Latest news with #quantumresearch
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Small, room-temperature quantum computers that use light on the horizon after breakthrough, scientists say
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Scientists have demonstrated that a photonic qubit — a quantum bit powered by a particle of light — can detect and correct its own errors while running at room temperature. They say it is a foundational step toward scalable quantum processors. In a new study published June 4 in the journal Nature, researchers at Canadian quantum computing startup Xanadu created a so-called "Gottesman–Kitaev–Preskill" (GKP) state directly on a silicon chip. GKP states are a type of quantum state that spreads information across multiple photons in a pattern that enables small errors to be spotted and corrected. This means that each qubit is capable of correcting itself, without needing to be bundled into large arrays of redundant qubits — a common requirement in today's error-correction methods. It marks the first time this type of error-resistant quantum state has been generated using a process compatible with conventional chip manufacturing, the scientists said. The breakthrough suggests that error-correcting quantum states could be produced with the same tools used to manufacture conventional computer chips — bringing reliable, room-temperature quantum hardware a step closer to reality. The qubit-cooling conundrum Quantum computers work very differently from the classical machines we use today. Classical computers store information in binary bits, represented as either 1s or 0s. Quantum systems, meanwhile, use qubits that can exist in a "superposition" of both states. This enables them to solve complex calculations in parallel, and they can one day perform far beyond the reach of conventional systems. But qubits are notoriously fragile. Even the smallest fluctuations in temperature, electromagnetic radiation or environmental noise can disrupt a qubit's state and corrupt its data. To guard against this, many quantum systems operate at temperatures close to absolute zero (minus 459.67 degrees Fahrenheit or minus 273.15 degrees Celsius) using complex cooling systems to maintain "coherence" — the fragile quantum connection through which qubits perform calculations. Related: Coldest-ever qubits could lead to faster quantum computers While this cooling helps preserve quantum information, it also makes quantum computers bulky, expensive and impractical to scale. Xanadu's solution seeks to address this by using photons — particles of light that don't require deep cooling — to build qubits that run on silicon chips at room temperature. The team's GKP demonstration tackles another key challenge: quantum error correction. Most quantum systems today rely on groupings of multiple physical qubits that work together to detect and fix errors, known as a "logical qubit." Xanadu's photonic qubit sidesteps this by handling correction within each individual qubit, simplifying the hardware and paving the way for more scalable designs. "GKP states are, in a sense, the optimal photonic qubit, since they enable logic gates and error correction at room temperature and using relatively straightforward, deterministic operations," Zachary Vernon, CTO of hardware at Xanadu, said in a statement. RELATED STORIES —'Reliable quantum computing is here': Novel approach to error-correction can reduce errors in future systems up to 1,000 times, Microsoft scientists say —'Quantum hard drives' closer to reality after scientists resolve 10-year-old problem —World's 1st mechanical qubit uses no light or electronics. It could lead to ultra-precise gravity-sensing tech. "This demonstration is an important empirical milestone showing our recent successes in loss reduction and performance improvement across chip fabrication, component design and detector efficiency." The result builds on Xanadu's earlier development of Aurora, a modular quantum computing platform that connects multiple photonic chips using optical fiber. While Aurora addressed the challenge of scaling across a network, this new chip focuses on making each qubit more robust — a critical requirement for building fault-tolerant systems. Xanadu representatives said the next challenge was reducing optical loss, which happens when photons are scattered or absorbed as they travel through the chip's components.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
European Commission aims for quantum dominance
The European Commission has introduced a new plan to position Europe as a dominant force in the quantum technology sector by 2030. This initiative seeks to develop a robust and independent quantum ecosystem that will support startup growth and help transform scientific discoveries into market-ready applications. Quantum technology, with better processing speeds compared to conventional computing, is expected to address complex challenges. This includes advancements in pharmaceuticals and securing critical infrastructure. These technologies are also anticipated to enhance the EU's industrial competitiveness and technological sovereignty, with notable implications for defence and security. European Commission estimates that the sector will create thousands of skilled jobs across the EU and surpass a global valuation of €155bn ($183bn) by 2040. The new strategy particularly targets five primary areas: research and innovation, quantum infrastructures, ecosystem development, space and dual-use technologies, and quantum skills. The planned actions will include launching the Quantum Europe Research and Innovation Initiative with EU Member States to support foundational research and develop applications in crucial public and industrial sectors. Additionally, a quantum design facility and six quantum chip pilot lines will be established to convert scientific prototypes into manufacturable products. The strategy also includes plans to launch a pilot facility for the European Quantum Internet and expand the network of Quantum Competence Clusters across the EU. The European Quantum Skills Academy is expected to be established by 2026. The plan also envisages a collaboration with the European Space Agency for the development of a Quantum Technology Roadmap in Space. A significant aim of the strategy is to boost the share of global private funding that European quantum companies receive. The figure currently stands at approximately 5%. 'We have to now focus more on private funding because we are very strong already in public funding,' EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen was quoted by Reuters as saying in a press conference. In the past five years, the European Commission and EU countries have provided more than €11bn in public funding for quantum technology. The commission intends to work closely with Member States and the European quantum community, including academia, startups, industrial actors, and innovation stakeholders, to achieve the strategy's objectives. A High-Level Advisory Board, comprising leading European quantum scientists and technology experts, will offer independent strategic guidance on implementing the Quantum Europe Strategy. This will be followed by a Quantum Act proposal, expected in 2026, to further build on the strategy. "European Commission aims for quantum dominance" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
