Errors are the bugbear of quantum computing, and they’re hard to avoid. While quantum computers derive their computational clout from the fact that their qubits can simultaneously court multiple values, the fragility of qubit states ramps up their error rates. Many research groups are therefore seeking to reduce or manage errors so they can increase the number of qubits without reducing the whole enterprise to gibberish.
A team at the US-based firm Atom Computing is now reporting substantial success in this area thanks to a multi-part strategy for keeping large numbers of qubits operational in quantum processors based on neutral atoms. “These capabilities allow for the execution of more complex, longer circuits that are not possible without them,” says Matt Norcia, one of the Atom Computing researchers behind this work.
While neutral atoms offer several advantages over other qubit types, they traditionally have significant drawbacks for one of the most common approaches to error correction. In this approach, some of the entangled qubits are set aside as so-called “ancillaries”, used for mid-circuit measurements that can indicate how a computation is going and what error correction interventions may be necessary.
In neutral-atom quantum computing, however, such interventions are generally destructive. Atoms that are not in their designated state are simply binned off – a profligate approach that makes it challenging to scale up atom-based computers. The tendency to discard atoms is particularly awkward because the traps that confine atoms are already prone to losing atoms, which introduces additional errors while reducing the number of atoms available for computations.
As well as demonstrating protocols for performing measurements to detect errors in quantum circuits with little atom loss, the researchers at Atom Computing also showed they could re-use ancillary atoms – a double-pronged way of retaining more atoms for calculations. In addition, they demonstrated that they could replenish the register of atoms for the computation from a spatially separated stash in a magneto-optic trap without compromising the quantum state of the atoms already in the register.
Norcia says that these achievements — replacing atoms from a continuous source, while reducing the number of atoms needing replacement to begin with — are key to running computations without running out of atoms. “To our knowledge, any useful quantum computations will require the execution of many layers of gates, which will not be possible unless the atom number can be maintained at a steady-state level throughout the computation,” he tells Physics World.
Norcia and his collaborators at Microsoft Quantum, the Colorado School of Mines and Stanford University worked with ytterbium (Yb) atoms, which he describes as “natural qubits” since they have two ground states. A further advantage is that the transitions between these qubit states and other states used for imaging and cooling are weak, meaning the researchers could couple just one qubit state to these other states at a time. The team also leveraged a previously-developed approach for mid-circuit measurement that scatters light from only one qubit state and does not disturb the other, making it less destructive.
Still, Norcia tells Physics World, “the challenge was to re-use atoms, and key to this was cooling and performance.” To this end, they first had to shift the atoms undergoing mid-circuit measurements away from the atoms in the computational register, to avoid scattering laser light off the latter. They further avoided laser-related collateral damage by designing the register such that the measurement and cooling light was not at the resonant wavelength of the register atoms. Next, they demonstrated they could cool already-measured atoms for re-use in the calculation. Finally, they showed they could non-disruptively replenish these atoms with others from a magneto-optical trap positioned 300 nm below the tweezer arrays that held atoms for the computational register.
Mikhail Lukin, a physicist at Harvard University, US who has also worked on the challenges of atom loss and re-use in scalable, fault-tolerant neutral atom computing, has likewise recently reported successful atom re-use and diminished atom loss. Although Lukin’s work differs from that of the Atom Computing team in various ways – using rubidium instead of ytterbium atoms and a different approach for low atom loss mid-circuit measurements, for starters – he says that the work by Norcia and his team “represents an important technical advance for the Yb quantum computing platform, complementing major progress in the neutral atom quantum computing community in 2025”.
The research appears in Physical Review X.
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NASA is at an inflection point. 2026 will now begin with a newly-confirmed Jared Isaacman as a NASA Administrator with the White House directive to beat China back to the moon with astronauts. On the science side, we hope that NASA will continue its in-depth exploration of the Earth, solar system and universe. While the […]
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The Senate confirmed Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator Dec. 17, concluding arguably the most unusual effort to select a leader in the space agency’s history.
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Denver-based Lux Aeterna announced plans Dec. 17 to land its debut reusable satellite at the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia, shortly after launching on a SpaceX rideshare mission in early 2027.
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The latest episode of Physics World Stories takes you inside CUWiP+, the Conference for Undergraduate Women and Non-Binary Physicists, and the role the annual event plays in shaping early experiences of studying physics.
