Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, has announced a major breakthrough in quantum computing. This emerging technology has long been seen as the holy grail of computing, with the potential to revolutionize everything from drug discovery to cryptography. However, until now, quantum computers have been held back by the problem of accuracy.
Quantum computing works differently from classical computing, which relies on binary units (bits) to store and process data. Quantum bits, or qubits, can store information in more than two ways, allowing for larger amounts of data to be processed more quickly. But qubits are also extremely delicate, requiring extremely cold temperatures and protection from interference, and are prone to errors.
In a paper published in the journal Nature, Google has detailed a breakthrough in quantum error correction, a key subfield in the development of quantum computing. By grouping many physical qubits together to form a single logical qubit, the team was able to reduce the error rate. In fact, a logical qubit formed from 49 physical qubits outperformed one composed of 17.
While using 49 qubits to handle a single logical one may seem inefficient, this breakthrough represents significant progress towards the goal of quantum supremacy – the ability to solve a problem that no current machine can handle. Four years ago, Google announced that it had completed a test in 200 seconds that would take conventional supercomputers thousands of years to complete, demonstrating the enormous potential of quantum computing.
This breakthrough will not only have implications for computing but also for related fields such as materials science, mathematics, and electrical engineering. It provides a foundation for further advancements in these fields and brings us closer to making a functional quantum computer a reality.
As we look towards the future, quantum computing represents a new era of technology with limitless potential. While we are still decades away from its full realization, Alphabet’s breakthrough serves as a reminder of the exciting developments to come.
