Quantum computers are potentially revolutionary for many scientific and engineering fields, performing calculations and solving problems in a fraction of the time taken by even the most powerful current conventional supercomputers. The importance of quantum computing has led to many experts declaring that it is the next frontier in Information Technology that could spur significant technological progress.
However, there are a number of key challenges associated with quantum computing. One of them is that quantum computers require stable qubits that maintain quantum coherence.
Quantum coherence is the ability of the qubits within a quantum system to remain in superposition. This allows the system to exist simultaneously in multiple states rather than the simple 1 or 0 of conventional binary systems, therefore allowing a quantum computer to perform calculations exponentially faster than traditional computers.1
Additionally, quantum computers need to operate with high efficiency at temperatures near absolute zero, requiring huge amounts of energy. A major focus in quantum computing today is designing energy-efficient, eco-friendly quantum systems for the future. Quantum refrigerators represent a significant breakthrough in tackling these critical challenges.
Quantum refrigerators help maintain the ultra-cold temperatures necessary for quantum computers to function efficiently and maintain quantum coherence. Whilst they perform well, there is room for improvement.
Scientists from the University of Maryland and Chalmers University of Technology have developed a new kind of quantum refrigeration technology that can be used in conjunction with current systems and provides much lower temperatures (22 millikelvin above absolute zero compared to 50 millikelvins achieved by current systems) for efficient quantum computations.2
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