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Breakthrough in Quantum Computing: Teleportation of a Logical Qubit Achieved
In a remarkable advancement within the realm of quantum computing, engineers and physicists at Quantinuum have successfully conducted the first teleportation of a logical qubit utilizing fault-tolerant techniques. This groundbreaking achievement is detailed in their recently published paper in the journal Science.
A persistent challenge in the quest to create functional quantum computers has been the prevalence of errors that occur during computation processes. Logical qubits offer a promising solution to mitigate these errors by allowing the use of multiple physical qubits to represent a single logical qubit, thus enhancing reliability.
The research team implemented their teleportation experiments using an H2 trapped-ion quantum processor, which facilitates the transmission of quantum data encoded in entangled physical qubits.
Logical qubits exhibit reduced sensitivity to noise and can be encoded with error-correcting codes, making them more robust than their physical counterparts. However, the intricacies involved in teleporting information through quantum entanglement pose a significant challenge. To navigate these complexities, the researchers explored two distinct methodologies: transversal gates and lattice surgery.
The transversal method involves simultaneous operations across multiple qubits, enabling more efficient process manipulation and quicker teleportation outcomes. Conversely, the lattice surgery technique focuses on altering the qubit boundaries to perform operations, which enhances compatibility across different quantum architectures.
While both methods proved effective for transmitting logical qubits, the study highlighted certain limitations. Notably, the lattice surgery approach demonstrated lower fidelity compared to the transversal method in its implementation.
To maintain high accuracy during the teleportation process, the research team employed real-time decoding through the Steane code, applying error correction at strategic points throughout the procedure. This innovative approach marks a significant milestone as it represents the first successful demonstration of teleporting logical qubits using fault-tolerant methods.
Quantinuum’s research is a pivotal step forward in the ongoing development of practical quantum computers, bringing scientists closer to realizing the full potential of quantum technology.
More information: C. Ryan-Anderson et al, High-fidelity teleportation of a logical qubit using transversal gates and lattice surgery, Science (2024). DOI: 10.1126/science.adp6016
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phys.org