Quantum computing’s “dark horse” just proved it can go universal

What happened

Researchers have now demonstrated a new way to reach that level of flexibility using unusual quantum objects known as non-Abelian anyons. Scientists from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (UChicago PME), Harvard, Stony Brook University, and Quantinuum created and tested a full set of operations based on non-Abelian anyons.

Researchers have shown that exotic quantum particles called non-Abelian anyons can perform the full range of operations needed for universal quantum computing. Share: Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email FULL STORY A practical quantum computer must eventually be able to handle any type of quantum algorithm, much like a conventional laptop can run many different kinds of software.

Their results provide the first experimental demonstration that this approach can support the broad range of operations required for universal quantum computing. Quantum computers are extremely vulnerable to errors, so researchers typically protect information by distributing it across many physical qubits. Non-Abelian anyons work in a fundamentally different way.