Recently, Hitachi announced a major breakthrough in the field of quantum computing, successfully developing a new quantum manipulation technology that can increase the lifetime of qubits to more than 100 times the previous level. This development not only marks Hitachi's leading position in quantum computing, but also has a profound impact on the industry as a whole.
Technological breakthroughs: Hitachi's path to innovation
Hitachi's "silicon-based semiconductor electronic spin qubit" technology route has been highly anticipated for its compatibility with existing semiconductor processes. However, the problem of noise generated by the spin of semiconductor nuclei has always been a problem to improve the stability of qubits. Hitachi has successfully overcome this obstacle with its innovative "Cascade Continuous Drive" technology. According to Hitachi, this technology can make qubits more than 100 times longer than before, and although the exact number has not been disclosed, this statement has attracted a lot of attention in the industry.
How to achieve: Coordination of phase modulation with orthogonal axis of rotation
The key to Hitachi's technological realization is the precise phase modulation of the microwaves that manipulate the qubits. With this method, the researchers were able to manipulate the qubits on two orthogonal axes of rotation, effectively reducing the effect of external noise on the electron spin. The innovation of this manipulation is that it allows the qubits to maintain their quantum state for a longer period of time, significantly increasing the coherence time of the qubits.
Figure: Hitachi's new quantum manipulation technology increases the lifetime of qubits by more than 100 times the previous level
Industry Implications: Accelerating the practical application of quantum computing
The improvement of the lifetime of qubits is directly related to the computing power and reliability of quantum computers. For example, the Beijing Institute of Quantum Information Science announced that its superconducting qubits had a decoherence time of 503 microseconds, a world record at the time. Hitachi's breakthrough means that the lifetime of qubits can be further increased to a whole new order of magnitude, which is essential for implementing more complex quantum algorithms and quantum error correction.
Future outlook: Widespread applications of quantum computing
The potential applications of quantum computers are extremely wide-ranging. In the field of drug discovery, quantum computers can simulate the quantum behavior of molecules and accelerate the development of new drugs. In materials science, quantum computers are able to accurately calculate the physical properties of materials, driving the discovery of new materials. This technological breakthrough by Hitachi is expected to revolutionize these fields.
Overall, Hitachi's new quantum manipulation technology not only theoretically demonstrates a significant increase in the lifetime of qubits, but also opens the door to practical applications of quantum computing. As technology continues to mature and quantum algorithms evolve further, there is reason to believe that quantum computers will revolutionize the way we work and live in the coming decades. Hitachi's achievement is not only a transcendence of existing technologies, but also a far-reaching investment in future technologies.
