Microscopic measurements taken of a superconducting qubit show that, when cooled to cryogenic temperatures, nano-sized particulates of a niobium hydride compound appear within the niobium grains. These hydrides have poor superconducting properties compared to niobium so they possibly can contribute to the decoherence of qubits. Image A shows a diffraction pattern taken from the niobium hydride precipitate, which confirms their existence in niobium grains, and the distribution of these precipitates is detailed in B and C. Photo: SQMS Center