Latest news with #qubits
Sustainability Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Quantum Breakthrough Just Happened': World's Fastest Magic State Prep Slashes Costs and Ignites New Race for Supremacy
IN A NUTSHELL 🚀 Researchers at the University of Osaka developed a new technique that significantly cuts costs and complexity in quantum computing . . 🔍 The breakthrough involves a novel method called zero-level magic state distillation , which operates directly at the physical level of qubits. , which operates directly at the physical level of qubits. 💡 This approach reduces the number of qubits needed, simplifies setups, and improves performance by cutting spatial and temporal overhead. 🌟 The advance marks a pivotal step toward scalable and fault-tolerant quantum systems that can withstand computational noise. In recent years, the potential of quantum computing has captured the imagination of scientists and technologists alike. Unlike traditional computers that use binary bits, quantum computers utilize qubits, allowing them to tackle complex computations at unprecedented speeds. However, the journey toward building fully functional quantum systems has been fraught with challenges, particularly in managing quantum noise. A groundbreaking development from researchers at the University of Osaka is now setting the stage for a new era in quantum computing, promising to slash costs and reduce the complexity of creating reliable quantum systems. The Quantum Noise Challenge Quantum systems hold immense promise due to their ability to leverage superposition and entanglement, which could revolutionize fields from drug discovery to climate modeling. However, the Achilles' heel of these systems is their susceptibility to noise. As explained by lead researcher Tomohiro Itogawa, 'Quantum systems have always been extremely susceptible to noise. Even the slightest perturbation in temperature or a single wayward photon from an external source can easily ruin a quantum computer setup, making it useless.' This noise is a formidable challenge, rendering quantum computers prone to errors. To combat this, scientists have been focusing on developing fault-tolerant architectures capable of continuing computation even amidst disturbances. These architectures require exceptionally pure 'magic states' to function effectively, but creating such states has historically been an expensive endeavor. The quest for cost-effective solutions has led to significant advancements, as demonstrated by the recent study from the University of Osaka. 'Your Breath Is a Signature': Scientists Reveal Human Breath Is as Unique and Traceable as a Fingerprint The Necessity and Cost of Magic State Distillation Magic state distillation is a technique pivotal for refining noisy quantum states into reliable ones, ensuring that quantum computations are accurate and dependable. However, this process has been notoriously resource-intensive, both in terms of qubits and computational power. According to Keisuke Fujii, senior author of the study, 'The distillation of magic states is traditionally a very computationally expensive process because it requires many qubits.' This resource intensity has been a major barrier to the widespread adoption of quantum computing. The research team sought to explore alternative methods to expedite the preparation of high-fidelity states necessary for quantum computation. Their innovative approach could significantly reduce the cost and complexity associated with magic state distillation, making quantum computing more accessible and scalable. 'Clot-Free Cancer Breakthrough': Scientists Use Sea Cucumbers to Forge Next-Gen Therapies That Rewrite Treatment Norms Introducing Zero-Level Distillation Traditional distillation methods operate at higher logical levels, building complex layers on top of physical qubits. However, the Osaka research team took a radically different approach by working directly at the physical level. They developed a fault-tolerant circuit capable of operating at this 'zeroth' level, bypassing many complexities inherent in multi-layered systems. This innovative strategy resulted in substantial reductions in the number of qubits needed, simplified setups, and enhanced performance. Simulations demonstrated that their method could cut both spatial and temporal overhead by dozens of times, making it a highly efficient solution for quantum state preparation. This breakthrough paves the way for more streamlined and cost-effective quantum computing systems. 'Physics Broken in Antarctica': Mysterious Signal from Ice Baffles Scientists and Defies All Known Particle Laws A Shorter Path to Scalable Quantum Systems With this new distillation technique, researchers might soon overcome one of the most significant barriers to building large-scale quantum computers. The need for massive hardware arrays to create noise-resistant quantum systems could become a thing of the past. Itogawa and Fujii are optimistic about the future, with Itogawa stating, 'Whether one calls it magic or physics, this technique certainly marks an important step toward the development of larger-scale quantum computers that can withstand noise.' The rapid maturation of quantum technology offers promising prospects for various industries and scientific fields. As the technology continues to evolve, the potential applications of quantum computing are boundless, promising to transform industries and solve some of the most complex problems facing humanity. The advancements in quantum computing, particularly in reducing costs and increasing efficiency, are signaling a paradigm shift in technology. As researchers continue to refine these techniques, what other groundbreaking innovations might emerge from the world of quantum science, and how will they reshape our understanding of computation? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.7/5 (22)
