Researchers from Google Quantum AI, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and Princeton University have used a 58-qubit superconducting quantum processor to create and observe a quantum phase of matter that had only existed in theoretical proposals: a Floquet topologically ordered state.
The new state belongs to the category called non-equilibrium or driven quantum phases, meaning it arises only when the system is subjected to periodic driving (rhythmic perturbations in time), and it cannot exist under static or equilibrium conditions.
Key Details & How It Was Done
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Quantum Processor Used | 58 superconducting qubits. |
| Phase of Matter Realized | Floquet topological order, including phenomena such as edge-mode motion and anyonic excitations (exotic particle behavior) not possible in ordinary equilibrium materials. |
| Experimental Methods | Periodic driving, interferometric algorithms to detect topological properties, imaging chiral edge modes, probes of how particles at edges move vs those in bulk. |
| Why It’s New | The state had been theorized but never observed directly. It requires non-equilibrium conditions, and classical computers cannot efficiently simulate these phenomena for larger qubit counts. |
Why It Matters
- Experimental validation of theory
The work confirms long-standing theoretical predictions about Floquet topological phases in quantum systems. This strengthens our understanding of how matter can behave outside equilibrium. - Quantum processors as physics labs
It shows quantum computers are moving beyond “just computation” toward being platforms for discovering new physics. ScienceDaily - Implications for quantum information
These exotic phases with topological order often have built-in protection against certain types of errors, which is useful for making quantum computers more robust and fault-tolerant. - Expanding material science
Possibility of designing materials/devices that exploit these non-equilibrium states for novel functionalities (e.g. new sensors, devices, perhaps even exotic electronics).
Challenges & Open Questions
- Scalability: Observations were made on 58 qubits; moving to larger systems will be harder, especially in preserving coherence and controlling noise.
- Long-term stability: Non-equilibrium phases often need continuous driving; what are energy costs, stability under perturbations, etc.?
- Real-world applications: While theoretically promising, practical uses of such quantum phases are still exploratory.
- Detection & measurement: The interferometric algorithms and imaging techniques are sophisticated; easier or simpler detection methods will help wider research.
Conclusion
Google’s quantum processor, in collaboration with TUM and Princeton, has for the first time realized a Floquet topological state—a new state of quantum matter once only theorized. This represents a major milestone in quantum physics, bridging theory and experiment, and expanding the frontier of what quantum computers can do. As scientists push further, such states could play key roles in quantum computing, material science, and our fundamental understanding of physics.
