Insider Brief:
- Researchers at FAU, led by Prof. Dr. Vojislav Krstić, are working towards high-temperature qubits using topological insulators to create smaller, energy-efficient quantum computers potentially suitable for everyday use.
- The project explores nanoscale manipulation of topological insulators to overcome the reliance on low-temperature qubits and complex cooling systems that currently limit quantum computing’s practicality and affordability.
- By reducing energy demands and improving accessibility, the research supports sustainable technology development and envisions applications ranging from portable devices to energy-efficient systems in cars and medical AI.
PRESS RELEASE — According to a recent release, Researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) have launched a project to bring quantum computing closer to everyday life by developing a device the size of a smartphone. Led by physicist Prof. Dr. Vojislav Krstić at the Institute of Condensed Matter Physics, the team will work towards creating qubits that function at higher temperatures. This effort could effectively reduce the size and energy demands of quantum computers, potentially integrating them into a wide range of practical applications. The project has received over €900,000 (approximately $923,000) in funding for a two-year research period.
ADDRESSING A QUANTUM LIMITATION WITH TOPOLOGICAL INSULATORS
Current quantum systems rely on qubits that operate only at extremely low temperatures, near absolute zero. This necessitates the use of complex and energy-intensive cooling systems, making quantum computers expensive, bulky, and inaccessible for everyday use.
As reported in the release Prof. Dr. Krstić further emphasizes thus challenge: “In order to integrate quantum computers into everyday life, we have to find electrically addressable qubits that still work stably at higher temperatures.”
In order to overcome this challenge and potentially achieve a system that would bring quantum computers to every day life, the research will focus on a class of materials known as topological insulators. These insulators exhibit unique properties that make them resilient to external disturbances and efficient at transmitting information. While these materials have been extensively studied at macroscopic scales, the FAU team plans to explore their potential as qubits by manipulating their structure at the nanoscale.
IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Beyond advancing technology, the project emphasizes sustainability. Quantum computers that do not require extensive cooling infrastructure would consume less energy and could be deployed more widely, from AI-driven medical devices to portable laptops. This aligns with the growing need for energy-efficient solutions amidst global climate challenges.
“If we now reduce the structure of these materials to only a few nanometers in size and break specific symmetries, this will change their energetic properties and we should be able to use them as qubits,” Krstić goes on to explain. “This adjustment could allow us to use them as qubits that function at higher temperatures. That is a major challenge. However, if it leads to us finding a qubit that works at higher temperatures, that would be an exciting breakthrough. For example, quantum computers could be integrated into cars to regulate energy supply.”
The funding will support staff costs, specialized equipment, and materials essential to the project. Over two years, the team intends to contribute meaningful advancements to international quantum computing research and demonstrate the potential for topological insulators to be used for more sustainable, accessible, and practical quantum computing devices.
