Credit: Image courtesy of junyiwu.com
Noise is an obstacle in the race to realize systems that can be used to develop quantum computing technologies. Among the approaches for quantum computing is the superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), shown at the bottom of the figure. Researchers have shown that the main source of noise is magnetic defects on the SQUID. These defects are produced by molecular oxygen (O2) adsorbed on its surface. The artistic drawing is of magnetic noise from molecular oxygen. The sketch shows twisted magnetic field lines induced by harmful fluctuating magnetic spins (arrows) of O2 (spheres) on the surface of a SQUID quantum bit.