US finds missing particle that makes quantum computing fully possible

Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) have discovered a new class of particles called "neglectons," which could significantly advance universal quantum computing. Traditional quantum computers use qubits that are highly fragile and prone to errors, limiting their reliability. Topological quantum computing, which encodes information in the geometric properties of exotic particles called anyons, offers a promising error-resistant approach. However, the commonly studied Ising anyons only support a limited set of operations (Clifford gates) insufficient for universal quantum computing. USC mathematicians and physicists turned to a less-explored mathematical framework known as non-semisimple topological quantum field theories (TQFTs), which retain components previously discarded as "mathematical garbage" due to their zero quantum trace. These components revealed the neglectons, a new type of anyon that, when combined with Ising anyons, enable universal quantum computation through braiding alone. Notably, only one stationary neglecton is required