Quantum Leap in Measurement: Scientists Achieve Long-Distance Detection of Fragile Quantum States – Paving the Way for Robust Quantum Computing
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For decades, the promise of quantum computing has been tantalizingly close, yet hampered by a fundamental challenge: the extreme fragility of quantum states. These states, the building blocks of quantum information, are easily disrupted by even the slightest interference. Now, a team of researchers from the University of Hamburg and the University of Illinois Chicago has achieved a significant breakthrough, developing a novel technique to measure and control these delicate states over distances twenty times greater than previously possible – a crucial step towards building stable and scalable quantum computers.
(Keyword: Topological Quantum Computing – this is the long-term goal and a strong SEO term. Also, “Yu-Shiba-Ruzinov quasiparticles” is important for niche searchers.)
This groundbreaking research, published in Nature Physics, centers around hybrid materials combining magnets and superconductors. These materials exhibit fascinating quantum phenomena, but observing them without causing disruption has been a major hurdle. The team’s innovative approach utilizes a scanning tunneling microscope to create a “quantum enclosure” – a precisely engineered structure of silver atoms – that effectively shields the quantum state from external interference.
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Delving into the Quantum Realm: How the Breakthrough Works
The core of the innovation lies in the manipulation of what are known as Yu-Shiba-Ruzinov quasiparticles. These particles emerge when a magnetic atom is placed within a superconductor. Traditionally, detecting these quasiparticles required direct contact with the magnetic atom using the scanning tunneling microscope’s tip – a process that inevitably disturbed the quantum state.
Dr. Jens Wiebe, lead researcher from the University of Hamburg’s Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, and his team circumvented this problem by constructing a quantum enclosure from 91 silver atoms on a superconducting silver crystal. This enclosure was meticulously designed so that a specific quantum state of the silver electrons aligned with the Fermi energy, creating a unique “belly-shaped” energy landscape.
“Surprisingly,” explains Dr. Wiebe, “the Yu-Shiba-Rusinov quasiparticle could be measured at the furthest point of the quantum enclosure – the opposite ‘belly’ – without any noticeable decrease in its presence. This indicates a spatially coherent quantum state, extending far beyond the immediate vicinity of the magnetic atom.”
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This discovery isn’t just about extending the range of detection. The researchers demonstrated that they could control the properties of this delocalized quantum state by adjusting the size and shape of the quantum enclosure. This level of control is vital for manipulating quantum information.
The implications for topological quantum computing are particularly exciting. Topological quantum computers are theorized to be far more stable and resistant to errors than current quantum computing approaches. The team hopes to apply this technique to detect and manipulate Majorana quasiparticles – key components in building these next-generation computers.
Furthermore, the ability to control interactions between quasiparticles in multiple magnet-superconductor hybrids opens up possibilities for creating complex quantum systems with tailored properties.
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This breakthrough represents a significant leap forward in our ability to probe and manipulate the quantum world. By minimizing interference and maximizing control, researchers are bringing the dream of robust and scalable quantum computing one step closer to reality.
Learn more:
- Original Publication: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41567-025-03109-y
- University of Hamburg News: https://www.cui-advanced.uni-hamburg.de/research/wissenschaftsnews/25-11-26-quan…
- Contact: Dr. Jens Wiebe ([email protected])
