EeroQ Advances Quantum Computing with Floating Electrons

A team of researchers from EeroQ has made significant strides in quantum computing by developing a novel qubit system that utilizes single electrons floating on the surface of liquid helium. Their recent study, published in Physical Review X in early 2025, outlines the physics behind this groundbreaking approach, indicating potential pathways to scale quantum technology more effectively.

To understand how an electron can float above helium, Johannes Pollanen, the chief scientific officer at EeroQ, explains that the process relies on well-established physics principles. When a charged particle, such as an electron, approaches the surface of helium, it generates a weak positive image charge beneath the liquid. This interaction allows the electron to remain bound to its own image, despite the liquid helium’s chemically inert nature. The helium remains liquid at temperatures as low as 4 Kelvin, enabling practical applications without the extreme refrigeration methods often required for conventional quantum systems.

The research team employed a sophisticated setup that includes a tungsten filament and silicon chips to facilitate the trapping of individual electrons. By creating a controlled electromagnetic trap beneath a superconductive plate, they could manipulate the number of trapped electrons, allowing them to transition between three distinct states: zero, one, or two electrons. This precision is crucial for the development of qubits, the fundamental units of quantum information.

Pollanen noted that the successful trapping of a single electron represents a promising foundation for qubit architectures. The EeroQ team’s ambition is to store qubit information in the spin of these electrons, a concept previously tested in silicon impurities and quantum dots. Unlike those materials, isolated electrons in liquid helium benefit from enhanced spin coherence, making them potentially more effective for quantum computing applications.

Another notable advantage of this system is the use of standard CMOS technology for manufacturing. Pollanen emphasized that this allows for the construction of chips capable of hosting vast numbers of qubits—potentially reaching millions—while keeping control circuitry compact. This design minimizes the wiring required to connect qubits to external systems, streamlining operations.

The long-term vision for EeroQ involves pairing electrons with opposing spins to encode qubit information. Pollanen explained that this approach could mitigate decoherence effects, which are critical for maintaining qubit integrity during operations. The ability to move electrons and entangle qubits will play an essential role in the functionality of future quantum processors.

While the path ahead for EeroQ remains uncertain, the advances in their electron trapping system represent a significant step forward in quantum technology. As the team continues its research, the innovative work with floating electrons on liquid helium could serve as an exciting experimental platform, regardless of the eventual success in achieving practical qubits. The potential to reshape the quantum landscape remains a driving force behind EeroQ’s efforts, with the scientific community eagerly awaiting further developments.