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
New chip could be the breakthrough the quantum computing industry has been waiting for
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Scientists have developed a new type of computer chip that removes a major obstacle to practical quantum computers, making it possible for the first time to place millions of qubits and their control systems on the same device. The new control chip operates at cryogenic temperatures close to absolute zero (about minus 459.67 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 273.15 degrees Celsius) and, crucially, can be placed close to qubits without disrupting their quantum state. "This result has been more than a decade in the making, building up the know-how to design electronic systems that dissipate tiny amounts of power and operate near absolute zero," lead researcher David Reilly, professor at the University of Sydney Nano Institute and School of Physics, said in a statement. The scientists described the result as a "vital proof of principle" for integrating quantum and classical components in the same chip — a major step toward the kind of practical, scalable processors needed to make quantum computing a reality. The researchers published their findings June 25 in the journal Nature. Qubits are the quantum equivalent of binary bits found in today's classical computers. However, where a classical bit can represent either 0 or 1, a qubit can exist in a "superposition" of both states. This enables quantum computers to perform multiple calculations in parallel, making them capable of solving problems far beyond the reach of today's computers. Related: Quantum computers that are actually useful 1 step closer thanks to new silicon processor that could pack millions of qubits Spin qubits, a type of qubit that encodes information in the spin state of an electron, have piqued the interest of scientists because they can be built using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. This is the same process used to fabricate the chips found inside modern smartphones and PCs. In theory, this makes spin qubits much easier to produce at scale as it slips into normal manufacturing methods. Other quantum computers use different types of qubits, including superconducting, photonic or trapped-ion qubits. But unlike these other types, spin qubits can be made on a massive scale using existing equipment. However, spin qubits need to be kept at temperatures below 1 kelvin (just above absolute zero) to preserve "coherence." This is a qubit's ability to maintain superposition and entanglement over time, and what is needed to unlock the parallel processing power that makes quantum computing so promising. Spin qubits also need electronic equipment to measure and control their activity. "This will take us from the realm of quantum computers being fascinating laboratory machines to the stage where we can start discovering the real-world problems that these devices can solve for humanity," Reilly added. Integrating the electronics required to control and measure spin qubits has long posed a challenge, as even small amounts of heat or electrical interference can disrupt the qubits' fragile quantum state. But this new, custom CMOS chip is designed to operate in cryogenic environments and at ultra-low power levels, meaning it can be integrated onto a chip alongside qubits without introducing thermal or electrical noise that would otherwise interrupt coherence. In tests, the researchers ran single-gate and two-qubit gate operations with the control chip positioned less than 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) from the qubits. The control chip introduced no measurable electrical noise and caused no drop in accuracy, stability or coherence, the researchers said. Additionally, the control chip consumed just 10 microwatts (0.00001 watts) of power in total, with the analogue components — used to control the qubits with electrical pulses — using 20 nanowatts (0.00000002 watts) per megahertz. "This validates the hope that indeed qubits can be controlled at scale by integrating complex electronics at cryogenic temperatures," Reilly said. "This will take us from the realm of quantum computers being fascinating laboratory machines to the stage where we can start discovering the real-world problems that these devices can solve for humanity," he added. "We see many further diverse uses for this technology, spanning near-term sensing systems to the data centres of the future." RELATED STORIES —Quantum computing: What is quantum error correction (QEC) and why is it so important? —IBM will build monster 10,000-qubit quantum computer by 2029 after 'solving science' behind fault tolerance — the biggest bottleneck to scaling up —World's first silicon-based quantum computer is small enough to plug into a regular power socket The findings could prompt more researchers to explore the power of spin qubits. "Now that we have shown that milli-kelvin control does not degrade the performance of single- and two-qubit quantum gates, we expect many will follow our lead," study co-author Kushal Das, senior hardware engineer at Emergence Quantum and a researcher at the University of Sydney who designed the chip, said in the statement. "Fortunately for us, this is not so easy but requires years to build up the know-how and expertise to design low-noise cryogenic electronics that need only tiny amounts of power."
