IBM announced significant progress in the development of quantum calculations aimed at reducing errors and increasing equipment performance. The company believes it is now possible to perform limited, but useful calculations, even without a full-fledged error correction system, which is expected to be developed by the end of the decade.
IBM has shifted its focus to improving its processors rather than just increasing the number of qubits. The company’s latest announcement centers around the second version of the Heron processor, which features 133 qubits. According to Jay Gambetta, the vice president of IBM, this processor aims to eliminate errors caused by defects on the chip surface, known as TLS-losyboves, that can lead to coherence loss among qubits and impact calculations.
By adjusting the frequency of qubit operations and calibrating the Heron processor, IBM has managed to minimize coherence loss and significantly speed up calculations. Tasks that previously took up to 120 hours can now be completed in just 120 minutes, marking a 60-fold increase in efficiency.
For IBM customers, this advancement means not only saving significant time but also reducing the likelihood of random errors, as shorter calculation times decrease the risk of mistakes.
IBM is also actively working on techniques such as “Error Mitigation,” which utilizes noise modeling at different levels to eliminate its impact on calculations. Implementing this technique requires substantial computing power, especially as the number of qubits increases.
Recent optimizations, including the use of GPUs and new algorithmic methods, have accelerated the quantum computing process for IBM. The company has successfully used its quantum technologies to model simple chemical compounds like iron-gray. However, Gambetta notes that quantum computers have not yet surpassed traditional systems in stability, requiring further research and algorithm improvements.
IBM is committed to developing its quantum equipment into a comprehensive scientific tool. The company believes that the time is not far off when quantum calculations will be able to replace classical methods, with continued scientific efforts and advancements.