Computer scientists have been attempting to harness the power of quantum computing for over two decades. Traditional computers perform calculations sequentially, one at a time. In contrast, quantum computers leverage the unique properties of sub-atomic particles, such as existing in multiple places simultaneously and demonstrating instantaneous connections across vast distances to successfully transfer quantum information between computer chips at unprecedented speeds and accuracy. So far, institutions such as Google, IBM and Microsoft have only been able to achieve simple quantum machines. A new breakthrough development in quantum, led by Professor Winfried Hensinger of Sussex University and highlighted in a recent BBC article, promises to move the needle closer to harnessing the immense power of quantum computing.
One of the challenges researchers face is the rapid and reliable transfer of quantum information between chips, as information degradation and errors can occur. However, the Sussex University team achieved a breakthrough in this area. Published in the journal Nature Communications, their research demonstrates a system capable of transporting information between chips with an unprecedented reliability rate of 99.999993% and at record speeds. This breakthrough suggests that it may be possible to interconnect chips to build even more potent quantum computers.
While the recent development marks a significant enabling step, more work is required to develop practical quantum computing systems. Professor Michael Cuthbert, director of the National Quantum Computing Centre in Didcot, Oxfordshire, described the achievement as crucial but highlighted the need for scalable mechanisms to connect larger chip assemblies, potentially as large as a football pitch. To achieve realistic and useful computations, advancements in communication technologies for such scales are necessary.
With their ability to perform complex calculations exponentially faster than classical computers, quantum computers hold the potential to revolutionize various industries and address some of humanity’s most significant challenges such as drug design, weather forecasting, and climate change.
The Computing Community Consortium recently held a workshop “5 Year Update to the Next Steps in Quantum Computing Workshop” that brought together community members from computer science and quantum information science to discuss how to apply what we have learned thus far and what research needs to be done to realize computational advantage with quantum machines. Be on the lookout for the workshop report in the coming months.