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Quantum Computing News: New Roadmaps, Real Timelines, and Rising Stocks
Quantum computing has been buzzing again this week, with fresh headlines from startups, tech giants, and even lawmakers. You've probably heard phrases like 'qubit scaling' or 'quantum advantage' tossed around, but what do they actually mean for investors? Whether it's IBM's newest chip, a roadmap to one million qubits, or policy moves in Texas and South Korea, a lot is happening. Let's break down the four biggest developments this week so you can stay sharp the next time IonQ (IONQ) or D-Wave (QBTS) make a move. Confident Investing Starts Here: Before we begin with this week's recap, let's examine the chart below, which clearly illustrates the increasing demand for quantum systems on the global stage. This suggests wider adoption across more geographies and sectors, as buyers seek to diversify risk and test systems at smaller scales. Quantum Art Targets 1 Million Qubits by 2033 Quantum Art, a private company spun out of Israel's Weizmann Institute, has released a detailed roadmap to build a one-million-qubit quantum computer by 2033. The company plans to launch a 50-qubit cloud-access system later this year and scale up to 1,000 qubits by 2027. The 1,000-qubit system, called the Perspective series, aims to deliver commercial quantum advantage in industries such as finance, logistics, and materials science. Quantum Art's hardware is based on trapped-ion qubits and includes multi-qubit gates, optical segmentation, dynamic reconfiguration, and dense 2D layouts. The architecture supports up to 100 times more gate operations and parallel processes than rival platforms, all within a footprint 50 times smaller. The final Mosaic series, due in 2033, is expected to fit one million physical qubits into a 50×50 mm² chip and support fault-tolerant quantum computing. IBM Expands Global Quantum Footprint IBM (IBM) just installed its first Quantum System Two outside the United States. The system is now running at RIKEN in Japan, co-located with the Fugaku supercomputer. This setup enables low-latency hybrid quantum-classical workflows and is part of Japan's national push for advanced computational research. The system runs on IBM's latest 156-qubit Heron processor, which delivers 10x faster performance and 10x lower error rates than its predecessor, the 127-qubit Eagle. IBM Heron achieved a CLOPS (circuit layer operations per second) score of 250,000, making it the company's best-performing chip to date. Initial research applications include modeling complex chemical compounds, a use case that benefits from hybrid processing power. IBM's focus is now on real-world utility in the near term, even without full-scale fault tolerance. Texas Launches Statewide Quantum Initiative Texas has passed a new law to establish the Texas Quantum Initiative, creating an advisory board, a state-managed grant fund, and a long-term plan to grow the local quantum economy. The law takes effect in September 2025 and requires the state to issue annual strategic updates and biennial budget reports focused on research funding, workforce training, and commercial infrastructure. The initiative targets quantum computing, sensing, and networking. It aims to attract federal funding and promote the development of the state's supply chain. Research institutions like the University of Texas, Texas A&M, and Rice University are expected to play key roles. South Korea Prioritizes Quantum and AI Chips South Korea has designated two emerging technologies as national strategic assets. EYL's quantum random number generator, used in cryptography, and Boss Semiconductor's low-power AI chip for autonomous vehicles have both been added to the country's list of 'super gap' technologies. The recognition grants these firms access to policy incentives, military service exemptions, and accelerated R&D support. EYL's solution generates true randomness using quantum physical processes, which is critical for secure communications. Boss Semiconductor's chip design is designed to handle real-time sensor data while minimizing power usage, a key requirement for autonomous driving platforms. Both companies are private, but the designations reflect growing national interest in building secure and scalable quantum and AI technologies. Using Tipranks' Comparison Tool, we've assembled and compared some of the prominent quantum companies on Wall Street. The comparison tool helps investors gain a broader view of each stock and industry, enabling them to make smarter investing decisions. Disclaimer & Disclosure Report an Issue
Globe and Mail
19-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Why IBM Is the Best Quantum Computing Stock to Buy Right Now
