Discovery in quantum computing shows promise for silicon ‘qubits’

A discovery by Princeton physicists is paving the way for silicon-based technologies in quantum computing, especially as quantum bits — the basic units of quantum computers.

Why it matters: Silicon is a naturally abundant element, which is why it is found in everyday materials from sand to computer chips. But as much as manufacturers might like to build quantum bits from silicon, the science hasn’t caught up — yet. Instead, some major companies have made their computers based on superconducting qubits, which don’t last as long and are extremely large. Silicon qubits last a long time and could be more accessible to mass-produce, but until now, silicon qubits have been a bit of an underdog technology.

They may finally be getting their day through work from Jason Petta’s group and others in this field, said Adam Mills, a graduate student in Petta’s lab at the Department of Physics at Princeton University and the lead author of a recently published paper in the journal Science Advances. “It’s looking like a big year for silicon overall.”