Revolutionary Entanglement Breakthrough Connects Atomic Cores: A Major Step Towards Advancing Quantum Computing

Quantum entanglement has fascinated both scientists and the public for years. Once called “spooky action at a distance” by Einstein, it’s now a key feature for quantum computers. These machines, though still in early development, promise to tackle tasks that traditional computers can’t, such as simulating complex molecular structures.

In recent research published in Science, my colleagues and I achieved quantum entanglement between two atomic nuclei that are just 20 nanometers apart. This breakthrough may change the future of quantum computing by providing a reliable system for storing quantum information.

One major challenge in developing quantum computers is finding a balance between stability and control. Quantum bits, or qubits, are very delicate. They need protection from external noise, but they also require a way to interact with one another for effective computation. Different types of hardware are being tested to meet these competing needs. Some are designed for speed but struggle with noise, while others are less prone to interference but harder to scale up.

Our research centered on a method involving phosphorus atoms implanted in silicon chips. By using the intrinsic spin of these atoms, we encoded quantum information. Historically, working with multiple atomic nuclei has been difficult. Previously, they had to be very close together, which limited scalability and control.

Think of it this way: before our work, it was like placing people in soundproof rooms. They could communicate clearly, but only if they were in the same room. Now, thanks to our method, these “people” can use “telephones”—the electrons—to communicate across distances.

This new capability allows for entangled nuclei to interact through shared electrons, even if they are not physically close. We adopted a technique called the “geometric gate,” which we previously used for high-precision quantum tasks. For the first time, we applied this method in silicon, enabling entanglement beyond pairs of nuclei connected to the same electron.

At just 20 nanometers apart, our phosphorus nuclei are closer together than most silicon transistors used in everyday technology. However, this is the scale that allows us to integrate our qubits into existing silicon chip designs, like those found in smartphones and computers. Looking ahead, we aim to increase this entanglement distance further, potentially improving the efficiency and power of quantum devices.

The growing interest in quantum technology is evident. Recent statistics show that the global quantum computing market is projected to reach over $60 billion by 2030. Renowned tech leaders like IBM and Google are investing heavily in quantum research, signaling its importance in the future of computing.

As quantum computers evolve, they could fundamentally transform fields from drug discovery to artificial intelligence. This research helps us take crucial steps toward that vision, making quantum computing more feasible and impactful for various industries.

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