Tiny magnetic waves could unlock quantum computers the size of a penny
AI Summary: A research team led by Andrii Chumak at the University of Vienna has significantly increased the lifetime of magnons, magnetic waves capable of carrying quantum information, from hundreds of nanoseconds to 18 microseconds. This advancement addresses a critical challenge in quantum computing, as longer magnon lifetimes enable them to function as reliable quantum memory and communication channels. The researchers discovered that the lifespan of magnons is primarily limited by the quality of the material they traverse, rather than fundamental physical laws, indicating that improvements in materials science could further enhance magnon longevity. Their findings, published in Science Advances, suggest that magnons could facilitate the development of ultra-compact quantum computers and serve as a "quantum bus" for connecting multiple qubits.