A breakthrough study has discovered a way to achieve universal quantum computation using anyon braiding alone, without the need for additional measurements or magic states. Researchers from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have proposed a new approach that leverages topological quantum computing and a previously overlooked type of particle called an α-type anyon.
In traditional quantum computing, anyons are used to perform computations by swapping their positions in space. This process, known as braiding, is inherently resistant to noise and error due to its dependence on the path taken by the anyons, rather than the exact timing or speed of their motion.
The new study introduces an α-type anyon into a broader mathematical framework, which generates Clifford gates that are insufficient for a general-purpose machine. However, by adding this extra particle, the researchers demonstrate that braiding alone becomes computationally complete.
The breakthrough is made possible by a non-traditional theory that extends the Ising toolkit enough to achieve universality. The α-type anyon plays a stationary role in the setup, keeping hardware demands modest and allowing for controlled operations with minimal leakage.
The study’s findings have significant implications for the development of reliable quantum computers. The researchers propose identifying real materials that can host the extra anyon, including fractional quantum Hall states and topological superconductors. Early-stage experiments could focus on spectroscopic signatures or interferometry patterns to detect the presence of an α-type particle.
If successful, this approach would provide a concrete path toward integrating neglectons into practical devices, strengthening the case for braided operations in controllable devices like superconducting circuits. The study’s authors call for further research on extending parameter ranges and developing efficient entangling gates within protected spaces.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/particle-that-could-change-quantum-computing-neglectons-ising-anyon-braiding