Two teams use neutral atoms to create quantum circuits

(Phys.org) Two teams of researchers working independently have shown the viability of using neutral atoms to create quantum circuits—both have published outlines of their work in the journal Nature. Bob Yirka of Phys.org discussed the work and implications. IQT-News summarizes below.
One of the groups, with members from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, ColdQuanta and Riverlane, successfully ran an algorithm on a cold atom quantum computer for the first time. The second group, with members from Harvard, MIT, QuEra Computing Inc., the University of Innsbruck and the Austrian Academy of Sciences, showed that it was possible to build a quantum processor based on coherent transport of entangled atom arrays.
As research into building a true and useable quantum computer has progressed, multiple designs have evolved—the two leading contenders involve the use of qubits based either on trapped ions or electrostatic fields. But both approaches have proven difficult to scale up to large systems. Because of that, some researchers have turned to studying the possibility of using neutral atoms in such a computer.
The work by both teams suggests that using neutral atoms to create quantum circuits is a viable option for further research focused on creating a working quantum computer.

Sandra K. Helsel, Ph.D. has been researching and reporting on frontier technologies since 1990. She has her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona.