Amazon Web Services (AWS) recently made an announcement regarding the creation of a new quantum chip named Ocelot. This cutting-edge chip is capable of reducing the costs associated with quantum error correction by up to 90% compared to existing methods. Developed at the California Technological Institute, this advancement in AWS quantum computing represents a significant step towards the development of fault-resistant quantum computers that can tackle complex problems beyond the reach of traditional computing systems.
The Ocelot chip utilizes “cat cubes,” a concept inspired by Schrödinger’s famous thought experiment. These cubes have the unique ability to automatically suppress specific errors, thereby drastically reducing the resources needed for quantum error correction. AWS has successfully integrated the technology of feline cubes with other error correction elements on a single microchip, which can be scaled using standard microelectronics technologies.
The progression of computer technology has historically been driven by revolutionary advancements in hardware components. For instance, the transition from vacuum tubes to transistors in the mid-20th century enabled the miniaturization of computers, enhancing their power and affordability. Similarly, the selection of the appropriate building block for expanding quantum calculations is a critical factor in their advancement. Oscar Painter, the director of AWS quantum equipment, highlighted that the Ocelot technology has the potential to decrease quantum computing costs by fivefold and accelerate the deployment of practical quantum computers by five years.
The groundbreaking findings of AWS’s research were recently published in the prestigious journal Nature and are also accessible through the technical report on Amazon Science.
Quantum computers are highly sensitive to external disturbances such as vibrations, electromagnetic fields, cosmic radiation, and even minor temperature fluctuations. These interferences lead to errors in calculations, posing a significant challenge in creating reliable quantum computers. Current approaches to addressing this issue involve quantum error correction, where information is encoded in multiple qubits simultaneously to form “logical” cubes. However, this method necessitates a large number of physical cubes, resulting in exorbitant costs.