A future quantum computer could potentially solve problems that are essentially impossible for even the most powerful supercomputer. The magic comes from the nature of quantum physics. While traditional computers operate on bits that can be in only one of two states, a quantum qubit is probabilistic, occupying some combination of those two states. This property opens the door to exponentially faster computations. Today's quantum computers generally aren't capable of solving real-world problems quicker than traditional computers. They are capable of performing some types of computations faster, but these computations are more toy problems than anything else. When Alphabet 's Google unveiled its Willow quantum chip last year, it claimed that Willow could perform a particular benchmark in five minutes that would take a supercomputer 10 septillion years. Unfortunately, that benchmark has no known real-world applications. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » Another problem is error correction. Qubits are fragile, and errors are inevitably introduced over the course of a computation. Those errors must be prevented, corrected, or otherwise mitigated for long enough for a computation to be completed. Microsoft made some noise on this front earlier this year with its Majorana 1 quantum chip, which uses exotic particles to create more robust qubits. However, the company is in the early stages of scaling this technology, and it could very well be many years before anything useful comes out of it. International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM), a quantum computing pioneer, now sees a path to full-scale quantum error correction by 2029 and true quantum advantage by the end of 2026. The company has a clear roadmap, and if it can deliver, quantum computing could turn into a major business for the century-old tech giant. The path to fault-tolerant quantum computers IBM is taking a modular approach on its path to the holy grail of quantum computing. This year, IBM will release Nighthawk, its new quantum process with 120 qubits and 5,000 quantum gates. Over the next few years, successive versions of Nighthawk will increase the number of gates, culminating in 2028 with a 15,000-gate version that can be linked together in groups of nine. IBM believes Nighthawk will be able to achieve true quantum advantage. Nighthawk is a stepping stone toward Starling, the fault-tolerant quantum computer planned for 2028. To build Starling, IBM will release three iterations of quantum chips over the next few years that include the necessary technology to make Starling a reality. IBM Quantum Loon comes this year, featuring greater connectivity than the company's current quantum chips. IBM Quantum Kookaburra comes in 2026, bringing the ability to store information and process it with an attached processing unit. And IBM Quantum Cockatoo is set for 2027, allowing entanglement between modules. Starling, which will feature 200 logical qubits and 100 million quantum gates, will be built in 2028 and deliver fault-tolerance by 2029, according to IBM's roadmap. A quantum computing leader Plenty of companies are racing toward viable quantum computing, but IBM has two things that make it unique: a decades-long track record researching and building quantum computers, and a clear roadmap to reach fault-tolerance and true quantum advantage. While it's impossible to predict how large of an opportunity quantum computing could be for IBM, one estimate puts the economic value generated by quantum computing at $850 billion by 2040, with the market for quantum hardware and software potentially worth $170 billion. If IBM can truly pull ahead of its rivals and deliver real-world results with its quantum computers by the end of the decade, it will be in a great position to reap the rewards of the quantum computing revolution. IBM's valuation today looks reasonable considering the enormous potential of quantum computing. Based on the company's outlook for 2025, IBM stock trades for roughly 19 times free cash flow. While the stock isn't as cheap as it was a few years ago, IBM still looks like a solid buy. The company's hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) businesses are driving growth today, and quantum computing has the potential to drive growth in the 2030s and beyond. Should you invest $1,000 in International Business Machines right now? Before you buy stock in International Business Machines, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and International Business Machines wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $658,297!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $883,386!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is992% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to172%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 9, 2025 Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Timothy Green has positions in International Business Machines. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, International Business Machines, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Globe and Mail
15-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Prediction: This Quantum Computing Stock Will Surge in 2025
