Turning crystal flaws into quantum highways: A new route towards scalable solid-state qubits

Researchers propose using crystal dislocations—long dismissed as material flaws—as quantum interconnects to link qubits without disrupting their fragile states, addressing a major scalability challenge in solid-state quantum computing. Published in npj Computational Materials (January 2026), the theoretical study redefines line defects in crystals as functional pathways for quantum information transfer, potentially enabling more stable and efficient qubit networks. The approach leverages inherent atomic imperfections to create "quantum highways," reducing reliance on external wiring or error-prone intermediary systems that degrade qubit coherence. Unlike conventional methods, this technique exploits existing material properties, offering a cost-effective and scalable solution for integrating qubits in large-scale quantum processors. If experimentally validated, the discovery could accelerate development of fault-tolerant quantum computers by turning structural weaknesses into a fundamental advantage for quantum connectivity.