Researchers from Rutgers University and IBM have demonstrated a method for quantum computers to detect and correct errors in real-time without halting operations. The study, published in Nature Physics, marks a step toward building fault-tolerant quantum systems.
The experiment utilized the IBM Quantum Heron processor, which features 156 qubits. The team programmed a chain of 100 qubits to alternate between two competing tasks, effectively creating a cycle of intentional disorder and subsequent restoration of order.
The researchers discovered that the system achieves stability through a phase transition. By performing frequent checks on the qubits, the group shifted from a chaotic state to a stable, controlled state, similar to water freezing into ice.
The project originated from a 2021 discussion between physicists Jedediah Pixley and Sriram Ganeshan regarding the application of classical physics laws to quantum effects. The successful experimental validation confirms that hardware can sustain thousands of consecutive corrections.
