In a significant stride towards the commercialization of quantum computing, Microsoft and Quantinuum have announced a breakthrough that enhances the reliability of quantum computers. This advancement brings the promise of quantum technology closer to practical application, potentially revolutionizing industries worldwide.
Quantum computers operate on the principles of quantum mechanics, utilizing quantum bits, or \”qubits\”, to perform complex calculations at speeds unattainable by classical computers. However, qubits are notoriously fragile and can produce errors when subjected to even the slightest disturbances, posing a major challenge in quantum computing development.
Addressing this issue, Microsoft applied an innovative error-correction algorithm to Quantinuum’s physical qubits. This collaboration resulted in yielding about four reliable qubits from 30 physical ones, marking a significant improvement in qubit reliability ratios.
\”We ran more than 14,000 individual experiments without a single error,\” said Jason Zander, Microsoft’s Executive Vice President for Strategic Missions and Technologies. \”That’s up to 800 times better than anything on record.\”
This breakthrough is a crucial step towards achieving the estimated requirement of approximately 100 reliable qubits needed to outperform conventional supercomputers. While neither company specified a timeline to reach this goal, Ilyas Khan, Chief Product Officer of Quantinuum, expressed optimism. \”The current view is that we have lopped at least two years off that, if not more,\” he stated.
The implications of this advancement are far-reaching. Enhanced quantum computing capabilities could accelerate developments in fields such as cryptography, drug discovery, financial modeling, and complex system simulations. For Asia’s rapidly growing tech industries and markets, this could unlock new opportunities and foster innovation across the region.
Microsoft plans to make this technology available to its cloud computing customers in the coming months, potentially enabling businesses and researchers to leverage quantum computing advancements sooner than anticipated.
As the global race for quantum supremacy intensifies, breakthroughs like this highlight the collaborative efforts driving the technology forward. The progress made by Microsoft and Quantinuum underscores the transformative potential of quantum computing and its impending impact on global technological landscapes.
Reference(s):
Microsoft, Quantinuum claim breakthrough in quantum computing
cgtn.com
