“The year 2025 has been designated by the United Nations as the ‘International Year of Quantum Science and Technology,’ marking the global recognition of the importance of quantum technology. In this global technological race, materials science, as the core supporting field for the development of quantum computing, plays a crucial role. The competition between China and the United States in the field of quantum computing is not only a contest of technology but also a competition of innovative capabilities in materials science. As materials experts, we need to deeply analyze the demands of quantum computing for materials science and how materials science can drive breakthroughs in quantum technology.
Core Material Challenges in Quantum Computing
- Material Requirements for Quantum Bits (Qubits):
- Qubits are the basic units of quantum computing, and their performance directly determines the stability and computing power of quantum computers. Currently, mainstream methods for realizing qubits include superconducting qubits, ion trap qubits, topological qubits, and photonic qubits, each of which places extremely high demands on materials.
- Superconducting Qubits: Require extremely low-temperature environments (close to absolute zero) and high-quality superconducting materials, such as niobium (Nb) and aluminum (Al). These materials must maintain a superconducting state at extremely low temperatures while possessing low noise and high coherence.
- Ion Trap Qubits: Rely on high-purity ion crystal materials, such as ytterbium (Yb) or calcium (Ca) ions. These materials need to operate stably in ultra-high vacuum environments, and the precision requirements for controlling electromagnetic fields are extremely high.
- Topological Qubits: Rely on materials with topological insulator properties, such as bismuth selenide (Bi₂Se₃) and bismuth telluride (Bi₂Te₃). These materials need to exhibit stable topological states at low temperatures to achieve quantum information protection.
- Material Requirements for Quantum Error Correction Technology:
- Quantum error correction is the key to the practical application of quantum computing, and achieving quantum error correction requires highly stable qubits and a low-noise environment. Materials scientists need to develop new low-noise materials to reduce the interaction between qubits and the environment.
- For example, the coherence time of superconducting qubits is limited by material defects and interface noise. By optimizing the crystal structure and interface quality of superconducting materials, the coherence time of qubits can be significantly improved.
- Material Challenges in Cryogenic Refrigeration Technology:
- Quantum computing needs to operate in extremely low-temperature environments, which places extremely high demands on refrigeration technology. Traditional refrigeration materials and technologies cannot meet the needs of quantum computing, so new low-temperature materials and refrigeration technologies need to be developed.
- For example, dilution refrigerators are the main refrigeration equipment for current quantum computing, but the supply of their core materials (such as helium-3 and helium-4 mixtures) is limited and costly. Materials scientists need to explore alternative materials and technologies to reduce refrigeration costs and improve efficiency.
Competition Between China and the United States in the Field of Quantum Materials
- U.S. Leading Advantages:
- The United States has a deep accumulation of technology and top scientific research talent in the field of quantum materials. For example, technology giants such as Google and IBM are global leaders in the research of superconducting qubit materials. In addition, U.S. national laboratories and universities have also made important breakthroughs in topological quantum materials, ion trap materials, and other fields.
- The U.S. government’s investment in quantum technology is mainly focused on basic research and material innovation, such as supporting the research and development of quantum materials through the National Quantum Initiative Act.
- China’s Rapid Catch-Up:
- China’s rise in the field of quantum materials benefits from the strong support of national policies. For example, China has listed quantum materials as a key development direction in the 14th Five-Year Plan and invested huge funds to support related research.
- Chinese research institutions and enterprises have made significant progress in new material research and development. For example, Chinese scientists have reached the international advanced level in the research of topological quantum materials and high-purity ion crystal materials. In addition, China has also made breakthroughs in the independent research and development of ultra-low temperature refrigeration materials, gradually getting rid of its dependence on foreign technology.
Strategic Significance of Materials Science in Quantum Computing
- Promoting the Practical Application of Quantum Computing:
- The progress of materials science is the key to the transition of quantum computing from the laboratory to practical application. For example, by developing high-quality superconducting materials and low-noise qubit materials, the stability and computing power of quantum computers can be significantly improved.
- Materials scientists also need to develop new packaging materials and isolation materials to reduce the interaction between qubits and environmental noise, thereby improving the reliability of quantum computing.
- Reshaping the Global Technological Landscape:
- Breakthroughs in quantum materials will reshape the global technological landscape. For example, countries that master high-performance quantum materials will occupy a leading position in fields such as quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing, thereby enhancing their economic competitiveness and national security capabilities.
- The research and development of quantum materials may also trigger a new round of global technology competition, forming a quantum materials technology camp dominated by China and the United States.
- Solving Global Challenges:
- Breakthroughs in quantum materials will not only help the development of quantum computing but may also provide new solutions to solve global challenges. For example, quantum materials have great application potential in the fields of energy, medicine, and environment, which can provide technical support for global sustainable development.
Future Outlook
- Innovation Directions of Materials Science:
- In the future, materials scientists need to focus on the following directions:
- Develop new low-noise quantum materials to improve the coherence time of qubits.
- Explore alternative cryogenic refrigeration materials to reduce the operating costs of quantum computing.
- Research topological quantum materials and ion trap materials to achieve more stable qubits.
- In the future, materials scientists need to focus on the following directions:
- International Cooperation and Competition:
- The research and development of quantum materials require global cooperation and collaborative innovation. Although China and the United States are engaged in fierce competition in the field of quantum materials, cooperation is still the key to promoting technological progress.
- Materials scientists need to seek cooperation in the competition to jointly solve the technical bottlenecks in the research and development of quantum materials.
- Popularization and Application of Materials Science:
- With the maturity and popularization of quantum materials, their application fields will gradually expand from quantum computing to energy, medicine, and environment. Materials scientists need to actively explore the application potential of quantum materials in the civilian field to promote global technological progress.
Conclusion
The competition of quantum computing is not only a contest of technology but also a competition of innovative capabilities in materials science. Materials science plays a crucial role in the development of quantum computing, and its breakthroughs will profoundly affect the global technological landscape and future international order. As materials experts, we need to seize this historical opportunity to promote the research and development and application of quantum materials, and contribute to the practical application of quantum computing and global technological progress.”