Researchers at NIST have demonstrated a “quantum square dance” involving thousands of rubidium atoms, where pairs of atoms exchange their internal spin states. This spin swapping, which lasts just 10 milliseconds, could potentially be used in quantum computers to perform logic operations. The experiment advances the use of neutral atoms as quantum bits (qubits) for storing and processing data in quantum computers.
The key technical points are:
1. Spin swapping between pairs of atoms creates entanglement, a quantum phenomenon that links the atoms’ properties even when they are physically separated.
2. The process is a way of creating logical connections among data, crucial in any computer.
3. The experiment was performed with about 60,000 rubidium atoms in a Bose-Einstein condensate, trapped within a three-dimensional grid of light formed by three pairs of infrared laser beams.
4. The researchers are continuing to work on improving the reliability of each step and on completing the logic operation by separating atoms after they interact.
The potential impact of this research is significant, as it advances the development of quantum computers, which could theoretically solve certain problems much faster than today’s best supercomputers. The research was funded in part by the Disruptive Technology Office, the Office of Naval Research and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Keywords: spin, swap, entanglement, qubits, logic
