On the Potential of Microtubules for Scalable Quantum Computation

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of microtubules in neurons as natural quantum computing structures, proposing mechanisms for sustained coherence and information processing at physiological temperatures.

Contribution

It introduces a physical model where microtubules act as high-Q QED cavities supporting decoherence-resistant entangled states, enabling scalable quantum computation with biological components.

Findings

Microtubules can support quantum coherence times of around 10^{-6} seconds.

Strong electric dipole interactions facilitate extended coherence within microtubules.

Proposed experimental methods to validate biomatter-based quantum computation.

Abstract

We examine the quantum coherence properties of tubulin heterodimers arranged into the protofilaments of cytoskeletal microtubules. In the physical model proposed by the authors, the microtubule interiors are treated as high-Q quantum electrodynamics (QED) cavities that can support decoherence-resistant entangled states under physiological conditions, with decoherence times of the order of $\mathcal{O}(10^{-6})$ sec. We identify strong electric dipole interactions between tubulin dimers and ordered water dipole quanta within the microtuble interior as the mechanism responsible for the extended coherence times. Classical nonlinear (pseudospin) $\sigma$-models describing solitonic excitations are reinterpreted as emergent quantum-coherent-or possibly pointer-states, arising from incomplete collapse of dipole-aligned quantum states. These solitons mediate dissipation-free energy transfer along microtubule filaments. We discuss logic-gate-like behavior facilitated by microtubule-associated proteins, and outline how such structures may enable scalable, ambient-temperature quantum computation, with the fundamental unit of information storage realized as a quDit encoded in the tubulin dipole state. We further describe a process akin to decision making that emerges following an external stimulus, whereby optimal, energy-loss-free signal and information transport pathways are selected across the microtubular network. Finally, we propose experimental approaches-including Rabi-splitting spectroscopy and entangled surface plasmon probes-to validate the use of biomatter as a substrate for scalable quantum computation.