IBM’s quantum processors have reached 98.05% fidelity in calculations—and maintained 84.87% of this precision for 55 microseconds, the longest period on record. The result, published in Nature Communications, alters expectations regarding the biggest hurdle in quantum computing: error.
Researchers utilized IBM’s 127-qubit quantum processors, known as Kyiv and Marrakesh, which employ a combination of physical and logical qubits. Physical qubits are grouped to form logical qubits, storing the same information in different locations, ensuring that if one physical qubit fails, others can correct the error. However, the system is vulnerable to logical errors when multiple physical qubits fail simultaneously.
To overcome this limitation, the team developed a hybrid approach that suppresses errors before they occur, reducing the amount of undetectable logical errors. This innovative technique, called normalizer dynamic decoupling (NDD), achieved a peak encoding fidelity of 98.05%, maintaining 84.87% fidelity after 55 microseconds, surpassing previous records.
NDD regulates logical qubits instead of acting solely on the hardware layer, using a mathematical normalizer based on the running quantum code. This allows pulses to occur in sync with the machine code, resulting in high-fidelity calculations for an extended period.
While 55 microseconds of high-fidelity activity may seem insufficient for practical applications, this advancement represents a crucial step toward developing quantum computers capable of performing useful operations, such as executing Shor’s algorithm to break encryptions. In comparison, classical computers would take trillions of years to perform such calculations.
This progress in quantum computing is essential for the future of technology, as it promises to revolutionize areas ranging from cryptography to complex system modeling. As the fidelity of quantum calculations continues to improve, we can anticipate a significant transformation in global computational capacity, reinforcing the technological sovereignty of countries investing in this strategic area.
These developments, as detailed on the Live Science portal, indicate a promising future for quantum computing and its applications across various industries.
With information from livescience.com.
Original published at O Cafezinho.