The promise of quantum computers is huge. Researchers could use these devices to perform complex computations at lightning speed.
Classical computers store information in bits, which are either 0 or 1. The nature of qubits makes them different from quantum computers. They can be both 0 and 1 at the same time. A classical computer can process information at a slower rate than a quantum computer.
There is a negative. Qubits are vulnerable. Their states change very quickly because of environmental factors such as temperature. A way to correct these errors in real-time has been a challenge for researchers. QEC schemes are used to correct quantum errors.
Dr. Sangkha Borah is a researcher in the quantum machines unit at the OIST. We could have usable quantum computers very soon if we can figure out how to perform QEC.
A new error correction technique was recently published in Physical Review Research by Dr. Borah and his colleagues at OIST.
A collection of multiple qubits can be made using a quantum mechanical property. Syndrome measurements are used to detect errors in the qubits. The two closest qubits are aligned in the same direction. The measurement results can be used to detect and correct the error in the qubits.
Errors they fail to catch and correct in real time result in a rapid loss of information stored in the qubits. The projective measurement approach is used to get the syndromes. This approach requires more than one qubit.
Continuous measurement was used by Dr. Borah and his colleagues. It can be done much more quickly than a conventional projective measurement. The measurement-based estimator scheme for continuous quantum error correction was developed by them. A classical computer is set up to act as an outside controller, estimating errors in the quantum system and applying feedback to correct them.
The QEC scheme is based on a theoretical model that needs to be tested on a quantum computer. Real-time simulation of the estimator becomes slower as the number of qubits increases.
Dr. Borah hopes that other people in the field will take up the problem.
More information: Sangkha Borah et al, Measurement-based estimator scheme for continuous quantum error correction, Physical Review Research (2022). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.033207
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