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Quantum-computing approach uses single molecules as qubits for first time

Platforms based on molecules manipulated using ‘optical tweezers’ might be able to perform complex physics calculations.
  1. Davide Castelvecchi
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Physicists have taken the first step towards building quantum computers out of individual molecules trapped with laser devices called optical tweezers. Two teams report their results in Science on 7 December1,2, in both cases making pairs of calcium monofluoride molecules interact so that they became entangled — a crucial effect for quantum computing.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-03943-1

Updates & Corrections

  • Correction 08 December 2023: An earlier version of this article spelled Hannah Williams’s name incorrectly. This has now been amended.

References

  1. Bao, Y. et al. Science https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adf8999 (2023).

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  2. Holland, C. et al. Science https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adf4272 (2023).

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