A Giant Leap in Computational Power
In a breakthrough that pushes the boundaries of modern physics and computing, scientists from the Chinese mainland have developed a new programmable quantum computing prototype known as "Jiuzhang 4.0." According to a study published this past Wednesday in the journal Nature, the prototype has set a new world record for optical quantum information technology.
Led by the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), the research team utilized the prototype to tackle the Gaussian boson sampling problem. The results were staggering: Jiuzhang 4.0 solved the problem at a speed more than 10 to the 54th power times faster than the world's most powerful supercomputer.
Scaling New Heights
The leap in performance is driven by a significant increase in the system's capacity to handle quantum states. Researchers successfully manipulated and detected up to 3,050 photons—a massive increase compared to the 255 photons managed by its predecessor, Jiuzhang 3.0.
While mainstream quantum computing research currently explores several paths—including superconducting, ion trap, and neutral atom systems—the Jiuzhang series focuses on the photonic route. This approach encodes quantum bits using photons, performing complex computations through the precise manipulation and measurement of light particles.
A Legacy of Innovation
This achievement is the latest milestone in a journey that began in 2020. Since the construction of the first prototype, the series has undergone continuous upgrades, repeatedly demonstrating "quantum computational advantage" and redefining the limits of speed and efficiency in the digital age.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
