Quantinuum & Partners Run 98-Qubit Quantum Fourier Transform

Quantinuum and partners at Mitsui & Co. and Mitsubishi Electric report demonstrating one of the largest approximate Quantum Fourier Transforms (QFT) using 98 physical qubits on the Quantinuum Helios system. The collaboration also implemented a logical QFT with up to 12 logical qubits, utilizing a Quantum Error Correction (QEC) code, which showcases progress toward more reliable quantum computations.

Mitsui & Co. and Mitsubishi Electric state that a more grounded way to assess progress is through concrete demonstrations of foundational algorithms at meaningful scale, shifting evaluation criteria toward pragmatic benchmarks of core algorithmic primitives like the QFT. This work provides a concrete measure of quantum computing readiness, focusing on current capabilities and the progression of fault-tolerant approaches.

This achievement showcases Quantinuum’s system accuracy and architectural flexibility, allowing for complex computations on a substantial number of qubits. and Mitsubishi Electric advocating for a more pragmatic assessment of progress. Instead of focusing on abstract milestones, the companies are prioritizing concrete demonstrations of algorithms like the QFT, which underpin many potential industrial applications.

In a new white paper, the team measured the viability of running the QFT at scales relevant to real-world problems, successfully executing one of the largest instances of the approximate QFT to date. The QFT is an essential building block for numerous quantum algorithms expected to deliver practical advantages across diverse fields, making this demonstration significant.

The Quantum Fourier Transform shares roots with the classical Fourier Transform (FT), a ubiquitous tool in modern computing used in applications ranging from image analysis to data compression. As the QFT is similarly vital in areas like chemistry and finance, demonstrating its functionality at larger scales and with higher fidelity provides a practical benchmark for evaluating quantum computing readiness.

Mitsui & Co. and Mitsubishi Electric state that by benchmarking the Quantum Fourier Transform on both physical and logical qubits, they are helping to clarify what today’s hardware can already achieve, and where fault-tolerant approaches begin to extend those limits. The team utilized Quantinuum’s Helios quantum computer and Guppy language to explore running the QFT on both physical and logical qubits, confirming that fault tolerance is progressing at a significant rate.

Running the QFT on 98 physical qubits represents a clear progression from previous results, but the implementation of logical qubits marks a crucial step forward. Employing the Steane code, a well-established quantum error correcting code, the team leveraged Helios’ 98 physical qubits to create 12 logical qubits, successfully running the QFT with quantum error correction interwoven into the algorithm itself.

This demonstrates the potential to mitigate errors and improve the reliability of quantum computations, a key challenge in the field. Quantinuum researchers are particularly interested in transforms because they simplify complex problems by changing their form into something more manageable; a company representative explained that “Primitives like Fourier Transform are so widespread because they simplify problems by transforming them into something that is easier to deal with.” This ‘transformational’ approach extends beyond the QFT, with Quantinuum actively developing its own quantum-native transforms to further enhance algorithmic efficiency.

Organizations poised to benefit from quantum computing will likely be those that prioritize these foundational capabilities and build a clear, evidence-based understanding of how the technology aligns with their business objectives.