Copper is an amazing metal that reacts quite differently to its environment conditions. Sound familiar? If you’ve been reading this substack for any period of time, you know that quantum bits are highly reactive to their environment as well.
In today’s substack, in order to provide yet one more way to understand the quantum world, I compare the relative environmental reactions of copper and quantum bits in nature.
Image source: Brian Lenahan/Midjourney
Copper Reactions
Copper, a chemical element, has the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. Soft, malleable, and ductile, this metal has very high thermal and electrical conductivity, ideal for current age electronics. Copper is highly reactive to its environment, which can significantly affect its physical and chemical properties. One of the most common phenomena is oxidation. When exposed to oxygen over time, copper undergoes a slow reaction that forms copper oxide, giving it a reddish-brown surface. Prolonged exposure to the elements, especially in the presence of moisture and carbon dioxide, leads to the formation of a green patina, known as copper carbonate or verdigris. This patina layer can actually protect the underlying copper from further corrosion, often seen in outdoor structures like the Statue of Liberty.
Temperature also plays a key role in copper's properties. As a conductor of heat, copper's conductivity increases at lower temperatures and decreases when exposed to extreme heat. At elevated temperatures, copper can undergo thermal expansion, making it malleable and easier to shape. However, excessive heat can also lead to oxidation and embrittlement, weakening its structural integrity over time. In industrial applications, copper is often alloyed with other metals to improve its resistance to heat and wear.
Acidic environments can significantly impact copper by accelerating corrosion. When copper is exposed to acids, particularly sulfuric or nitric acid, it dissolves and forms copper salts, which degrade the material. Acid rain, for example, can corrode copper roofing or statues. Similarly, copper’s interaction with chlorine in water (such as in swimming pools) can lead to pitting corrosion, creating small holes in pipes or surfaces. These various factors—oxidation, temperature, and chemical exposure—all influence copper's durability and performance, making it necessary to consider its environment when using it in construction or industrial settings.
Qubit Reactions
Quantum bits, or qubits, are highly sensitive to their surroundings, and external factors like heat, radiation, cold, and movement can have significant effects on their stability and performance. Heat, for instance, introduces thermal noise, which can disrupt the delicate quantum states of qubits. In quantum computing, qubits must maintain superposition and entanglement to process information efficiently. However, thermal energy from the environment can cause decoherence, a process where qubits lose their quantum properties and revert to classical states. To mitigate this, quantum computers are often kept at extremely low temperatures, close to absolute zero, to minimize thermal interference.
Radiation, particularly ionizing radiation, can also disturb qubits by introducing additional energy into the system. This excess energy can flip the states of qubits or cause errors in their quantum operations. Cosmic rays and background radiation from the environment can introduce noise that disrupts quantum computations. Quantum error correction techniques are essential to counteract the effects of radiation, but they require extra qubits and computational overhead, making the process more resource-intensive. Research is ongoing to develop radiation-resistant materials and techniques to improve the robustness of qubits in less controlled environments.
Cold, on the other hand, plays a crucial role in stabilizing qubits, as most quantum systems operate in cryogenic environments. Ultra-low temperatures reduce vibrations and energy fluctuations that could disrupt the qubits’ quantum states. However, even in these cold environments, mechanical movement can affect qubits. Vibrations or shifts in the physical setup of a quantum system, known as phononic noise, can cause phase shifts in qubits, leading to errors. Minimizing mechanical disturbances and isolating qubits from external movement is critical in maintaining their coherence. Overall, quantum bits are highly vulnerable to environmental influences, and maintaining precise control over temperature, radiation, and mechanical stability is essential for their successful operation in quantum computing systems.
Summary
For those entering the quantum ecosystem, it can be valuable to look at the science in multiple ways to find one or more that speak to you. Copper, a metal widely used in today’s electronics, can be significantly impacted by its environment as can its quantum bit relative. Understanding the comparison can help IT and business leaders on their own quantum journey.
Brian Lenahan is founder and chair of the Quantum Strategy Institute, author of seven Amazon published books on quantum technologies and artificial intelligence. Brian’s focus on the practical side of technology ensures you will get the guidance and inspiration you need to gain value from quantum now and into the future. Brian does not purport to be an expert in each field or subfield for which he provides science communication.
Brian’s books are available on Amazon. Quantum Strategy for Business course is available on the QURECA platform.
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