The landmark discovery is hoped to both increase storage space and speed-up quantum computing. The research was focused on quantum computing, a cutting-edge method allowing for exponentially faster performance than traditional computing. In quantum computing, data is processed in qubits instead of traditional binary bits in the form of 0s and 1s.

This allows values between 0 and 1 to be tabulated, instantaneously accelerating the speed data can be processed.

This new topological state can be manipulated in ways that could both speed calculation in quantum computing and boost storage Professor Javad Shabani

Professor Javad Shabani, of New York University, said: “Our research has succeeded in revealing experimental evidence for a new state of matter—topological superconductivity. “This new topological state can be manipulated in ways that could both speed calculation in quantum computing and boost storage.” Professor Shabani and his team examined a transition of quantum state from its conventional state to a new topological state, measuring the energy barrier between these states. READ MORE: CERN’s hunt for matter’s ‘EVIL TWIN’

New state of matter: The breakthrough promises a revolution in computing performance

New state of matter: Quantum computing allows for exponentially faster computing power

The physicists managed this by directly measuring signature characteristics of this transition in the order parameter governing the new topological superconductivity phase. They focused on bizarre Majorana particles, which are their own antiparticles, substances with the same mass, but with the opposite physical charge. Majorana particles fascinate physicists due to their potential to store quantum information in a special computation space where quantum information is protected from the environment noise. However, there is no natural host material for these particles, also known as Majorana fermions. READ MORE: Scientists probe supermassive BLACK HOLE to disprove Einstein's theory of gravity

Researchers consequently have sought to synthesise new forms of matter on which these calculations could be conducted. Professor Shabani added: ”The new discovery of topological superconductivity in a two-dimensional platform paves the way for building scalable topological qubits to not only store quantum information, but also to manipulate the quantum states that are free of error. The revolutionary discovery coincides with another finding fuelling hopes quantum computers will soon become commercially viable. The superconductor material, uranium ditelluride (UTe2), was first developed in the 1970s, but scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have discovered previously unknown properties of it that could prove vital to the development of quantum computers. READ MORE: Mysterious signals 1.5 billion light years away could be proof of alien life

New state of matter: This new topological state can be manipulated to accelerate computing power

New state of matter: Majorana particles are their own antiparticles