Highlights:

  • Due to their theoretical capability to perform calculations that are extremely challenging or impossible for current “classical” computers, quantum computers have long been hailed as the computing technology of the future.
  • In-depth instructions for creating a practical error-corrected quantum computer have now been released by Google researchers. It is currently developing a single logical qubit, with the intention of scaling it up later.

Google LLC has made a significant advancement in its efforts to build a practical quantum computer.

The business recently claimed that its discovery would help it get past the problem of “quantum errors,” which is one of the main obstacles to building a functional quantum computer.

Due to their theoretical capability to perform calculations that are extremely challenging or impossible for the current “classical” computers, quantum computers have long been hailed as future of computing. The difficulty is that errors are likely to occur on quantum computers, rendering their calculations unreliable. However, Google claims to have discovered a solution to fix these mistakes. It claims this discovery is a significant step towards building useful quantum machines.

Researchers at Google Quantum AI claim to have found a way to reduce quantum computer error rates as system size increases exponentially, allowing them to reach the “break-even point.” The business claims it is now certain that it will eventually be able to produce quantum computers with “commercial value.”

The quantum mechanics they employ to store information and carry out calculations is what gives quantum computers their potential. The basic units of information in a traditional computer are called bits and stored as a string of ones and zeros. However, “qubits” used in quantum computing can be either ones, zeros, or both at once. Thanks to this special ability, they can carry out more powerful and intricate computations than traditional computers.

Even though quantum computers function in theory, their development has been slow. That’s because they operate by manipulating those qubits through quantum algorithms. Because the qubits are so delicate, they can become unstable and produce errors when exposed to heat, vibrations, or even stray light rays.

Until now, the issue has gotten worse as quantum computers get more powerful. It’s a challenge because effective quantum algorithms require many qubits to process data. Quantum error correction is therefore required to close the gap.

Google researchers have found a way to suppress quantum errors by scaling a surface code across a “logical qubit,” a collection of several physical qubits that work better together as a unit resistant to errors. In a study, a research team under the direction of Dr. Hartmut Neven, engineering director at Google Quantum AI, built a quantum processor with 72 qubits to demonstrate Google’s discovery. With two different surface codes, the team tested it. One was applied to 49 physical qubits, that became a logical qubit, while the other was only used with 17 qubits. The experiment demonstrated that the larger surface code, which used 49 qubits, outperformed the smaller one by a wide margin.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai stated in a blog post that the discovery represents a “significant shift in how we operate quantum computers.” The physical qubits in a quantum processor are treated as a group, or as a single logical qubit, instead of being worked on individually.

He added, “By encoding larger numbers of physical qubits on our quantum processor into one logical qubit, we hope to reduce the error rates to enable useful quantum algorithms.”

Google researchers have now released in-depth instructions for creating a practical error-corrected quantum computer. It is currently developing a single logical qubit to scale it up later.

According to Pichai, the achievement puts Google on the path to creating a quantum computer that “tangibly benefits the lives of millions.” He said the business now thinks it’s feasible to develop quantum computers that could be used for the following: speed up physics research in ways that people haven’t yet imagined, identify molecules for new medicines, produce fertilizer with less energy, and discover more sustainable energy sources.

However, Pichai cautioned that such a day is still some way off. To scale quantum machines to the thousands of logical qubits necessary to realize its vision, Google will need to reach even more technical milestones. Only then will quantum computing be able to realize its full potential. He said, “There’s a long road ahead — several components of our technology will need to be improved, from cryogenics to control electronics to the design and materials of our qubits.”