Chinese scientists use a quantum computer to simulate a quantum phenomenon and find a way to better control quantum environments.
Scientists at the Institute of Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have directly observed and controlled prethermalisation – a temporary yet critical transition state in quantum systems. The research conducted using Chaung tzu 2.
0, a 78-qubit superconducting processor, paves the way for scientists to tune quantum decoherence, thereby allowing better control of quantum environments. Just like a stationary pendulum, when nudged, returns to its stationary state, a quantum system, too, when disturbed, returns to its balanced state. Any information or energy stored in the system begins to spread evenly and eventually is distributed. While this sounds normal, in quantum computing, it is a major challenge. Known as quantum decoherence, the process causes the quantum bit or qubit to lose its information. It can also stop computational results from being saved and retrieved.Quantum computer to the rescueAlthough scientists have long known about quantum decoherence, they have not yet figured out how it works. Part of the reason is that computing the time scale of quantum decoherence is beyond the capacity of today’s classical computers. So, researchers at the Institute of Physics decided to use Chaung tzu, a 78-qubit quantum computer, to understand the process. The team considers the function of Chaung tzu for quantum computing to be equivalent to that of a wind tunnel for fighter jets. “For a quantum system with nearly 100 bits, its state space is extremely vast, making full-state simulation with classical computers impractical,” explained Fan Heng, a professor at the Institute of Physics and who was involved in the work. “As a natural quantum system, a quantum processor can directly ‘evolve’ and reveal such complex dynamical laws.”PrethermalisationComputations using the Chaung tzu showed the researchers for the very first time, a counterintuitive intermediate stage of quantum decoherence called prethermalisation. The step is similar to when ice melts into water but its temperature remains stable at 32 degrees Fahrenheit . Similarly, during prethermalisation, the quantum system resists chaos and preserves the information stored therein. This provides an opportunity to preserve quantum information before decoherence sets in. “On Chuang-tzu 2.0, we clearly saw that chaos is held in check during the plateau,” added Fan, “But as soon as that period ends, complexity explodes and information floods the entire system. The existence of the prethermalisation plateau indicates a potential time window for utilising quantum information before it dissipates,” as reported by SCMP.The researchers also found that the stage, although transient, is highly controllable. They then used a tailored control sequence to manipulate the system, successfully adjusting both the pattern and the timing of the sequence. Much like adjusting the heat, the researchers were able to both increase and decrease the duration of prethermalisation. Understanding how thermalisation works will enable researchers to design quantum operations that they can control and help enhance the lifetime of quantum states. The researchers also hope their research will aid in designing better quantum correction schemes and extending the coherence time of the qubits. Additionally, the research demonstrates how quantum computers can help solve complex problems that classical computers cannot.
Quantum Computing Quantum Correction Quantum Decoherence Quantum Information Qubits Thermalisation
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