Quantum computers are susceptible to the external environment due to a property called quantum coherence. Quantum coherence refers to the delicate state of superposition and entanglement that quantum bits, or qubits, can exhibit. These qubits are the fundamental units of information in a quantum computer.
Quantum systems are highly sensitive to their surroundings because they interact with and are influenced by external factors such as temperature, electromagnetic radiation, and vibrations. These interactions can cause decoherence, which refers to the loss of quantum coherence. When a quantum system becomes decoherent, it loses its fragile quantum properties and behaves more like a classical system, leading to errors in quantum computations.
There are several reasons why quantum computers are particularly susceptible to the external environment:
Interactions with surrounding particles: Quantum systems can interact with particles in their environment, such as air molecules or impurities in the materials used to build the quantum computer. These interactions can cause the qubits to lose their coherence.
Temperature fluctuations: Temperature changes can affect the stability of the quantum system. The thermal energy from the environment can introduce noise and disrupt the delicate quantum states of the qubits.
Electromagnetic radiation: Quantum systems can be sensitive to electromagnetic fields and radiation, which can introduce disturbances and cause decoherence. Shielding the quantum computer from external electromagnetic radiation is crucial to minimize these effects.
Vibrations and mechanical disturbances: Vibrations and mechanical movements in the environment can also impact the stability of the qubits. Even small disturbances can disrupt the fragile quantum states and introduce errors in the computations.
Addressing these environmental challenges is a major focus of research and development in quantum computing. Scientists are exploring various techniques to mitigate the effects of decoherence, such as error correction codes, improved qubit designs, and better shielding and isolation methods. By minimizing the impact of the external environment, researchers aim to improve the stability and reliability of quantum computers, paving the way for practical quantum computing applications.