Microsoft has announced a development in scalable quantum computing
Microsoft has unveiled groundbreaking quantum computing advancements, paving the way for practical applications in scientific research and industry
Microsoft has announced a series of breakthrough achievements that could accelerate the development of practical quantum applications.
At the heart of Microsoft’s advancements is the creation of highly reliable logical qubits, the building blocks of quantum computers. In collaboration with Quantinuum, Microsoft has successfully demonstrated 12 entangled logical qubits with unprecedented fidelity. This achievement represents a crucial step towards scalable quantum computing, as logical qubits are essential for error correction in quantum systems.
According to a blog post by Jason Zander, Microsoft’s Executive Vice President of Strategic Missions and Technologies: “We created 12 logical qubits by improving and optimizing our qubit-virtualization system for Quantinuum’s 56-physical-qubits H2 machine.
“When we entangled all 12 logical qubits in a complex state required for ‘deeper’ quantum computation, they exhibited a 22X circuit error rate improvement over the corresponding physical qubits.”
Noise and errors have been major obstacles in the development of quantum computers. Current quantum systems, known as noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) machines, suffer from high error rates that limit their practical applications. Microsoft’s approach of using logical qubits to combine multiple physical qubits aims to address this fundamental challenge.
Microsoft solution helping address quantum challenges
Beyond hardware advancements, Microsoft is also making strides in integrating quantum computing with other cutting-edge technologies. The company has demonstrated the first end-to-end chemistry simulation that combines logical quantum computation with cloud high-performance computing (HPC) and AI. This hybrid approach showcases the potential for quantum computers to tackle complex scientific problems that are currently intractable for classical computers.
“We must leverage the best of computing to unlock a new generation of hybrid quantum applications that could solve some of our most pressing challenges – from pioneering more sustainable energy solutions to transforming how we treat disease with the next generation of life-saving therapeutics,” Zander explains.
Microsoft’s vision extends beyond its own research efforts. The company has announced a new collaboration with Atom Computing to develop what they claim will be “the world’s most powerful quantum machine.” This partnership aims to integrate Atom Computing’s neutral-atom hardware into Microsoft’s Azure Quantum compute platform, potentially offering customers access to cutting-edge quantum capabilities through the cloud.
Key facts
- Microsoft demonstrated 12 entangled logical qubits, the largest number with the highest fidelity on record
- The 12 logical qubits showed a 22X circuit error rate improvement over corresponding physical qubits
- The error rate of Microsoft’s logical qubits is 800x better than physical qubits, as announced in April
The significance of these developments lies in their potential to bridge the gap between theoretical quantum computing and practical applications. While quantum computers have long promised to revolutionize fields such as cryptography, drug discovery and financial modelling, the technology has remained largely experimental. Microsoft’s advancements suggest that the era of practical quantum computing may be drawing closer.
However, challenges remain. Scaling up quantum systems while maintaining coherence and minimizing errors is an ongoing battle. Microsoft’s approach of focusing on logical qubits and error correction, rather than simply increasing the number of physical qubits, reflects a growing consensus in the field that quality is as important as quantity when it comes to quantum bits.
The company’s strategy also highlights the importance of ecosystem collaboration in advancing quantum technology. By partnering with hardware specialists like Quantinuum and Atom Computing, Microsoft is leveraging diverse expertise to tackle the multifaceted challenges of quantum computing.
As Zander notes: “We are bringing these technologies together in a purpose-built cloud platform that leverages the complementary strengths of both AI for large-scale data processing and quantum for complex calculations and unprecedented accuracy.”
While the full realization of quantum computing’s potential may still be years away, Microsoft’s recent announcements represent significant progress towards that goal. As the company continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in quantum technology, the broader implications for science, industry, and society are becoming increasingly tangible.
“We remain committed to achieving quantum at scale so we can solve commercially significant problems that are far too complex for classical computers,” he adds.
Credit: Markus Law