Google says it’s made a major breakthrough in making quantum computing more accurate
The company has managed to reduce errors
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Google’s quantum department reckons it’s found a way to significantly reduce the number of errors made by quantum computers as it prepares for the future of computation.
Quantum computing is valued for its ability to make calculations that traditional computers wouldn’t typically be able to make, resulting in incredibly powerful machines. The trade-off, though, is a high rate of errors that renders many calculations unreliable.
Google says that the error rate of the quantum bits in its third-generation Sycamore processor typically sits between 1 in 10,000 and 1 in 100.
Google’s quantum computing breakthrough
According to VP of Engineering Hartmut Neven and Director of Quantum Hardware Julian Kelly, the industry will need rates in the range of 1 in 10,000,000,000 to 1 in 10,000,000 to run quantum circuits that can solve industrially relevant problems.
Theblogpost explains: “Under the right conditions, the more physical qubits used to build a logical qubit, the better that logical qubit becomes.” This is only true if the benefits of quantum error correction outweigh the added errors from each additional physical qubit.
The Google Quantum AI Team managed a first-ever for any quantum computing platform and produced an error-correcting code called a surface code.
The best small business servers>Major quantum computing breakthrough could mean the revolution is here>IBM says quantum computing could be a big risk to the future of encryption
The process involves repetition so that any errors that occur, such as flipped bits, can be ruled out by what the researchers describe as a majority vote.
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
This is just part of the company’s projected pathway that involves six steps, finally culminating in error-corrected quantum computing. The company has recently entered the second stage of its roadmap to produce a logical qubit prototype and hopes to make a long-lived logical qubit beyond 2025.
Despite what the company sees as a huge breakthrough, we’re likely several years (or even decades) away from error-free quantum computing, and it’s clear that there’s a long journey ahead.
With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!
7 myths about email security everyone should stop believing
Best Usenet client of 2024
The 6 best electric motorcycle concepts and launches from EICMA 2024
