Quantum computing breakthrough slows information loss
Quantum researchers in China have demonstrated control over a fleeting stable phase that could help preserve information inside powerful quantum processors.
Chinese scientists have observed and controlled a rare intermediate state in a quantum system, effectively slowing quantum chaos. Using the 78-qubit Chuang Tzu 2.0 superconducting processor, researchers demonstrated how a temporary stable phase can be extended or shortened.
The team identified a prethermalisation plateau, a brief period during which the system resists disorder before rapidly descending into full complexity. Careful adjustment of control sequences enabled scientists to tune the rate of quantum decoherence and control how information spreads.
Findings, published in Nature, offer a potential window for preserving fragile quantum information. Longer coherence times could significantly improve the reliability of quantum computing and error correction methods.
Researchers say the work also highlights the advantage of quantum processors in simulating phenomena too complex for classical supercomputers. Applications may range from drug discovery and advanced materials research to next-generation secure communications.
Continued development of larger and more powerful quantum chips is now underway. Mastering such transitional states will be crucial to unlocking the full potential of quantum technologies.
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