Todays quantum computer systems have actually emerged from the binary system, however the physical systems that encode their quantum bits (qubits) have the ability to encode quantum digits (qudits). According to experimental physicist Pavel Hrmo at ETH Zurich: “The difficulty for qudit-based quantum computer systems has actually been to effectively create entanglement in between the high-dimensional information providers.”
Essential to any computation on a quantum computer is quantum entanglement. Entanglement is one of the unique quantum functions that underpin the potential for quantum to greatly surpass classical computer systems in certain tasks.
Vacuum chamber with a microfabricated surface trap. Credit: Martin van Mourik
An unique approach to entangle high-dimensional quantum systems.
In the world of computing, information is typically perceived as being represented by a double star of zeros and ones. In our daily lives, we utilize a decimal system consisting of ten digits to represent numbers. The number 9 in binary is represented as 1001, needing 4 digits instead of simply one in the decimal system.
Todays quantum computer systems have actually emerged from the double star, but the physical systems that encode their quantum bits (qubits) have the ability to encode quantum digits (qudits) as well. This was just recently demonstrated by a group headed by Martin Ringbauer at the University of Innsbrucks Department of Experimental Physics. According to experimental physicist Pavel Hrmo at ETH Zurich: “The challenge for qudit-based quantum computer systems has been to efficiently create entanglement in between the high-dimensional details providers.”
In a study published on April 19, 2023, in the journal Nature Communications the team at the University of Innsbruck now reports, how 2 qudits can be totally knotted with each other with unmatched efficiency, leading the way for more efficient and effective quantum computers.
Thinking like a quantum computer
The example of the number 9 shows that, while human beings have the ability to calculate 9 x 9 = 81 in one single step, a classical computer system (or calculator) has to take 1001 x 1001 and carry out lots of steps of binary reproduction behind the scenes prior to it has the ability to display 81 on the screen. Classically, we can pay for to do this, but in the quantum world where computations are inherently sensitive to sound and external disruptions, we require to lower the variety of operations required to make the many of readily available quantum computer systems.
Essential to any computation on a quantum computer is quantum entanglement. Entanglement is among the distinct quantum functions that underpin the capacity for quantum to considerably exceed classical computer systems in specific tasks. Exploiting this prospective needs the generation of robust and precise higher-dimensional entanglement.
The natural language of quantum systems
The researchers at the University of Innsbruck were now able to totally entangle 2 qudits, each encoded in approximately 5 states of individual Calcium ions. This offers both theoretical and speculative physicists a brand-new tool to move beyond binary info processing, which could lead to faster and more robust quantum computers.
Martin Ringbauer describes: “Quantum systems have many readily available states waiting to be used for quantum computing, instead of limiting them to deal with qubits.” Much of todays most difficult issues, in fields as varied as optimization, chemistry, or physics, can take advantage of this more natural language of quantum computing.
Referral: “Native qudit entanglement in a trapped ion quantum processor” by Pavel Hrmo, Benjamin Wilhelm, Lukas Gerster, Martin W. van Mourik, Marcus Huber, Rainer Blatt, Philipp Schindler, Thomas Monz and Martin Ringbauer, 19 April 2023, Nature Communications.DOI: 10.1038/ s41467-023-37375-2.
The study was funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG, the European Research Council ERC, the European Union and the Federation of Austrian Industries Tyrol, to name a few.
