How QuTech’s Exotic Discovery is Reviving Quantum Computing?

Researchers from QuTech has discovered 2D qubits to enable scalable quantum computing

The power of quantum computing today surpasses the traditional computers and this technology will turn beneficial for several industries. Researchers have been ardently trying to take quantum mechanics from science and fiction and make it a reality. Now we are at a stage where quantum computing is already being applied in many functions across various sectors. The Global Quantum Computing Market report reveals that the quantum computing market is projected to grow by USD 7.35 billion during 2021-2025.

This is the scenario wherein QuTech has come up with path breaking discoveries to achieve scalable quantum computing through semiconductor two-dimensional qubits.

2D Qubits Are Now a Reality

On 24th March, a research group that includes QuTech Academy Lead, Menno Velhorst published a paper on Nature titled "A four-qubit germanium quantum processor." This paper demonstrates a four-qubit quantum processor connected using a germanium quantum dots semiconductor in a two-by-two grid. According to the paper, "Qubit logic is implemented all-electrically and the exchange interaction can be pulsed to freely program one-qubit, two-qubit, three-qubit, and four-qubit operations, resulting in a compact and highly connected circuit."

Qubits, the basic ingredient for quantum technology, is hailed for their unique superposition and entanglement properties. Although, achieving scalability has always been a bottleneck in quantum computing. Considering the restricted conditions under which quantum computations work, scaling up qubits have always been a challenge.  The nascent discovery by QuTech will ensure scalable quantum computing by enabling entanglement and connectivity of a larger number of qubits.

QuTech revealed that this innovation will break the barrier that restricts scalability beyond two-qubits.

The computing method with 2D qubits will clear this limitation. Their germanium quantum dots will define the qubits and ensure their coupling as if it occurs in a sequence of reactions. QuTech in its report claims that the quantum dot qubits can be a promising step towards a scalable approach as they can be defined using standard semiconductor manufacturing techniques.

This revolutionary research towards scalable quantum computing could finally answer the looming doubts over quantum supremacy. Quantum computing qubit in the germanium grid can also eliminate the challenge of single-spin rotations that are time-consuming. As QuTech mentions about the versatility of germanium and its capability of spin-orbit coupling, it becomes significant that this might enable the manipulation of qubits and enhance the scalability.

What is QuTech Upto?

QuTech works on a mission to develop scalable prototypes of a quantum computer and is working towards widening the reach of the quantum internet. The company houses QuTech Academy to educate students and professionals about quantum computing and instill them with in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience on building a quantum computer and the internet. QuTech founded in 2014 is a collaborative brainchild of Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). As per Qutech, their research and engineering activities are focused on qubit research, quantum internet, and quantum computing.

Apart from the abovementioned development, QuTech has been pioneering many research and discoveries in the field of quantum. Last year, QuTech collaborated with Intel in research which revealed that they can now control the 'hot qubits' at a temperature greater than 1Kelvin. This opens new avenues for quantum computing since it used to work only in vacuums and millikelvins.