It was recently announced that British scientists David Thouless, Duncan Haldane and Michael Kosterlitz won a Nobel prize award in physics for their work on exotic states of matter. Due to the recognition, many scientists reportedly believe that the study will usher in transforming technologies, including quantum computers.
Apparently, their work and discoveries on Topological Phase Transitions and Topological Phase of Matter transformed the views of the scientists about materials, The Guardian learned. Talking about Topology, if we go back to the basics, it is understood that scientists use this method to explain the behavioral shifts of exotic states of matter.
Back in primary school days, people learned that the simplest divisions of the states of matter were solids, liquids and gases. In fact, the young minds were not yet exposed to the enormous variety and complexity of the subject matter.
Over time, theories like electronic bands, which explain why materials are insulators, conductors and semi-conductors, how heat is conducted and their response to magnetic fields, are formulated. In addition, Quantum Hall effect was discovered and topological band theory was subsequently developed.
The study indicated that the observation of materials harboring Majorana modes generated high anticipations relative to the possibility of topological quantum computations. The research pertaining to the said computation is reportedly ongoing and the progress on such is quite notable.
Considering that the recently awarded study laid the foundations for the creation of topological insulators, more sophisticated quantum computers are expected to be constructed. As such, study on Classical Structures in Topological Quantum Computing by Nathaniel Cabot Thomas, stated that the presence of Topological Quantum Computers entail the possibility of powerful quantum information storage and manipulation.
Moreover, it was pointed that a more intuitive language for programming quantum computers had a greater possibility due to the classical structures. The researchers, consequently, hoped to develop a new and more effective approach to quantum computer engineering if the aforementioned approaches are used together.
Individuals who have little background about advance physics may find the subject matter complex. The video below provides a simple explanation on the dynamics of the Nobel Prize awardees' work.
