A Giant Leap for Quantum Computing: Record Entanglement of Logical Qubits
The race to build dependable quantum computers, machines capable of solving problems beyond the reach of classical computers, just took a monumental leap forward. A team of researchers has achieved a world record, entangling 24 "logical qubits." This achievement signifies a crucial step towards creating fault-tolerant quantum systems, the key to unlocking the full potential of quantum computing for scientific and technological advancements.
Classical computers rely on bits, which can exist as either 0 or 1. Quantum computers, however, utilize qubits, which can be 0, 1, or both simultaneously thanks to a phenomenon called superposition. While promising, building with individual qubits is incredibly difficult. They are fragile and prone to errors caused by environmental factors, like tiny fluctuations in temperature or electromagnetic fields.
To combat this fragility, researchers have been developing "logical qubits", essentially super-qubits constructed from multiple physical qubits. This strategy allows for built-in error correction. If one physical qubit within a logical qubit falters, the others can detect and rectify the error, preserving vital quantum information.
This recent breakthrough, achieved by scientists from Atom Computing and Microsoft, involved entangling a remarkable 24 logical qubits. They utilized Atom Computing’s "neutral-atom quantum processor," a system that manipulates individual atoms with lasers to process and store quantum information. Microsoft’s "qubit-virtualization system" played a vital role by detecting and correcting errors in real-time, ensuring the stability of the entangled logical qubits.
While 24 logical qubits might not seem like a vast number, it represents a major milestone in the quest for scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computers. It demonstrates the feasibility of creating complex, reliable quantum systems capable of solving real-world problems.
"Fault tolerant quantum computing is essential for being able to solve large computational problems that enable scientific and economic value beyond classical computing," said representatives from Atom Computing. "With these results, we have now demonstrated all of the key ingredients necessary for supporting quantum error correction."
To further demonstrate the power and stability of these entangled logical qubits, the researchers conducted complex computations using 28 of them. They successfully maintained error correction as the system grew in complexity, highlighting the potential for scaling up these quantum systems without sacrificing reliability.
"By coupling our state-of-the-art neutral-atom qubits with Microsoft’s qubit-virtualization system, we are now able to offer reliable logical qubits on a commercial quantum machine," said Ben Bloom, founder and CEO of Atom Computing. "This system will enable rapid progress in multiple fields including chemistry and materials science."
This achievement opens exciting doors in fields like drug discovery, materials science, and artificial intelligence. It marks a pivotal moment in the development of quantum computers, bringing us closer than ever to harnessing their unprecedented computational power for groundbreaking innovations.
