"Quantum computers based on ions or atoms have one major advantage: the hardware itself isn't manufactured, so there's no device-to-device variability. Every atom is the same and should perform similarly every time. And since the qubits themselves can be moved around, it's theoretically possible to entangle any atom or ion with any other in the system, allowing for a lot of flexibility in how algorithms and error correction are performed."
"Both neutral atom and trapped-ion computers store their qubits in the spin of the nucleus. That spin is somewhat shielded from the environment by the cloud of electrons around the nucleus, giving these qubits a relatively long coherence time. While neutral atoms are held in place by a network of lasers, trapped ions are manipulated via electromagnetic control based on the ion's charge."
A trapped-ion quantum machine was used as a test case to simulate a model of superconductivity. Trapped-ion and neutral-atom approaches store qubits in nuclear spin, producing long coherence times because the spin is shielded by surrounding electrons. Neutral atoms rely on laser trapping, while trapped ions use electromagnetic control of charged ions and standard electronic manufacturing for key components; lasers remain necessary for manipulation and readout. The ability to move qubits enables theoretical all-to-all connectivity, simplifying entanglement, algorithm mapping, and error correction. Historically limited by modest qubit counts, trapped-ion systems now see increased capacity through new hardware developments.
Read at Ars Technica
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