Scientists Solve Mystery of Quantum Computer Radiation Errors

Researchers have finally explained why superconducting quantum computers continue to undergo sudden widespread errors. These advanced machines are exposed to ionizing radiation from space and the surroundings. When radiation hits the silicon chip, it produces rogue particles called quasiparticles that disrupt the qubits.

To protect against this, scientists created an energy obstacle in the superconducting material. However, this defense was not perfect. A Google Quantum AI team discovered that even when quasiparticles cannot pass through the barriers, they still cause problems. They change the qubits' frequency by up to 3 MHz, causing them to lose coordination with the control signals. This leads to correlated phase errors, explaining why previous error-correction attempts hit a floor.

Sources: phys.org