Scientists have created the world’s first mechanical qubit, a tiny system that stores quantum information using vibrations instead of electric currents or light. This breakthrough could lead to ultra-precise gravity-sensing technology and more stable quantum computers.
A qubit is the fundamental unit of quantum information, unlike classical computer bits. In traditional qubits made from superconducting circuits, charged atoms, or light particles, these properties are difficult to control due to the principles of quantum mechanics. However, a new mechanical qubit uses phonons – quasiparticles representing vibrational energy – generated by vibrations in a precisely engineered sapphire crystal.
The challenge was to create unevenly spaced energy levels in the resonator that can be isolated and controlled. Researchers overcame this by coupling a sapphire crystal resonator with a superconducting qubit, tuning them to interact at slightly offset frequencies. This resulted in “anharmonicity,” enabling the isolation of two distinct energy states.
While the mechanical qubit’s fidelity is currently just 60%, it has potential advantages, such as interacting with forces like gravity and storing quantum information for longer periods. Researchers aim to link multiple mechanical qubits together to perform basic calculations, marking a key step toward practical applications.
This breakthrough could pave the way for highly sensitive sensor technologies capable of detecting subtle changes in gravity, and more stable quantum computers that can maintain coherence over longer periods. The study was published in the journal Science on November 14.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/technology/computing/worlds-1st-mechanical-qubit-uses-no-light-or-electronics-it-could-lead-to-ultra-precise-gravity-sensing-tech