New State of Matter Boosts Quantum Computation

Matthew Sparkes writes "In theory, quantum computers can be superior to classical computers for some kinds of problems; in practice their building blocks, qubits, are extremely fragile. Even a slight knock can destroy information. A radical solution to this problem was proposed in the 80's — instead of storing qubits in properties of particles, such as an electron's spin, it was suggested that qubits could be encoded into properties shared by the whole material, and so would be harder to disrupt. Unfortunately, no material with the needed properties existed. Scientists now think they have made a material in the lab, thought to be an example of a new state of matter, that might do the trick. It's an ultra-purified form of a mineral, herbertsmithite, first discovered in Chile in 1972. Its electrons are arranged in a triangular lattice. Researchers say it could become the silicon of the quantum computing era."

Comments

Herbertsmithite?

[tygerstripes]

Wow. I wonder who discovered the mineral...?

Re:Herbertsmithite?

[Ambitwistor]

It's named after its discoverer, H. Erbertsmithite.

Very cool material

[Gr8Apes]

Unfortunately, while TFA is descriptive and informative, it reads more like a PR than a scientific paper. It sounds like everything still needs to be verified. The headline is certainly misleading, as no experiments of any sort have been done to prove that they can do any of the manipulations that are required to advance quantum computing.

This is merely the very very early stages of basic research. Very interesting none the less.

New kind of matter?

[sxeraverx]

This hardly seems to be a new kind of matter (i.e., matter, dark matter, anti-matter), or even a new phase of matter (solid, liquid, gas, [plasma?]). The article means it's a new phase, as it talks between the difference between solid and liquid. However, it mentions electrons as the determining factor, where it's actually nuclei. Heck, in solid metal, atoms have a lattice structure, but valence electrons flow freely from one to another, which is what makes metals such good conductors. The only thing remarkable about this compound is that it is supposedly arranged in a new space group.

Rename the Valley Now

[WED Fan]

Herbertsmithite...[r]esearchers say it could become the silicon of the quantum computing era.

The new technology center, in the San Francisco Bay Area, formerly known as Silicon Valley has been rechristened "Herbertsmithite Valley". Stars are flocking to get the new Herbertsmithite Breast Implants (Quantum Boobies).

Wait.

Nevermind, don't think it will fly.