Qubits Cooled to 0.02 Degrees Above Absolute Zero at Berkeley Lab

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are pushing the boundaries of quantum computing by cooling qubits to about 0.02 degrees above absolute zero, a temperature even colder than outer space, to maintain the delicate superconducting state necessary for preserving quantum information. This extreme cooling is achieved using a dilution refrigerator, described as a golden chandelier with cables running up and down that deliver and receive signals at millikelvin temperatures. The effort is part of a broader initiative to build a complete quantum computing “stack,” encompassing hardware, software, and controls for error-corrected calculations. “Making a functional quantum computer requires much more than qubits alone,” explains Chris Spitzer, operations lead at the Advanced Quantum Testbed (AQT). “It takes an entire technology stack that can harness quantum science for real-world applications.” Maintaining…