IBM Updates Quantum Computing Roadmap, Aiming for Error-Corrected Qubits by Decade's End

IBM has reached a significant milestone in its quantum computing roadmap with the release of two advanced quantum systems, marking an ongoing journey toward practical quantum computing. The systems, powered by the Condor and Heron processors, are setting the stage for future developments aimed at achieving error-corrected quantum computation within this decade.

The Quantum Leap: Condor and Heron Processors

The Condor processor represents a breakthrough as the largest transmon-based quantum processor to date, featuring 1,121 functioning qubits. The Heron processor, alternatively, utilizes a set of three chips, each holding 133 qubits. The smaller processors, including Heron and its forthcoming successor Flamingo, are vital components of IBM's strategy moving forward.

Striving for Error-Corrected Quantum Computing

Error correction is paramount for quantum computing, as qubits are highly susceptible to errors across various stages—initializing the state, maintaining it, performing operations, and reading out the data. Developing error-corrected qubits, which distribute the information of a single logical qubit across multiple hardware qubits for monitoring and error correction, is the goal for robust quantum computation.

Advancements in individual qubit quality with successive versions of the Flamingo chip enable this vision, as error rates must be low enough for reliable correction mechanisms. IBM's projections now include a significant number of logical qubits operative by the end of this decade, poised to handle more complex quantum algorithms beyond the capabilities of current systems.

Focus on Quality and Error Minimization

IBM's roadmap emphasizes two primary objectives for quantum advancement. Firstly, the manufacturing of high-fidelity qubits in large quantities, exemplified by the Condor's impressive qubit count. Secondly, enhancing the performance of quantum gates—operations on individual qubits or pairs—and reducing associated errors such as crosstalk between qubits.

Recent progress includes the Heron's refined gate performance, a product of a four-year effort which significantly lowers error rates to negligible levels. The upcoming iterations of the 133-qubit Heron and 156-qubit Flamingo are anticipated to extend gate operations dramatically, propelling the roadmap ahead with interconnected larger processors like Crossbill and Kookaburra, testing innovative methods for qubit connectivity.

IBM, quantum, roadmap