Exploring the area of quantum computing, physicists in the US have built a quantum gate from neutral atoms, rather than ions. Currently, small programs are able to be run with up to eight ions in ‘traps’. However, a quantum computer will need more entangled structures or quantum bits, also known as qubits, to be useful. The present ion based system presents challenges for scaling up because ions react with each other and their environment, which makes them difficult to control.

Professor Mark Saffman of the University of Wisconsin-Madison comments, “Neutral atoms have the advantage that in their ground state they do not talk to each other, so you can put more of them in a small region without them interacting with each other and causing problems. This is a step towards creating larger systems.”

The physicists are now working towards arrays of up to 50 atoms.

If you would like to receive news like this direct to your inbox, subscribe to CSfD's free quarterly newsletter by e mailing your details to sales@csfd.co.uk.