The coherence time of a qubit, which indicates how long it can interact with the outside world, has improved significantly, increasing about tenfold every three years over the past 15 years.

The ability to perform hundreds of thousands of operations per second in quantum computing means that even a short decoherence time can be sufficient for many calculations.

The key to effective quantum computing is ensuring qubits interact as desired, rather than just focusing on increasing coherence times.

In quantum computing, the challenge is to keep qubits isolated to prevent decoherence, which can be achieved through various techniques, including using vacuum chambers and ion traps.

The ion trap method, which uses individual atoms as qubits, is a leading approach in quantum computing due to its ability to maintain quantum states effectively by isolating atoms from their surroundings.

The ion trap technology is not only effective but also relatively straightforward, relying on basic principles of physics to manipulate atoms for quantum computing purposes. The system successfully isolates natural quantum units from the rest of the universe, allowing them to maintain delicate quantum states for extended periods and enabling high-level control and interaction between them, making them the gold standard of qubits.

Superconducting circuits and trapped ions are currently the most advanced technologies in quantum computing, with superconducting circuits likely to lead in the next five to ten years.

Ion traps allow for precise manipulation of charged atoms in a vacuum, enabling the creation of stable qubits that can perform complex calculations without interference from the environment.

Achieving high fidelity in qubit operations is crucial; the Oxford team has reached a fidelity of 99.9%, which is essential for reliable quantum computing operations.