Physicists at the University of Colorado created a quantum game for a quantum computer. They published their work in Physical Review Letters.

The game runs on the Quantinuum System Model H1, a device that controls qubits. Qubits are hard to control because small changes, like temperature shifts, disrupt them. The researchers arranged qubits into a special pattern called a topological phase. This pattern acts like knots, keeping qubits stable.

The game mimics a mathematical puzzle where players fill a grid with zeros and ones. Players win by creating specific patterns. Normally, players can’t communicate during the game, making winning hard. Quantum physics helps by using entangled particles. Entangled particles connect so that measuring one affects the other, even far apart. This connection, often called pseudotelepathy, helps players coordinate answers. The researchers used ytterbium ions as qubits in the H1 computer. They arranged the ions in a grid to form a topological order, where all qubits entangle in a stable pattern.

Stable patterns improve reliability

This topological order resists disruptions, unlike typical qubit setups. The researchers played the game by measuring qubits. They won about 95% of the time, even with added disturbances. The stable pattern allowed consistent wins, showing the computer’s reliability. The game itself won’t solve real problems, but it proves quantum computers can handle complex tasks without errors. This stability could help quantum computers grow larger and perform tasks like designing drugs or studying tiny particles.

The researchers sent commands to the H1 computer online. The chip, small enough to hold in your hand, controls up to 20 qubits. The experiment shows quantum computers can maintain complex patterns under real conditions. This work suggests quantum computers could soon outpreform traditional computers in practical challenges. By using topological patterns, scientists can make quantum devices more robust and scalable for future technologies.

“This study is proof of principle that there is something that quantum devices can already do that outperforms the best available classical strategy, and in a way that’s robust and scalable,” said researcher Rahul Nandkishore in a press release.

Let us know your thoughts! Sign up for a Mindplex account now, join our Telegram, or follow us on Twitter.