The episode features June McCombie from the University of Nottingham, who discusses what happens at CUWiP+ events and why they are so important for improving the retention of women and non-binary students in STEM. She reflects on how the conferences create space for students to explore career paths, build confidence and see themselves as part of the physics community.
University of Birmingham students Tanshpreet Kaur and Harriett McCormick share their experiences of attending the 2025 CUWiP+ event at the University of Warwick and explain why they are excited for the next event, set for Birmingham, 19–22 March 2026. They describe standout moments from 2025, including being starstruck at meeting Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, who discovered radio pulsars in 1967.
The episode provides practical advice to get the most out of the event. Organizers design the programme to cater for all personalities – whether you thrive in lively, social situations, or prefer time to step back and reflect. Either way, CUWiP+ offers opportunities to be inspired and to make meaningful connections.
Hosted by Andrew Glester, the episode highlights how shared experiences and supportive networks can balance the often-solitary nature of studying physics, especially when you feel excluded from the majority group.
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Quantum physics, kung-fu, LEGO and singing are probably not things you would normally put together. But that’s exactly what happened at this year’s Quantum Carousel.
The event is a free variety show where incredible performers from across academia and industry converge for an evening of science communication. Held in Bristol, UK, on 14 November 2025, this was the second year the event was run – and once again it was entirely sold out.
As organizers, our goal was to bring together those involved in quantum and adjacent fields for an evening of learning and laughter. Each act was only seven minutes long and audience participation was encouraged, with questions saved for the dinner and drinks intervals.
The evening kicked off with a rousing speech and song from Chris Stewart, motivating the promotion of science communication and understanding. Felix Flicker related electron spin rotations to armlocks, with a terrific demonstration on volunteer Tony Short, while Michael Berry entertained us all with his eye-opening talk on how quantum physics has democratized music.
PhD student double act Eesa Ali and Sebastien Bisdee then welcomed volunteers to the stage to see who could align a laser fastest. Maria Violaris expertly taught us the fundamentals of quantum error correction using LEGO.
Mike Shubrook explained the quantum thermodynamics of beer through stand-up comedy. And finally, John Rarity and his assistant Hugh Barrett (event co-organizer and co-author of this article) rounded off the night by demonstrating the magic of entanglement.
Our event sponsors introduced the food and drinks portions of the evening, with Antonia Seymour (chief executive of IOP Publishing) and Matin Durrani (editor-in-chief of Physics World) opening the dinner interval, while Josh Silverstone (founder and chief executive of Hartley Ultrafast) kickstarted the networking drinks reception.
Whether it was singing along to an acoustic guitar or rotating hands to emulate electron spin, everyone got involved, and feedback cited audience participation as a highlight.
“The event ran very smoothly, it was lots of fun and a great chance to network in a relaxed atmosphere,” said one attendee. Another added: “The atmosphere was really fun, and it was a really nice event to get loads of the quantum community together in an enjoyable setting.”
Appreciation of the atmosphere went both ways, with one speaker saying that their favourite part of the night was that “the audience was very inviting and easy to perform to”.
Audience members also enjoyed developing a better understanding of the science that drives their industry. “I understood it and I don’t have any background in physics,” said one attendee. “I feel a marker of being a good scientist is being able to explain it in layperson’s terms.”
With the quantum community rapidly expanding, it needs people from a wide range of backgrounds such as computer science, engineering and business. Quantum Carousel was designed to strike a balance between high-level academic discussion and entertainment through entry-level talks, such as explaining error correction with props, or relating research to impact from stimulated emission to CDs.
By focusing on real-world analogies, these talks can help newcomers to develop an intuitive and memorable understanding. Meanwhile, those already in the field can equip themselves with new ways of communicating elements of their research.
We look forward to hosting Quantum Carousel again in the future. We want to make it bigger and better, with an even greater range of diverse acts.
But if you’re interested in organizing a similar outreach event of your own, it helps to consider how you can create an environment that can best spark connections between both speakers and attendees. Consider your audience and how your event can attract different people for different reasons. In our case, this included the chance to network, engage with the performances, and enjoy the food and drink.
This article forms part of Physics World‘s contribution to the 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ), which aims to raise global awareness of quantum physics and its applications.
Stayed tuned to Physics World and our international partners throughout the year for more coverage of the IYQ.
Find out more on our quantum channel.
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In this episode of Space Minds, host Mike Gruss moderates a timely panel discussion at the Spacepower conference on how commercial space capabilities are reshaping national security, civil space, and military decision-making.
The post Speed, risk, and the future of national security space appeared first on SpaceNews.
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