Suggesting that quantum computers might benefit from losing some
data, physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST) have entangled—linked the quantum properties of—two ions by
leaking judiciously chosen information to the environment.
Researchers usually strive to perfectly shield ions (charged atoms)
in quantum computing experiments from the outside world. Any "noise" or
interference, including heat generated by the experiment and
measurements that cause fragile quantum states to collapse, can ruin
data and prevent reliable logic operations, the conventional approach to
quantum information processing.
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| This is an artist's conception of a NIST experiment showing how
quantum computing might benefit from lost information. Two beryllium
ions (red), used as quantum bits or qubits to store information, were
"entangled" so that their properties were linked -- a useful feature for
quantum computing. Two partner magnesium ions (green) released heat to
the environment. Any unwanted information in the qubits was coupled to
the outgoing heat, leaving the qubits in the desired entangled state
(suggested by the hourglass).
Credit: Bertram/Motion Forge for NIST |