Rigetti Aspen-M (quantum computer)

2021: Quantum Computer Launch

In December 2021, Rigetti Computing announced the Aspen-M quantum computer, equipped with an 80-qubit processor, which includes two units of 40 superconducting qubits.

According to the developers, in terms of performance, the new system surpasses the previous Rigetti quantum computer by 250%. In addition, it is characterized by a 50% reduced error of reading from the qubit of the results of calculations, which in itself is an important technological achievement.

Started quantum computer with qubits having "third state"

In addition, Rigetti announced experiments that use the "third energy quantum state," which turns traditional qubits into so-called cutrites. And if the company's specialists manage to ensure the stability of these cutters, they will be able to process much more data and ensure the execution of more complex quantum algorithms on the same hardware.

The problem is that for transmons - superconducting charge-qubits that use Rigetti, IBM and Google - state energy levels above the first two are becoming less and less distinct. So, the difference between 1 and 2 is much smaller than between 1 and 0, and after 2 the situation becomes even worse. For a part that is already sensitive to charge noise, it is difficult to provide the level of control required to operate higher levels. The number of errors increases dramatically. Rigetti engineers are just modifying the software for this task and believe that the technologies available to the startup will solve it. If this happens, Rigetti will abruptly break ahead in the quantum processor race.

By December 22, 2021, Aspen-M is at the stage of closed testing. Rigetti customers are expected to be able to access this quantum computer through a cloud platform in the first quarter of 2022.^[1]

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