Gold coating breakthrough boosts quantum chip stability and scale

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, led by physicist Peng Wei, have developed a breakthrough technique to enhance the stability and scalability of quantum chips by applying an ultra-thin gold coating to superconducting materials. Quantum computers rely on qubits, which are highly sensitive to environmental noise and microscopic material defects that disrupt their fragile quantum states. Wei’s team addressed this by depositing a uniform gold layer about ten atoms thick onto niobium, a common superconducting metal used in quantum processors. This gold layer smooths out surface imperfections that typically trap Cooper pairs—electron pairs responsible for superconductivity—thereby reducing noise and preserving qubit coherence without impairing the superconducting properties. The gold coating acts as a chemically inert, stable shield that prevents oxidation and environmental interference, striking a balance between thickness and superconductivity. This innovation is compatible with existing chip fabrication processes, making it attractive for commercial quantum computing development. The technique has garnered interest from leading institutions such as MIT, NIST, and SEEQC