NIST physicists have successfully teleported a quantum logic operation between two separated ions, a significant step towards building large-scale quantum computers. The team demonstrated teleportation of a quantum controlled-NOT (CNOT) operation between two beryllium ions located 340 micrometers apart in separate zones of an ion trap. This is the first time a complete quantum logic operation has been teleported between ions, a leading candidate for quantum computer architecture.
The process relies on entanglement, where quantum properties of particles are linked even when separated. A “messenger” pair of entangled magnesium ions transfers information between the beryllium ions. The NIST team achieved a 95% success rate in entangling the magnesium ions, while the full logic operation succeeded 85-87% of the time.
This breakthrough integrates several essential operations for building large-scale ion-based quantum computers, including control of different ions, ion transport, and entangling operations. The research has implications for future quantum networks and could help solve complex problems that are currently intractable.
Keywords: Teleportation, Quantum, Qubits, Entanglement, Logic Gate
