Scientists have recently conducted an groundbreaking experiment on distributed quantum calculations using ion modules connected by a photographic network for the first time. The experiment involved two modules situated approximately two meters apart, interacting through light channels where photons carried quantum information, facilitating remote entanglement.
The experiment focused on ions of strontium (Sr⁺) and calcium (Ca⁺). Each module contained two ions of different types: one acting as a “network” cube, while the other served as a “computing” cube. The network cubes were linked through a photon line, generating entangled states that could be utilized for teleporting quantum operations between computing cubes.
A significant achievement was the successful teleportation of a two-cube Controlled-Z (CZ) operation with an accuracy of 86%. Despite being positioned in different modules, the computational ions behaved as if they were physically connected. Furthermore, the researchers tested the Grover algorithm, commonly used for searching specific elements in an array, achieving a success probability of 71%. Additionally, they executed ISWAP and SWAP operations using two or three teleported CZ “bricks”. The results confirmed the feasibility of remote quantum modules functioning as a unified system.
This innovative approach addresses the scalability issue faced by quantum processors. Rather than designing a single device with numerous cubes, combining smaller modules, each with its own specialization and reliable interconnection, proves to be a more manageable solution. The optical network offers flexibility and enables dynamic changes to the connectivity configuration. Moreover, this methodology can be applied to various quantum systems beyond ions, such as neutral atoms or diamond centers, and can be extended using quantum relayers to increase the distance.