acm-header
Sign In

Communications of the ACM

ACM TechNews

Observing Time Crystals


View as: Print Mobile App Share:

While the quantum simulation on the IBM quantum computer is still somewhat “noisy” with imperfections or interference, the researchers were still able to observe a time crystal in which the configuration of qubits kept repeating.

Credit: Getty Images

Researchers at Australia's University of Melbourne observed a time crystal in action, with the help of quantum computing technology.

Time crystals are a unique arrangement of particles in perpetual, repeating motion in both time and space.

Researchers are studying the use of time crystals as the basis for a new memory device for use with future quantum computers.

When building a time crystal, the individual components must be isolated from the environment to avoid thermalization; the components of quantum computers also need such isolation.

The researchers used IBM's Quantum Hub to turn a quantum computer into a time crystal.

Despite the "noisiness" of the quantum simulation on the IBM quantum computer, the researchers observed a time crystal in which the configuration of qubits perpetually repeated, meaning the system never forgets this initial state, so it never loses its memory.

From University of Melbourne (Australia)
View Full Article

 

Abstracts Copyright © 2022 SmithBucklin, Washington, DC, USA


 

No entries found

Sign In for Full Access
» Forgot Password? » Create an ACM Web Account