In collaboration with research led by Harvard University, QuEra Computing, MIT, and NIST/UMD have made a significant breakthrough in quantum computing, successfully executing large-scale algorithms on a quantum computer with 48 logical qubits. This advancement could lead to the development of scalable and fault-tolerant quantum computers capable of solving complex problems. The research, published in Nature, also demonstrated quantum error correction in 48 logical qubits, enhancing computational stability and reliability. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the National Science Foundation, the Center for Ultracold Atoms, and the Army Research Office supported the work.
Quantum Computing Breakthrough: 48 Logical Qubits Achieved
A significant breakthrough has been announced by collaborator QuEra Computing, a company specializing in neutral-atom quantum computers. The research, published in the scientific journal Nature, was conducted in collaboration with a number of universities and led by Harvard University, MIT, and NIST/UMD.
The team successfully executed large-scale algorithms on an error-corrected quantum computer with 48 logical qubits and hundreds of entangling logical operations. This development is a substantial step forward in quantum computing, paving the way for creating scalable and fault-tolerant quantum computers capable of solving complex problems currently intractable for classical computers.
The full research paper can be accessed on Nature’s website. The achievement of 48 logical qubits in a fault-tolerant quantum computing environment has been recognized for its potential to revolutionize data analytics and financial simulations. This brings us closer to a future where quantum computing is not just an experimental endeavor but a practical tool that can deliver real-world solutions.
Overcoming Noise: The Role of Quantum Error Correction
One of the main challenges preventing quantum computing from reaching its full potential is the noise that affects qubits, corrupting computations before they can reach the desired results. Quantum error correction overcomes these limitations by creating “logical qubits,” groups of physical qubits that are entangled to store information redundantly. This redundancy allows for identifying and correcting errors that may occur during quantum computations. By using logical qubits instead of individual physical qubits, quantum systems can achieve a level of fault tolerance, making them more robust and reliable for complex computations.
“We at Moody’s Analytics recognize the monumental significance of achieving 48 logical qubits in a fault-tolerant quantum computing environment and its potential to revolutionize data analytics and financial simulations,” said Sergio Gago, Managing Director of Quantum and AI at Moody’s Analytics, “This brings us closer to a future where quantum computing is not just an experimental endeavor but a practical tool that can deliver real-world solutions for our clients. This pivotal moment could redefine how industries approach complex computational challenges.”
Quantum Error Correction: A Significant Leap Forward
Previous demonstrations of error correction have showcased one, two, or three logical qubits. This new work demonstrates quantum error correction in 48 logical qubits, enhancing computational stability and reliability while addressing the error problem. On the path to large-scale quantum computation, the team reported the following critical achievements: creation and entanglement of the largest logical qubits to date, realization of 48 small logical qubits that were used to execute complex algorithms, and construction of 40 medium-sized error-correcting codes by controlling 280 physical qubits.
Advanced Neutral-Atom System Quantum Computer: The Key to the Breakthrough
The breakthrough was achieved using an advanced neutral-atom system quantum computer, combining hundreds of qubits, high two-qubit gate fidelities, arbitrary connectivity, fully programmable single-qubit rotations, and mid-circuit readout. The system also included hardware-efficient control in reconfigurable neutral-atom arrays, employing direct, parallel control over an entire group of logical qubits. This parallel control dramatically reduces the control overhead and complexity of performing logical operations. As quantum computers scale to many thousands of qubits, efficient control becomes critically important.
The Future of Quantum Computing
The achievement of 48 logical qubits with high fault tolerance is a significant moment in the quantum computing industry. This breakthrough not only accelerates the timeline for practical quantum applications but also opens up new avenues for solving problems that were previously considered intractable by classical computing methods. It significantly elevates the commercial viability of quantum computing. Businesses across sectors should take note, as the race to quantum advantage just got a major boost. QuEra Computing, along with its academic collaborators, is setting the stage for a new era of scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing that can tackle some of the world’s most complex problems.
“The achievement of 48 logical qubits with high fault tolerance is a watershed moment in the quantum computing industry,” said Matt Langione, Partner at the Boston Consulting Group. “This breakthrough not only accelerates the timeline for practical quantum applications but also opens up new avenues for solving problems that were previously considered intractable by classical computing methods. It’s a game-changer that significantly elevates the commercial viability of quantum computing. Businesses across sectors should take note, as the race to quantum advantage just got a major boost.”
“Today marks a historic milestone for QuEra and the broader quantum computing community,” said Alex Keesling, CEO, QuEra Computing, “These achievements are the culmination of a multi-year effort, led by our Harvard and MIT academic collaborators together with QuEra scientists and engineers, to push the boundaries of what’s possible in quantum computing. This isn’t just a technological leap; it’s a testament to the power of collaboration and investment in pioneering research. We’re thrilled to set the stage for a new era of scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing that can tackle some of the world’s most complex problems. The future of quantum is here, and QuEra is proud to be at the forefront of this revolution.”
“This is a truly exciting time in our field as the fundamental ideas of quantum error correction and fault tolerance are starting to bear fruit,” said Mikhail Lukin, the Joshua and Beth Friedman University Professor, co-director of the Harvard Quantum Initiative, and co-founder of QuEra Computing. “This work, leveraging the outstanding recent progress in the neutral-atom quantum computing community, is a testament to the incredible effort of exceptionally talented students and postdocs as well as our remarkable collaborators at QuEra, MIT, and NIST/UMD. Although we are clear-eyed about the challenges ahead, we expect that this new advance will greatly accelerate the progress towards large-scale, useful quantum computers, enabling the next phase of discovery and innovation.”
Quick Summary
Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in quantum computing by successfully executing large-scale algorithms on an error-corrected quantum computer with 48 logical qubits, paving the way for developing scalable and fault-tolerant quantum computers. This advancement addresses a critical challenge in quantum computing – the noise that affects qubits and corrupts computations – by using ‘logical qubits’, groups of physical qubits entangled to store information redundantly, thus allowing for the identification and correction of errors during quantum computations.
- Research led by Harvard University, QuEra Computing, MIT, and NIST/UMD has made a significant breakthrough in quantum computing, as published in the scientific journal Nature.
- The team successfully executed large-scale algorithms on an error-corrected quantum computer with 48 logical qubits and hundreds of entangling logical operations.
- This advancement is a major step towards developing scalable and fault-tolerant quantum computers capable of solving complex problems currently intractable for classical computers.
- Quantum error correction, a method that uses groups of entangled physical qubits to create “logical qubits”, was used to overcome the noise that affects qubits and corrupts computations.
- The research demonstrated quantum error correction in 48 logical qubits, enhancing computational stability and reliability.
- The team achieved the creation and entanglement of the largest logical qubits to date, the execution of complex algorithms using 48 small logical qubits, and the construction of 40 medium-sized error-correcting codes by controlling 280 physical qubits.
- The breakthrough was achieved using an advanced neutral-atom system quantum computer, which combined hundreds of qubits, high two-qubit gate fidelities, arbitrary connectivity, fully programmable single-qubit rotations, and mid-circuit readout.
- The work was supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the National Science Foundation, the Center for Ultracold Atoms, and the Army Research Office.
- Key individuals involved in the work include Mikhail Lukin, co-director of the Harvard Quantum Initiative and co-founder of QuEra Computing, and Alex Keesling, CEO of QuEra Computing.
“Our experience in manufacturing and operating quantum computers – such as our first-generation machine available on a public cloud since 2022 – coupled with this groundbreaking research, puts us in a prime position to lead the quantum revolution,”
Alex Keesling, CEO of QuEra Computing
