Scientists from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have announced another step in the race to develop the first quantum computer, touting the ability to build 3D atomic-scale quantum chips. The researchers from the Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T) at UNSW said they have demonstrated that atomic precision qubits can be built in a 3D device by using an atomic quantum bit (qubit) fabrication technique to multiply layers of a silicon crystal. Led by Professor Michelle Simmons, the researchers are the first to go public with the ability to demonstrate the feasibility of an architecture that uses atomic-scale qubits aligned to control lines -- which UNSW said are essentially very narrow wires -- inside a 3D design. Additionally, the team said it is able to align the different layers in their 3D device with nanometre precision, and also showed they can read out qubit states within one single measurement -- rather than having to rely on averaging out millions of experiments -- with very high fidelity. "This 3D device architecture is a significant advancement for atomic qubits in silicon. To be able to constantly correct for errors in quantum calculations -- an important milestone in our field -- you have to be able to control many qubits in parallel," Simmons said. "The only way to do this is to use a 3D architecture, so in 2015 we developed and patented a vertical crisscross architecture. However, there were still a series of challenges related to the fabrication of this multi-layered device. With this result we have now shown that engineering our approach in 3D is possible in the way we envisioned it a few years ago." More from UNSW: UNSW has found a way to access information stored within atoms UNSW unlocks qubit signal frequency control in quantum advancement | UNSW unveils complete design of a silicon quantum computer chip | Flip-flop qubits: UNSW conceives 'radical' quantum computing design | UNSW unlocks key to quantum coding in silicon The team also demonstrated how to build a second control plane on top of the first layer of qubits. In simple terms, CQC2T researcher and co-author of the research that was published in Nature Nanotechnology Dr Joris Keizer explained the team built the first plane, and then optimised a technique to grow the second layer without impacting the structures in the first layer. "In the past, critics would say that that's not possible because the surface of the second layer gets very rough, and you wouldn't be able to use our precision technique anymore -- however, in this paper, we have shown that we can do it, contrary to expectations," Keizer added. Simmons said the teams are working towards a large-scale architecture that will lead to the eventual commercialisation of the technology. "While we are still at least a decade away from a large-scale quantum computer, the work of CQC2T remains at the forefront of innovation in this space. Concrete results such as these reaffirm our strong position internationally." What a quantum computer is, and why it needs to be more It would be the harbinger of an entirely new medium of calculation, harnessing the inexplicable powers of subatomic particles to obliterate the barriers of time in solving incalculable problems. Your part in making it happen may simply be to convince yourself that black is white and up is down. What will you actually use quantum computing for? There's always a blue sky technology waiting in the wings, and for enterprise computing, quantum computing takes that role. With Satya Nadella convening a panel of Microsoft's best physicists at the end of his Ignite conference keynote, it's fair time to ask, what will this mean to the enterprise and how long will the adoption curve take? Australia's ambitious plan to win the quantum race Professor Michelle Simmons thinks Australia has what it takes to be the first to the finish line in the international quantum computing race. How AI and machine learning will help the rise of quantum computing (TechRepublic) When quantum computers come online, all encryption will fail. James Barratt explains how AI will aid the way for the emergence of quantum computing.
Researchers from the University of New South Wales said they had moved closer to the creation of the first quantum computer by producing 3D atomic-scale quantum bits (qubits). The researchers also said they had managed to precisely align the layers of the 3D device and analyse qubits with millions measurement, rather than taking an average from one of measurements. They added that they had shown how a second control plane could be built into the first qubit layer and that they were working towards commercialising the technology.