Quantum computers can solve complex problems in a short time that would take traditional computers thousands of years, showing enormous potential in fields such as drug development and machine learning. However, defects on superconducting metal surfaces and interfaces have long hindered their development, as these defects introduce interference that disrupts the delicate quantum states required for quantum computing. Associate Professor Peng Wei from the Department of Physics at the University of California, Riverside, has proposed a new solution. He has applied for a U.S. patent for an invention of a new process that enhances quantum computer performance by coating the surface of niobium metal superconductors with an ultra-thin gold layer.

Peng Wei's team applied a gold layer only about ten atoms thick, eliminating surface defects in niobium that disrupt quantum behavior while preserving superconducting properties. Peng Wei said: "By using gold at these critical interfaces, we can maintain cleaner signal paths and reduce losses in superconducting circuits." Unlike traditional semiconductor research that focuses on bulk material properties, the team concentrated on the outermost atomic layers, because in quantum systems, tiny inconsistencies are amplified. Quantum computers encode information using qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously, but in superconductors, surface defects degrade qubit performance, leading to quantum decoherence—one of the main obstacles to scaling and reliable operation of quantum computers.

Peng Wei's gold coating acts as a quantum shield to solve this problem. Gold does not oxidize or undergo chemical reactions, and the uniform atomic layer coating forms a smooth and stable surface resistant to noise contamination. The gold layer is thin and does not affect the superconductivity of niobium, allowing Cooper pairs to flow with low loss. Professor Peng Wei stated: "This balance is crucial; we have found the optimal balance point." The process is compatible with existing manufacturing technologies, attracting interest from numerous companies competing to develop commercial quantum processors. This innovation has garnered attention from industry and research institutions, and Peng Wei's team is refining heterogeneous structure processes, testing compatibility with other superconducting materials, and developing better quantum sensors.