IBM Promises Enterprise-Ready Quantum Computing By 2029
IBM Quantum Starling IBM announced plans for its IBM Quantum Starling, a fault-tolerant quantum computer, that brings quantum computing a step closer in a market that has long promised revolutionary capabilities while delivering laboratory curiosities. Starling is a significant shift from experimental technology towards enterprise-ready infrastructure. The world's first large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer, expected by 2029, will finally bridge the gap between quantum potential and business reality. Today's most pressing business challenges push classical computing to its limits. Drug discovery timelines span decades, supply chain optimization extends across global networks, and financial risk modeling must navigate volatile markets. McKinsey estimates that quantum computing could create $1.3 trillion in value by 2035, yet current quantum systems remain too error-prone for meaningful business applications. The challenge is that existing quantum computers can only execute a few thousand operations before errors accumulate and corrupt results, making them unsuitable for many of the most complex algorithms that drive real business value. This reliability gap has kept large-scale quantum computing mostly in research labs rather than corporate data centers. IBM Quantum Starling addresses this fundamental limitation through error correction at an unprecedented scale. The system will operate 200 logical qubits while executing 100 million operations with accuracy. These logical qubits are quantum computing units protected against errors through sophisticated encoding across multiple physical components. According to IBM, this represents a 20,000-fold improvement over current quantum computers in operational capability. The business value lies in Starling's modular architecture, which is designed like an enterprise data center rather than an experimental prototype. The system will connect approximately 20 quantum modules within IBM's Poughkeepsie facility, creating a scalable infrastructure that enterprises can access through cloud services. This approach transforms quantum computing from a specialized research tool into a utility that integrates with existing enterprise workflows. Starling's real-time error correction, based on a state-of-the-art error correction called 'the gross code,' uses the Relay-BP decoder to ensure computational accuracy throughout complex operations. This reliability enables the development of long, sophisticated algorithms required for practical business applications, ranging from pharmaceutical molecular modeling to financial portfolio optimization. IBM's approach fundamentally differs from competitors through its focus on resource efficiency rather than raw qubit count. Competitive systems that use the surface code require about 2,000 physical qubits to create approximately 12 logical qubits. In comparison, IBM, using its quantum low-density parity check code, only requires about 200 physical qubits to enable 12 logical qubits. This means that IBM's qLDPC code is approximately 10X more efficient, and there are several codes within the qLDPC family of codes Google and other competitors continue pursuing surface code approaches that, while technically sound, requires a significant resource overhead for practical business applications. IBM's modular design provides another competitive advantage: incremental scalability. Rather than rebuilding entire systems to increase capacity, enterprises can leverage additional capacity in IBM quantum computing services as their computational needs evolve. The company's long track record of meeting its public quantum roadmap commitments demonstrates an execution capability that its venture-funded startups and research-focused competitors have yet to match. It's this steady execution of its quantum strategy that keeps the company in a leadership position within the quantum computing field. It's early days for quantum computing and the competitive landscape remains fractured. Startups like QuEra and PsiQuantum pursue different technical approaches but lack IBM's enterprise relationships and infrastructure capabilities. Google and Amazon possess the resources to compete, but they have not committed to IBM's aggressive commercialization timeline or its enterprise-focused architecture. IBM's existing enterprise relationships across pharmaceutical, financial, and manufacturing sectors provide immediate market access that competitors cannot replicate quickly. The company's cloud infrastructure and enterprise sales organization also offer distribution advantages that pure-play quantum startups lack entirely. 'Quantum advantage' is the ability for quantum computer to compute faster, more efficiently ore more accurately than classical computing alone. IBM's 2026 timeline for quantum advantage positions the company to capture early adopter revenue while competitors remain in development phases. The three-year lead time between quantum advantage and Starling's full deployment provides a competitive moat that will be difficult for competitors to breach. IBM's roadmap extends beyond Starling to Blue Jay, a 2,000-logical-qubit system capable of billions of operations. This progression is a clear demonstration of the company's commitment to quantum computing as a long-term business strategy rather than a research initiative. IBM's Quantum Computing Roadmap The quantum computing market is at an inflection point. IBM's Starling system will transform quantum computing from an expensive research curiosity into enterprise infrastructure that delivers measurable business value. This requires IBM to execute, but the company has built credibility by hitting every public milestone its put on its quantum roadmap. For executives evaluating quantum computing strategies, the question has shifted from whether quantum computing will impact their industries to how quickly they can integrate quantum capabilities into competitive advantage. Choosing a partner to help with that journey is a critical first step, with IBM taking an early leadership position. IBM's leadership should be no surprise. The company, after all, is the only in the industry to help enterprises navigate nearly every major transition in compute technology over the past sixty years. Quantum computing is simply the next transition.
