IBM Quantum Computers

Main article: Quantum computer and quantum communication

2023

World's first 1000 qubit quantum processor launched

On December 4, 2023, IBM announced the Condor product - the world's first quantum processor with more than 1000 qubits (quantum bits). It is claimed that this chip takes to a new level the ability to scale and performance in the organization of quantum computing. Read more here.

The world's first modular quantum computer presented

On December 4, 2023, IBM announced the world's first modular quantum computer, the Quantum System Two platform. This system is based on the latest IBM Heron quantum processors with 133 qubits (quantum bits). Read more here.

Breakthrough in fully fault-tolerant quantum computer

In late August 2023, IBM Quantum researchers announced the development of a technology that paves the way for a fully fault-tolerant quantum computer.

Quantum computing complexes are able to take the solution of resource-intensive problems to a new level that is unattainable for traditional systems. This is ensured by the use of quantum bits - qubits, which can simultaneously take the value of both logical zero and logical one. This results in multiple productivity gains. However, the downside of the coin is a large number of errors: quantum computers are very sensitive to noise, such as electromagnetic signals, temperature changes and perturbations in the Earth's magnetic field. In addition, qubits are by their very nature prone to errors.

Researchers report developing technology that paves the way for a fully fault-tolerant quantum computer

Usually, surface codes are used to correct errors - two-dimensional lattices similar to chessboards. However, effective error correction for qubits is more challenging. IBM Quantum researchers have developed a system that significantly improves the error detection process in quantum computing complexes. At the same time, the necessary arsenal is significantly reduced.

A number of experts estimate that millions of qubits will be needed to create fault-tolerant quantum computing. However, IBM Quantum technology, which involves the use of improved code and modified qubit placement, reduces the number of qubits required for error correction by an order of magnitude.

Practical error correction is far from being implemented. However, new codes and other achievements in this area increase confidence that fault-tolerant quantum computing is not just possible, but possible without the need to create an unreasonably large quantum computer, the authors of the work say.[1]

2022

IBM began building a quantum computer in the clinic

In mid-October 2022, information appeared that a large private medical center, which is located in the American city of Cleveland, together with IBM, began installing the first quantum computer in the hospital. Read more here.

IBM Osprey quantum computer unveiled with record 433 qubits

On November 10, 2022, IBM launched a quantum computer with a record number of qubits. The machine, dubbed the Osprey, is made up of 433 qubits and has three times as many qubits as the Eagle machine, which launched in 2021. Read more here.

A super cooler for quantum computers has been created. It cools harder than space

On September 13, 2022, it became known that IBM had created a super refrigerator for quantum computers. It is 10 times smaller than existing counterparts and cools stronger than space. Read more here.

Plan to put quantum computers up for sale

IBM Executive Director Arvind Krishna said that by 2025 the corporation will put up for sale "thousands" of quantum computers. This became known on May 13, 2022. According to the head of the company, these systems will have a computing power of 4,000 qubits, while in May 2022 the most powerful systems support about 127 qubits.

In practice, quantum computers will be used to optimize the routes of self-driving trucks and simulate financial risks with unprecedented efficiency. According to Krishna, such tasks would require traditional computers "the size of a planet."

IBM's quantum processors are based on superconducting qubit technology, which has been in development since the mid-2000s. Data in such processors are presented in the form of electronic states of artificial atoms; computational processes are initiated using microwave pulse sequences. Due to its physical specifics, the processor can only function at temperatures close to absolute zero, so it has to be kept in a powerful industrial refrigerator, which turns out to be an integral part of a quantum computer.

There are many areas of use for quantum computers: there will always be tasks that require unattainable computing power. The question is what is their practical significance in the current conditions, "said Anastasia Melnikova, director of information security at SEQ. - If problems, the solution of which requires quantum computing, arose in practice, and the demand became not speculative, but quite real, then in the coming years you can wait for a real answer to it.

Earlier, IBM announced quantum processors of 400 and 1000 qubits, the first of which, Osprey, is planned to be released in 2022.

Increasing the number of qubits requires an innovative processor design. Recent IBM developments, such as Falcon and Eagle, are built on a hexagonal scheme (heavy-hexagonal), in which the number of connections between individual qubits is reduced to the required minimum - this should lead to a decrease in interference between them and, as a result, to a decrease in the number of errors in calculations.

