Chemical Tweak Boosts Potential of Quantum Computing

Researchers discover a way to engineer topological superconductors, a key material for quantum computers.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Researchers at the University of Chicago and West Virginia University have found a way to modify the chemical composition of iron telluride selenide thin films to create topological superconductors, a rare material that is essential for quantum computing. By carefully adjusting the ratio of tellurium to selenium, the team was able to tune the electron correlations in the material, allowing them to deliberately engineer the desired quantum state.

Why it matters

Topological superconductors are highly sought after for quantum computing because their unique quantum states are naturally stable and less vulnerable to the noise that disrupts most quantum systems. This discovery provides a practical path to producing these materials, which have been extremely difficult to create and control in the past.

The details

The researchers focused on ultra-thin films made from tellurium and selenium. By carefully changing the proportion of these elements, they were able to push the material from one quantum phase to another, including the sought-after topological superconductor phase. This works because modifying the tellurium to selenium ratio changes how strongly electrons influence one another, acting as a fine-tuning mechanism to engineer the desired quantum state.

  • The research results were published in Nature Communications in February 2026.

The players

Haoran Lin

A graduate student at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and first author of the new study.

Shuolong Yang

An Assistant Professor of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago and senior author of the new work.

Subhasish Mandal

An assistant professor of physics at West Virginia University and an author on the new paper.

University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering

The research institution where the study was conducted.

West Virginia University

The institution that collaborated with the University of Chicago on this research.

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What they’re saying

“We can tune this correlation effect like a dial. If the correlations are too strong, electrons get frozen in place. If they're too weak, the material loses its special topological properties. But at just the right level, you get a topological superconductor.”

— Haoran Lin, Graduate student (Nature Communications)

“This opens up a new direction for quantum materials research. We've developed a powerful tool for designing the kind of materials that next-generation quantum computers will need.”

— Shuolong Yang, Assistant Professor of Molecular Engineering (Nature Communications)

“This is a unique material because it brings together all the essential ingredients one would hope for in a platform for topological superconductivity: superconductivity itself, strong spin-orbit coupling, and pronounced electronic correlations. This combination makes it an ideal system in which to explore how different quantum effects interact and compete.”

— Subhasish Mandal, Assistant Professor of Physics (Nature Communications)

What’s next

Several research teams are already working with Yang's group to pattern these films and build prototype quantum devices. The researchers continue to investigate other characteristics of thin film iron telluride selenide to better understand its potential for next-generation quantum computing.

The takeaway

This discovery provides a practical path to producing topological superconductors, a rare and essential material for quantum computing. By carefully tuning the chemical composition of thin films, researchers have found a way to deliberately engineer the desired quantum state, opening up new possibilities for advancing quantum technologies.