IBM Eagle (quantum processor)

2021: Announcement of a quantum processor for 127 qubits

In mid-November 2021, IBM introduced a new Eagle processor with 127 qubits for quantum computing. The technology will allow the company to implement a quantum computer, which will be much faster than classic PCs.

The Eagle chip is based on the new heavy hexagon calculation topology, which IBM first introduced in 2020. This technology is built-in error protection, which IBM believes will play an important role when the number of quantum qubits in the system begins to grow rapidly.

IBM introduced a new 127-qubit quantum processor

Eagle is designed so that each of the chip qubits is connected to several other neighboring qubits to facilitate joint calculations. However, there are fewer connections between neighboring qubits than in previous IBM quantum chip architectures. It is this part that helps reduce errors.

Another innovation in Eagle is a technology called read multiplexing, combining read signals from eight qubits into one. In previous generation IBM quantum processors, each qubit was deployed with a special set of electronic components responsible for writing data to the qubit and reading the results of calculations. According to IBM, Eagle's read multiplexing technology reduces the amount of electronics needed to read and write data. This technology also reduces the delay time of signal processing in control circuits.

In 2022, IBM plans to introduce Osprey, a processor with more than 400 qubits. In 2023, the company intends to announce an even more powerful processor, which is expected to have more than 1000 qubits - IBM Quantum Condor.

For the development of quantum systems and the successful creation of planned technologies, IBM invests significant funds in the development of the refrigeration system. The company needs to create a system that can cool computing devices to a temperature of 2 mK. IBM intends to realize this by using the isotopes Helium-3 and Helium-4.^[1]

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