Google Quantum AI researchers inspect the arrays of superconducting circuits that comprise the system they used to develop a new method of what’s called topological quantum computation. (Source: Rocco Ceseln via Spectrum IEEE)

Google Joins with Quantinuum on Topology Project for Quantum Computing

According to a story on IEEE Spectrum, the ability of Google’s AI quantum research division to create a quantum “roadmap” that corrects errors may be possible through a joint venture with the Broomfield, CO-based start-up Quantinuum.

According to the story, the project involves pinpointing a quasiparticle called a “non-Abelian anyon.”

“The hunt for the best quantum error-correction systems today takes many forms. Quantum error-scrubbing prototypes, techniques, and inventions regularly emerge from labs, startups, and aspiring quantum-computing behemoths around the world. But a new development harnesses a long-elusive quasiparticle whose behaviors might be bent to suit the most pressing needs of the perpetually finicky qubit. Two companies—Google’s Quantum AI unit and the Broomfield, Colo.–based startup Quantinuum—now vie for discovery rights to a quantum entity called the non-Abelian anyon.”

The importance of the quasiparticle is that it can access quantum logic operations and isn’t affected by thermal and environmental noise. Ultimately, this means a measure of control and a “map” or topology of quantum operations and their “knots or twists.” Previously, the quasiparticle was just a theory.

The Google Quantum AI team­ and an international consortium of collaborators published a paper in Nature this month—having first uploaded it to the Arxiv server last October. This group also reported the creation of non-Abelian anyons of a different sort.

read more at spectrum.ieee.org/