Quantum computers hold enormous promise, but they are still far from dependable. Their biggest weakness is instability, which causes the information they process to quickly break down. Researchers around the world are working to solve this problem, including a team in Norway.
“In quantum computers, information is transmitted and stored using so-called qubits (quantum bits). But quantum information can quickly be lost,” said Jeroen Danon, a professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Department of Physics.
Why Quantum Computers Lose Information
A key challenge has been figuring out exactly how fast this information disappears. Without that knowledge, it is difficult to improve the performance and reliability of quantum systems.
“In the widely used superconducting qubits, the time it takes for information to disappear is, on average, reasonable. But it seems to vary randomly over time,” explained Danon.
That unpredictability creates a major obstacle. Scientists have lacked a fast and dependable way to measure how long qubits can hold information. Solving this issue is essential if quantum computers are ever going to become stable enough for practical use.
A New Way To Measure Qubit Stability
Danon and his colleagues believe they have found a solution.
“In collaboration with an international team led by the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen, we have developed a new measurement method. It enables us to measure the time it takes to lose information with unparalleled speed and accuracy,” Danon said.
Measuring Quantum Data Loss 100 Times Faster
Until now, measuring how long quantum information lasts typically took about one second. In the world of quantum physics, that is an extremely long time.
“We managed to do it in approximately 10 milliseconds, i.e. more than 100 times faster. And more or less in real time,” Danon said.
This dramatic improvement allows researchers to track how information fades as it happens. It also reveals subtle, rapid changes that were previously impossible to detect.
“This will in turn make it easier to identify the underlying causes that make the information disappear,” he said.
What This Means for Quantum Computing
The new approach could reshape how scientists test and fine-tune quantum processors. By better understanding the tiny processes that limit performance, researchers can work toward more stable and reliable machines.
That progress brings quantum computing one step closer to reaching its full potential.