Researchers at the University of New South Wales are touting another breakthrough in quantum computing. They have encoded quantum information in silicon using simple electrical impulses. It’s one of many advances the UNSW team has been working on over the past few years as they endeavour to bring the construction of affordable large-scale quantum computers a step closer to reality. Associate professor, Andrea Morello from UNSW’s School of Engineering and Telecommunications, said his team had realised a new control method for future quantum computers. The researchers demonstrated that a highly coherent qubit – like the spin of a phosphorous atom in isotopically-enriched silicon can be controlled using electric fields instead of using pulses of oscillating magnetic fields. Professor Morello said the method works by distorting the shape of the electron cloud attached to the atom using a very localised electric field. “This distortion at the atomic level has the effect of modifying the frequency at which the electron responds,” said Professor Morello. “Therefore, we can selectively choose which qubit to operate. It’s a bit like selecting which radio station we tune to by turning a simple knob. Here, the knob is the voltage applied to a small electrode placed above the atom.” UNSW said the key to the success of this electrical control method is the placement of qubits inside a thin layer of specifically purified silicon, containing only the silicon-28 isotope. This isotope is perfectly non-magnetic and unlike those naturally occurring in silicon, does not disturb the quantum bit, Professor Morello said. The findings suggest that it would be possible to locally control individual qubits with electric fields in a large-scale quantum computer using only inexpensive voltage generators rather than expensive high-frequency microwave sources, the researchers said. This specific type of quantum bit can be manufactured using a similar technology to that employed for the production of everyday computers, reducing time and cost of development. Follow CIO Australia on Twitter and Like us on Facebook… Twitter: @CIO_Australia, Facebook: CIO Australia, or take part in the CIO conversation on LinkedIn: CIO Australia Follow Byron Connolly on Twitter:@ByronConnolly Related content brandpost Sponsored by SAP What goes well with Viña Concha y Toro wines? Meat, fish, poultry, and SAP Viña Concha y Toro, a wine producer that distributes to more than 140 countries worldwide, paired its operation with the SAP Business Technology Platform to enhance its operation and product. By Tom Caldecott, SAP Contributor Dec 04, 2023 4 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by Azul How to maximize ROI by choosing the right Java partner for your organization Choosing the right Java provider is a critical decision that can have a significant impact on your organization’s success. By asking the right questions and considering the total cost of ownership, you can ensure that you choose the best Java p By Scott Sellers Dec 04, 2023 5 mins Application Management brandpost Sponsored by DataStax Ask yourself: How can genAI put your content to work? Generative AI applications can readily be built against the documents, emails, meeting transcripts, and other content that knowledge workers produce as a matter of course. By Bryan Kirschner Dec 04, 2023 5 mins Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence feature The CIO’s new role: Orchestrator-in-chief CIOs have unique insight into everything that happens in a company. Some are using that insight to take on a more strategic role. By Minda Zetlin Dec 04, 2023 12 mins CIO C-Suite Business IT Alignment Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe