The group's research focused on phosphorus atoms in silicon. The best attempts previously have flowed a current past the electrons via small electrical wires, but that has brought in a lot of quantum noise, removing a key advantage of the material, Morley said.

The researchers hope their work will allow them to build a quantum supercomputer, though it may take time.

"It's impossible to predict when or if a quantum computer will be built. I would hope to see one in a research lab in the next 15 to 20 years," Morley said.

But beyond the tough challenges, quantum computers will solve computational problems that plague today's computers, Morley said. "For example, we could simulate the behavior of large biological molecules and drugs to find new medicines," he said.

The paper appeared in the publication.