Ultra-efficient amplifier slashes quantum computer's power use by 90%

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a novel amplifier for quantum computers that reduces power consumption by 90% compared to existing models. This breakthrough addresses a critical challenge in quantum computing—decoherence, which occurs when heat and electromagnetic interference from amplifiers disrupt qubit states during measurement. The new amplifier activates only when needed, significantly cutting heat generation and thus minimizing errors in qubit readout. This advancement could enable the construction of larger, more stable quantum computers with increased numbers of qubits and improved computational performance. The key innovation lies in the amplifier’s pulse-operated functionality, which allows it to switch on briefly and precisely to read qubit signals without continuous power use. The team overcame the challenge of rapid activation by implementing a smart control system using genetic programming, enabling the amplifier to respond within 35 nanoseconds. This highly sensitive, low-noise semiconductor amplifier represents the most efficient transistor-based design currently achievable and is expected to help overcome a major technical bottleneck in scaling quantum computers.