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Quantum computer with record accuracy developed

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A South Korean quantum computing company, Quantinuum, has developed a quantum computer named Helios with a record-low error rate of 0.079%.
  • Helios utilizes a trapped-ion method with a barium ion and a visible light laser, overcoming the high error rates of previous quantum computers and the limitations of speed and scalability in trapped-ion systems.
  • The breakthrough achieves quantum advantage with high accuracy, potentially paving the way for more affordable and commercially viable quantum computers, and highlights South Korea's potential role in the quantum computing supply chain through its semiconductor manufacturing expertise.

South Korean quantum computing firm Quantinuum has achieved a significant milestone in quantum computing with its Helios chip, boasting an unprecedented error rate of 0.079%. This development, published in the journal Nature, marks a substantial leap beyond previous quantum computers that, while achieving quantum advantage, suffered from high error rates.

This achievement represents an essential leap for the trapped-ion method to advance towards large-scale quantum computing, although continuous engineering challenges remain.

— Crystal NoelProfessor at Duke University, USA, commenting on the significance of Quantinuum's breakthrough in a Nature commentary.

Helios employs a trapped-ion approach, a method distinct from the superconducting technology favored by companies like Google and IBM. While trapped-ion systems offer superior qubit stability and uniformity by using naturally occurring ions, they have historically faced challenges with speed and scalability. Quantinuum's innovation lies in using a barium ion, which allows for control with stable visible light lasers, drastically reducing errors compared to the ultraviolet lasers typically required. They also incorporated an ytterbium ion for cooling, maintaining the delicate quantum state during computation. The hardware architecture was also redesigned with a "crossroads" system for ion movement, enhancing efficiency and overcoming bottlenecks.

The crossroads structure for freely moving ions is advantageous for scaling up. Verifying this technology confirms the possibility of future expansion to 2D lattice-type ion traps.

— Kim Tae-hyunProfessor at Seoul National University, South Korea, highlighting the scalability implications of the new hardware structure.

This advancement has yielded a "2-qubit gate" fidelity of 99.921%, the highest ever recorded for a trapped-ion quantum computer of this scale. Testing via random circuit sampling confirmed Helios's ability to outperform the world's top supercomputers on certain tasks. Experts note that doubling the qubit count from previous models while improving accuracy is Helios's key achievement. The use of visible light lasers also makes this method more cost-effective and commercially viable than other trapped-ion approaches.

This research has undeniably achieved quantum advantage, demonstrating more persuasively that quantum systems can surpass classical computers for specific problems.

— Kim Ki-hwanResearch fellow at the Center for Quantum Materials, Institute for Basic Science, South Korea, evaluating the research's impact on quantum supremacy claims.

Looking ahead, the development of complex circuitry for scaling up trapped-ion quantum computers, potentially to millions of qubits, could leverage South Korea's advanced semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. Companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix possess the precision chip-making technology essential for creating the intricate electrode designs required for these future quantum systems. This positions South Korea to play a crucial role in the global quantum computing supply chain, even as foundational research in the country lags.

The core of Helios is increasing the qubit count nearly twofold compared to the previous quantum computer H2, which had 56 qubits, while also improving accuracy. Compared to other ion trap methods using ultraviolet light, the barium ion method's use of visible to near-infrared light makes it much cheaper and closer to commercialization.

— Kwon Suk-joonProfessor at Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea, explaining the key advantages of the Helios quantum computer.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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