Rigetti and Riverlane Achieve Real-Time Quantum Error Correction Breakthrough on 84 Qubit QPU

Rigetti, a pioneer in full-stack quantum-classical computing, has made significant progress towards developing fault-tolerant quantum computers with real-time and low-latency error correction on its 84-qubit Ankaa-2 system. By integrating Riverlane’s quantum error decoder into the control system of Rigetti’s quantum computer, the team demonstrated real-time, low-latency quantum error correction, a critical process for developing fault-tolerant quantum computers.

This achievement is an important step towards realizing the full potential of quantum computers. Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, CEO of Rigetti, emphasized that high fidelities are not enough to make a quantum computer useful and that classical computing components, including error correction, play a crucial role in making the system work. Steve Brierley, CEO of Riverlane, highlighted that this experiment represents a significant step towards executing quantum error correction at scale, which requires real-time and on-real hardware processing.

Progress Towards Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing with Real-Time Error Correction

Rigetti, a pioneer in full-stack quantum-classical computing, has made significant progress towards developing fault-tolerant quantum computers by demonstrating real-time and low-latency quantum error correction on their 84-qubit Ankaa-2 system. This achievement was made possible by integrating Riverlane‘s quantum error decoder into the control system of Rigetti’s quantum computer.

Fault tolerance is a critical requirement for large-scale quantum computing, as it enables lengthy operations to execute without a single error due to the application of quantum error correction. To achieve this, the co-development of quantum error correction and quantum computing technologies is necessary. The recent work by Rigetti and Riverlane marks an important step in this journey.

Classical algorithms and decoders play a crucial role in identifying errors during quantum computation. However, one of the challenges in improving the utility of decoders is addressing the problem of the backlog of computations that accumulate as the decoder processes data. To avoid this backlog problem, the decoding needs to occur at the same speed as the quantum circuit. The experiment demonstrated by Rigetti and Riverlane showcased decoding times faster than the 1-microsecond threshold for generating measurement data on a superconducting qubit device, ensuring that the backlog problem is avoided and low-latency feedback can be maintained during quantum error correction operations.

The successful demonstration of real-time and low-latency quantum error correction has significant implications for developing fault-tolerant quantum computers. As Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, Rigetti CEO, noted, “High fidelities are not enough to make a quantum computer useful. Many classical computing components are at play that make the system work, including with error correction.” The partnership between Rigetti and Riverlane has been instrumental in achieving this milestone, and their continued collaboration will be crucial in realizing the full potential of quantum computers.

The Importance of System Speed in Quantum Computing

One significant benefit of superconducting qubits is that they can attain much higher gate speeds than other modalities. Rigetti’s system gate speeds consistently achieve an active duration of 60-80 nanoseconds, which is four orders of magnitude faster than systems based on ion traps and pure atoms. System speed is critical in enabling hybrid computing with current CPUs/GPUs.

The high gate speeds achieved by Rigetti’s superconducting qubits have demonstrated real-time and low-latency quantum error correction. This has significant implications for developing fault-tolerant quantum computers, as it allows for integrating quantum error correction technology with fast-feedback control systems. As Steve Brierley, Riverlane CEO, noted, “To execute quantum error correction at scale, we need QEC to happen in real-time and on real hardware.”

The Role of Quantum Error Decoders in Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing

Quantum error decoders play a critical role in identifying errors that occur during quantum computation. These classical algorithms are essential for the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers, as they enable the correction of errors in real-time. Riverlane’s quantum error decoder has been instrumental in achieving the milestone of real-time and low-latency quantum error correction on Rigetti’s 84-qubit Ankaa-2 system.

The integration of Riverlane’s quantum error decoder into the control system of Rigetti’s quantum computer has enabled the demonstration of real-time and low-latency quantum error correction. This achievement marks a significant step towards the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers, as it showcases the ability of Riverlane’s QEC technology to integrate seamlessly with fast-feedback control systems.

The Future of Quantum Computing: Large-Scale Error Correction

Rigetti’s longtime partnership with Riverlane also includes collaborating on a 24-qubit Ankaa-class system at the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre. The long-term objective of this collaboration is to achieve large-scale error correction, which will be critical for the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers.

The successful demonstration of real-time and low-latency quantum error correction by Rigetti and Riverlane marks an important step towards achieving this goal. As the technology continues to advance, it is likely that we will see significant progress towards the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers in the near future.

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Quantum News

Quantum News

As the Official Quantum Dog (or hound) by role is to dig out the latest nuggets of quantum goodness. There is so much happening right now in the field of technology, whether AI or the march of robots. But Quantum occupies a special space. Quite literally a special space. A Hilbert space infact, haha! Here I try to provide some of the news that might be considered breaking news in the Quantum Computing space.

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