Japanese scientists have invented an approach to quantum computing that renders a far larger number of calculations more efficiently than existing quantum computers.

They believe the technological building blocks exist and that the quantum loops can be experimentally realized with current technology. Their theoretical works suggests this can scale to millions of qubits for a universal quantum computer.

Above the Loop-based architecture for universal quantum computing is shown, featuring a homodyne detector (HD), displacement operation (Disp.), a phase shifter (PS) and a variable beam splitter (VBS).

Under the new method, many pulses of light, each carrying information, are allowed to go around in a loop circuit indefinitely. The circuit performs multiple tasks, switching from one task to another rapidly through instant manipulations of the pulses.