Google’s Quantum AI researchers have experimentally demonstrated the possibility of reducing quantum errors by increasing the number of qubits for the first time. The breakthrough represents a significant shift in operating quantum computers. As a result, Google outperformed a logical qubit made from 49 physical qubits by a qubit made from 17 qubits.
Instead of using individual physical qubits on our quantum processor, Google approached it as a single logical qubit. By far, Google’s Quantum Computer was the first to outperform the fastest supercomputer during the execution of a particular computational task three years ago, marking it as a massive milestone for the company.
One qubit up for a step closer to error-free Quantum Computers
Now, the company is ready to take another huge step forward, for its Quantum AI researchers have successfully demonstrated through an experiment of reducing errors by increasing the number of qubits. In quantum information theory, a qubit is a fundamental unit of quantum information that can hold several states beyond 0 and 1.
The milestone is a huge advantage for the industry since the first quantum computers worked by manipulating qubits systematically, referred to as Quantum Algorithms. The challenge is that qubits are so sensitive that even scattered light can cause computation errors, and the problem worsens as the Quantum Computer grows.
This has significant implications because the best quantum algorithms require a much lower error rate from current qubits. Thus, Quantum Error-Correction is needed to close this gap.
Quantum Error-Correction is the key
Quantum error correction protects information from a physical qubit to a logical one. The approach is that instead of calculating with individual qubits, Google will use logarithmic qubits. Converting a more significant number of physical qubits on the quantum processor into logical qubits, is theoretically assumed to reduce error rates and enable practical quantum algorithms.
The development of quantum processors is also an excellent test bed for KI-based technology as we investigate using machine learning to improve our processes.
According to Google, quantum computing must be developed responsibly, given its vast potential. Their partnerships with the governments and the security community enable them to develop systems to protect internet traffic from future attacks on quantum computing. And ensure that services like Google Cloud, Android, and Chrome will be safe and secure even in the Quantum future.
Read more about it here.