Investing in quantum computing has brought some unusual challenges. Its quantum bits, called qubits, can store any value between zero and one. This factor makes quantum computers exponentially faster than traditional computers, whose bits can only store zeroes and ones. However, quantum computing is also a solution without a problem to solve, dramatically limiting its addressable market. With most companies in this industry unable to generate sufficient revenues, many quantum computing stocks have struggled to maintain their stock gains. But amid market conditions, one specific quantum stock could prosper during the remainder of 2025. The quantum computing stock for 2025 Amid the current state of the market, Google-parent Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL)(NASDAQ: GOOG) should appear attractive to investors. Admittedly, this may appear to be a baffling choice at first glance. The company generated more than $90 billion in revenue in the first quarter of 2025, with over 99% of that revenue coming from its digital advertising businesses and Google Cloud. Seeing those numbers arguably raises the question of why one should consider Alphabet a quantum computing investment when the technology has no representation in the company's financial statements. However, such a strategy makes more sense when considering the state of pure-play quantum computing companies. Without an apparent addressable market, such companies depend on government contracts that fall far short of covering the company's operating expenses. The financials of these companies outline the struggle. In the first quarter, IonQ reported $7.5 million in revenue, a small fraction of its $83.2 million in costs and expenses. Even with $38.5 million in gains on the fair value of warrant liabilities, it still lost $38.3 million. Rigetti Computing reported a similar story, with revenue of $1.5 million falling far short of the $22.1 million in operating expenses. Interestingly, a $53.3 million change in the fair value of derivative warrant liabilities helped it earn $42.6 million in net income for the quarter. Still, investors cannot depend on one-time benefits for long-term profitability, and with operating expenses far exceeding revenue for both companies, such pure-play quantum computing companies look like less attractive options. Alphabet and quantum computing In contrast, Alphabet does not have funding issues, with $95.7 billion in liquidity and $19 billion in free cash flow in the first quarter of 2025 alone. Its free cash flow does not include the $75 billion Alphabet pledged to spend on capital expenditures this year, leaving it billions to invest in quantum computing. Such investments led to the development of Willow, its quantum computing chip, which it released in December. For one, Willow stands out for its speed, as its chip recently completed a benchmark computation in less than five minutes. That same computation would take 10 septillion (10 25) years on a traditional supercomputer, a time period well over the estimated age of the universe. Additionally, the Willow quantum computing chip stands out because it can reduce error rates as the number of qubits rises. Error rates have been a significant challenge for the industry, which has experienced a rise in error rates as quantum computers have become faster. Furthermore, Alphabet will likely develop and release improved versions of the Willow chip over time. Those efforts keep Alphabet competitive in the quantum space and position it to prosper once the technology becomes more applicable to the world's problems. Investing in Alphabet Although quantum computing is not currently a primary revenue source for Alphabet, the company is likely the stock of choice in this industry in 2025. That may disappoint investors, as the company does not mention quantum computing in its earnings releases, nor does it report any revenue or funding tied to that technology. Nonetheless, Alphabet's free cash flows from other businesses have funded initiatives such as quantum computing. That gives the company ample resources to refine Willow and improve its technology continually. In contrast, many quantum computing start-ups struggle to find adequate funding to stay in business, much less invest in improving their technologies. Ultimately, a stronger financial position and its development of Willow strongly position the Google parent in this industry. Once applications for quantum computing begin to emerge, Alphabet should be in a strong position to capitalize on opportunities. Should you invest $1,000 in Alphabet right now? Before you buy stock in Alphabet, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Alphabet wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $655,255!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $888,780!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is999% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to174%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 9, 2025
