Microsoft and Quantinuum shatter quantum computing boundaries with record-breaking error correction

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Key notes

  • Landmark achievement marks the transition from NISQ to Level 2 error-resistant quantum computing

Microsoft Quantum Computer Progress

Microsoft and Quantinuum today announced the creation of the world’s most reliable logical qubits. The breakthrough is achieved with Microsoft’s qubit-virtualization software and error-handling protocols, which when run on Quantinuum’s ion-trap quantum hardware, produced over 14,000 error-free experiments. This unprecedented dependability moves quantum computing from the “noisy” (NISQ) level era to Level 2 Resilient quantum computing.

“This is a crucial milestone on our path to building a hybrid supercomputing system that can transform research and innovation across many industries. With a hybrid supercomputer powered by 100 reliable logical qubits, organizations would start to see scientific advantage, while scaling closer to 1,000 reliable logical qubits would unlock commercial advantage,” said Jason Zander – EVP, Strategic Missions and Technologies at Microsoft.

Microsoft highlighted that this is a historic moment. This is the first demonstrated system with four logical qubits that improves the logical over the physical error rate by such a large order of magnitude (about 800x).

Customer Access Coming Soon

Advanced capabilities built on these logical qubits will be offered in a private preview to Azure Quantum Elements customers within months.

Experts Weigh In

“Quantum error correction often seems very theoretical. Whatโ€™s striking here is the massive contribution Microsoftโ€™s midstack software for qubit optimization is making to the improved error rates. Microsoft really is putting theory into practice,โ€ says Dr. David Shaw, Chief Analyst at Global Quantum Intelligence.

Quantinuum Partnership is Key

Microsoft and Quantinuum have worked closely since 2019. Quantinuum’s machines boast industry-leading fidelity, a crucial factor in the milestone.

โ€œTodayโ€™s results mark a historic achievement and are a wonderful reflection of how this collaboration continues to push the boundaries for the quantum ecosystem. With Microsoftโ€™s state-of-the-art error correction aligned with the worldโ€™s most powerful quantum computer and a fully integrated approach, we are so excited for the next evolution in quantum applications and canโ€™t wait to see how our customers and partners will benefit from our solutions especially as we move towards quantum processors at scale,โ€ said Ilyas Khan, Founder and Chief Product Officer, Quantinuum.

The Road to Quantum Supercomputing

Microsoft envisions Level 3 quantum supercomputing capable of revolutionizing chemistry and materials science. The company’s unique topological qubit approach could be pivotal.

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