Key Points
- Scientists found a way to make a promising but limited type of quantum computer fully powerful.
- The breakthrough involves adding one new type of particle, nicknamed a “neglecton.”
- The “neglecton” was discovered in a mathematical framework that was previously considered “useless trash.”
- The new system cleverly works around mathematical instabilities by “quarantining” them away from the computation.
Scientists have found a potential solution to one of the biggest problems in quantum computing: how to build a machine that is both powerful and stable. The breakthrough uses a new type of particle, nicknamed a “neglecton,” which was discovered in a corner of mathematics that most researchers had previously ignored as useless.
Published in Nature Communications, the new method improves on a leading approach called topological quantum computing, which uses exotic particles called “anyons.” These particles are naturally resistant to errors, but the most promising type, “Ising anyons,” is limited. Moving them around each other to perform calculations wasn’t enough to create a fully universal computer capable of solving any problem.
The research team, led by scientists at USC, discovered that by adding just one stationary “neglecton” to the mix, the system could perform any quantum computation.
The key came from a mathematical framework that other physicists had largely discarded. “It’s like finding treasure in what everyone else thought was mathematical garbage,” explained researcher Aaron Lauda. This new math, however, came with its problems—it had some “unstable” parts that violated the normal rules of quantum mechanics.
The team cleverly worked around this by designing their system to “quarantine” the problems. “Think of it like designing a quantum computer in a house with some unstable rooms,” Lauda said. They ensured that computing only occurs in the “structurally sound” areas.
This discovery moves us a step closer to building a universal quantum computer using particles that scientists are already working with. The next step is to find a way to create this new “neglecton” in a real-world material.
