"Taming" Schrödinger's cat: Breakthrough in quantum computer development

Physicists at the University of Sussex have tamed one of the most counter-intuitive phenomena in modern science, taking a crucial step towards a new generation of computers that will revolutionize the way we solve many modern scientific problems.

Physicists often use a thought experiment to illustrate the mysterious and strange nature of quantum mechanics: Schrödinger's cat. In theory, Schrödinger's cat can be dead and alive at the same time.

Physicists at the University of Sussex have used new technology to successfully construct a special type of 'Schrödinger's cat' based on the trapping of ions and microwave radiation, according to a paper published this week in the journal Bulletin of Physics A.

Like cats, the researchers created an “entangled state” in which the ions exist in two states at once. This effect challenges reality itself.

These trapped ions could lead scientists toward a new class of machines that could tap into the power of quantum physics to solve problems with incredible efficiency.

Traditionally, scientists have used lasers to power this quantum process, but millions of stable laser beams must be carefully manipulated to coordinate with an equally large number of ions to construct valuable data.

However, it would be much easier to build a quantum computer if microwave radiation was used instead of lasers. This is like a microwave oven in your kitchen, which uses mature and reliable technology and emits radiation that can be easily spread over a large space.

Researchers at the University of Sussex have used microwave radiation instead of lasers to create ions in a ‘Schrödinger’s cat’ state, an important step towards the prospect of realising quantum computers.

Dr Winfried Hensinger, lead scientist at the Sussex research group, said: "It remains a huge challenge to build a large-scale quantum computer, but this achievement shows that we are making progress from the basic science towards a breakthrough technology that has the potential to change our lives."

Dr. Heisinger's research group, which includes two postdoctoral fellows and three doctoral students, spent two years developing this microwave radiation-based technology, which could greatly simplify the path to quantum computing.

"This achievement opens up completely new possibilities for realizing new quantum technologies," said Dr. Seb Weidt, one of the postdoctoral researchers in the research group.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.