Quantum computers are seen as a major force reshaping future technology, but integrating fragile quantum phenomena onto chips for large-scale operation has long been a scientific challenge. A research team at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia recently achieved a breakthrough: they successfully entangled nuclear spins on a silicon chip for the first time, enabling them to “talk” to each other over a distance of 20 nanometers, paving the way for practical quantum computers.
Table of Contents
What is Quantum Entanglement?
Quantum entanglement is like a pair of synchronized twins: even if they are far apart, the actions of one instantly affect the other. This phenomenon allows quantum computers to process massive amounts of data simultaneously, operating exponentially faster than traditional computers. However, achieving entanglement between atomic nuclei on a silicon chip is not simple. In the past, nuclei had to share the same electron to interact, much like people who can only converse clearly if they are in the same room; once the room is full, it becomes difficult to expand. [Image of quantum entanglement visualization]
Breakthrough “Electron Telephone”
The innovation by the UNSW team lies in no longer relying on nuclei sharing electrons, but instead using the “diffusion capability” of electrons as a signal bridge. Even if two atomic nuclei are about 20 nanometers apart (equivalent to one-thousandth the width of a human hair), they can still establish a stable connection through the electron. Researchers describe that previously, nuclei were like people locked in soundproof rooms, only able to talk within the room; now, it’s like they have been given telephones, allowing them to communicate across rooms.
Compatibility with Existing Chip Processes
The 20-nanometer distance corresponds perfectly with the process scale of modern computer and mobile phone chips. This means that future quantum computers can be mass-produced directly using existing semiconductor technologies without redesigning the manufacturing process. For the semiconductor industry, this significantly increases the likelihood of quantum computers moving from the laboratory to the market. The UNSW team states that this method is stable and scalable, allowing for the addition of more electrons and nuclei in the future to achieve larger-scale quantum computing.
Nuclear Spin: The Core of Quantum Computing
The team uses the nuclear spin of phosphorus atoms in silicon chips to store quantum information. Spin is the key resource that allows quantum computers to surpass traditional computers. Research shows that quantum information can be preserved in these spins for over 30 seconds, with a quantum logic operation error rate of less than 1%, proving that these nuclear spins are both stable and isolated, making them ideal carriers for quantum computing.
How Electrons Become Signal Bridges
Although electrons are tiny particles, they can diffuse in space and interact with multiple atomic nuclei. Researchers use a metaphor: in the past, nuclei were like people in soundproof rooms, only able to talk inside; now, electrons act like telephones, allowing them to communicate across distances. This method breaks the limitation that nuclei must share a single electron and is key to achieving scalability in silicon quantum computers.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Even though quantum entanglement has been achieved at the chip scale, building a quantum system comparable to a supercomputer still requires hundreds to thousands of qubits operating stably. How to scale up while maintaining a low error rate is the next core challenge. However, this research demonstrates the possibility of constructing quantum microchips using existing semiconductor processes, bringing large-scale quantum computers closer to reality.
Conclusion
UNSW’s breakthrough marks a crucial step for quantum computers: nuclear spins can be entangled and communicate with each other at the chip scale, providing a new method for scalable quantum computing. As the technology matures further, quantum computers are expected to truly integrate into daily life, transforming computing methods and the technological landscape.
Sources:
- “Scalable Entanglement of Nuclear Spins Mediated by Electron Exchange” by Holly G. Stemp, Mark R. van Blankenstein, Serwan Asaad, Mateusz T. Mądzik, Benjamin Joecker, Hannes R. Firgau, Arne Laucht, Fay E. Hudson, Andrew S. Dzurak, Andrea Morello, September 18, 2025, Science.
- “Like Talking on the Telephone” – Quantum Breakthrough Lets Individual Atoms Chat Like Never Before
- Synced Like Twins! First Successful Quantum Entanglement of Atomic Nuclei Inside a Silicon Chip
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