Floating Electrons on a Sea of Helium
12 hours ago
- #liquid helium
- #quantum computing
- #qubit technology
- Several technologies are leading the development of quantum computers, with companies building machines with dozens to hundreds of qubits and reducing error rates.
- Some companies are still developing new qubit technologies, betting on scalability for a competitive edge.
- EeroQ has developed a qubit system using single electrons floating on liquid helium, based on old physics principles.
- Electrons are bound to their image charges in liquid helium, which is chemically inert and prevents electron absorption.
- Liquid helium remains liquid at 4 Kelvin, avoiding the need for extreme refrigeration and providing a natural vacuum.
- Liquid helium's superfluidity allows it to flow without viscosity, enabling easy movement through tiny channels in silicon chips.
- A tungsten filament was used to load electrons onto the helium surface in experiments.