Milliseconds now matter more than ever. Researchers from Finland have extended qubit coherence, unlocking longer, error-tolerant quantum computing.
Researchers in Finland have reported a breakthrough in quantum computing, achieving a transmon qubit coherence time reaching up to one millisecond. This development marks a significant improvement in quantum processor stability, allowing for longer, error-free computation and reducing the need for extensive error correction resources.
The milestone was reached by the Quantum Computing and Devices (QCD) group at Aalto University. Their work was recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications. The median coherence time recorded was half a millisecond, which also surpasses previous records, making this finding especially notable for the quantum research community.
Qubit coherence time determines how long a quantum bit can retain information before interference introduces errors. Longer coherence times mean quantum systems can perform more complex operations, increasing the practicality of quantum devices in real-world tasks. In particular, this advancement enables researchers to execute more logic operations within a stable computational window, which is vital for future scaling.
The qubit was fabricated at Aalto University using a high-quality superconducting film supplied by Finland’s Technical Research Centre (VTT). The process was carried out in Micronova cleanrooms at OtaNano, Finland’s national infrastructure hub for micro-, nano-, and quantum technologies. Researchers emphasised that their fabrication process is reproducible and accessible to other academic groups, underlining the democratic and collaborative nature of Finnish quantum research.
The work strengthens Finland’s reputation as a global leader in quantum science. The cleanroom fabrication of high-quality transmon qubits demonstrates the country’s capacity to deliver cutting-edge innovation in academic settings. The QCD group, part of the Finnish Quantum Flagship and the Academy of Finland Centre of Excellence in Quantum Technology, has also announced new research positions to accelerate progress in the field.
