Harvard Researchers Demonstrate Topological Materials That May Protect Quibits from Decoherence

(Phys.org) Harvard University researchers have demonstrated the first material that can have both strongly correlated electron interactions and topological properties, thus paving the way for more stable quantum computing.
As it relates to quantum computing, strongly interacting topological materials may be able to protect qubits from forgetting their quantum state, a process called decoherence.
“If we could encode the quantum information in a topologically protected state, it is less susceptible to external noise that can accidentally switch the qubit,” said Jenny Hoffman, the Clowes Professor of Science and senior author of the paper. “Microsoft already has a large team pursuing topological quantum computation in composite materials and nanostructures. Our work demonstrates a first in a single topological material that harnesses strong electron interactions that might eventually be used for topological quantum computing.”