16/05/2026
Physicists have unlocked a new phase of matter that uses Fibonacci-coded laser pulses to triple the lifespan of quantum data.
Scientists from the Flatiron Institute and Quantinuum have achieved a significant breakthrough in quantum computing by creating a "time quasicrystal." By bombarding 10 ytterbium ion qubits with laser pulses organized in a non-repeating Fibonacci sequence, the team forced the system into a highly stable state.
This unique mathematical rhythm effectively creates a "two-dimensional" time property, allowing the qubits to resist the environmental noise that typically destroys quantum information.
The results are transformative for the field: quantum data remained intact for 5.5 seconds, more than triple the 1.5-second lifespan of standard setups. Unlike traditional crystals that repeat in space or time, this quasi-periodic phase provides a robust shield against decoherence. This advancement suggests a new way of thinking about the phases of matter and brings us one step closer to building the reliable, error-resistant quantum computers needed for future technology.
source: Dumitrescu, P. T., Bohnet, J. G., Gaebler, J. P., Hankin, K. M., Hayes, D., & Vasseur, R. Dynamical topological phase realized in a trapped-ion quantum simulator. Nature.
