New Tool Pinpoints Next-Generation Materials for Robust Computers

A team of researchers from University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland has developed an innovative tool designed to identify materials that could be used in the construction of large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers. The study, published in the journal Science, addresses a key challenge in quantum computing: finding materials that can support quantum bits (qubits) with high stability and low error rates. Quantum computers have the potential to perform certain calculations much faster than classical computers, but their practical realization depends on the discovery and engineering of materials that can maintain quantum coherence over extended periods and at scale. The new tool created by the UCC team enables scientists to systematically screen and evaluate candidate materials for these properties, potentially accelerating the development of robust quantum computing technologies. The research represents a significant step forward in the materials science aspect of quantum computing and may contribute to the eventual realization of practical, large-scale quantum computers.