Quantum computing requires large numbers of high-quality qubits that can be interconnected into error-corrected logical qubits. A key challenge is manufacturing qubits that can move or be reliably linked, as fixed qubits limit scalability. Recent research focuses on trapped ions and photonic interconnects to enable qubit mobility.
In 2025, scientists at the University of Oxford demonstrated a method to transfer quantum information between trapped-ion qubits using photons, achieving a 99.999% fidelity rate. This breakthrough allows qubits to be moved across a chip without losing coherence, a critical step toward modular quantum computers.
Companies like IonQ and Honeywell are pursuing similar approaches, using ion traps that shuttle qubits between zones. Meanwhile, startups like PsiQuantum are developing photonic qubits that can travel through optical fibers, potentially enabling distributed quantum networks.
As of May 2026, no commercial quantum computer has achieved full error correction, but these advances in movable qubits are considered essential for scaling up systems beyond a few hundred qubits. The field remains highly competitive, with governments and private investors funding research worldwide.