In previous versions of processors, each qubit was equipped with a specialized set of electronic components responsible for writing data to it and reading the results of calculations. The updated technology, pioneered in last year's 127-qubit Eagle processor, has reduced the amount of electronics IBM needs to share data^[2].

2021

IBM Eagle 127 qubit quantum processor announcement

In mid-November 2021, IBM unveiled a new 127 qubit Eagle processor for quantum computing. The technology will allow the company to implement a quantum computer that will be much faster than classic PCs. Read more here.

10-year contract with Cleveland Clinic to use quantum computing for research

At the end of March 2021 IBM , she announced a 10-year partnership with the Cleveland Clinic, which will develop the Discovery Accelerator laboratory. Her staff will be engaged in scientific research in the field health care and life sciences using and. quantum computing As artificial intelligence part of the partnership, IBM will install its first privately owned quantum computer, IBM Quantum System One, on the clinic's Cleveland campus. Previously, systems were introduced only in state organizations. More. here

IBM and ExxonMobil develop quantum algorithms to control cargo ships around the world

In mid-February 2021, research groups and ExxonMobil IBM developed quantum algorithms to control cargo ships around the world. About 90% of global trade relies on shipping, and more than 50,000 ships, each carrying up to 200,000 containers, cross water spaces every day to transport goods totaling 14 trillion, dollars so the challenge is overwhelming for classic computers. More. here

IBM unveils roadmap for quantum computer development

In early February 2021, IBM presented a roadmap for the development of quantum computers. In accordance with the plans of the American corporation, in 2021 the power of such computing equipment will reach 100 qubits, and in 2022-2023 - 400 and 1000 qubits, respectively. Read more here.

2019

20 years of development of quantum computing. Infographics

For August 2019, Rigetti, a quantum computing startup, is expected to launch the 128-qubit system in 2019. This could be an important achievement in the quantum arena.

The fundamental difference between modern computers and the computing systems with which we interact is the enormous speed and way information is processed on the server. The creation of such machines threatens modern data encryption standards.

IBM introduced the "personal" quantum computer Q System One

On January 8, 2019, IBM introduced the Q System One, a compact modular quantum computer that the company itself dubbed an "integrated universal quantum computing system designed for scientific and commercial applications." Read more here.

2017: IBM launches world's first quantum computing service

In March 2017, IBM announced, according to the company, the world's first commercial quantum computing service. A program called the IBM Q 50-qubit quantum processor will be launched in the IBM Cloud infrastructure. Read more here.

2012: IBM Research's Progress in Quantum Computing Research

On February 28, 2012, a team of scientists from IBM Research announced progress towards quantum computing, which will give engineers the opportunity to start direct work on creating a quantum computer.

This breakthrough will allow scientists to reduce the increment of data errors in the process of elementary calculations, while maintaining the integrity of the quantum mechanical properties of quantum data bits known as qubits.

According to Mark Ketchen, head of the information physics research group at IBM's TJ Watson Center, the creation of quantum computers will exponentially increase the power of computing compared to that available to conventional modern processors.

A qubit, like a regular bit, can have two values: 0 or 1. The difference is that the bit must have a value of either 0 or 1, and the qubit can be 0, 1 or combine this data. The report IBM says that the quantum computer is still far from reality - its creation may take from 10 to 15 years. However, progress in reducing error rates and preserving the integrity of qubit quantum mechanical properties opens up ample opportunities for experimentation. "We have finally achieved that the devices are stable and data verification and error correction are possible. As soon as you cross this threshold, the excitement increases very much, "Ketchen said.

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The IBM team presented its achievements in quantum computing at the annual meeting of the American Physical Society on February 28, 2012.

IBM is not alone in its quantum computing research. California and Yale universities are engaged in solving similar problems. However, Ketchen claims that only IBM has the resources to make chips for quantum computing.

Unlike current silicon semiconductors, IBM applies superconducting qubits that use micron technology techniques developed for silicon technology but produced on sapphire chips, which allows it to increase the production of qubits to thousands or millions of units in one fell swoop.

So far, IBM has managed to achieve 95% operational accuracy on its prototypes, Ketchen said. Scientists want to achieve accuracy above 99%, so that the reduction of errors in data reaches a point where they can already be used in calculations with an acceptable degree of accuracy. "Once the data error rate is small enough, you can combine multiple gates and get the perfect qubit," Ketchen said. - Now everything becomes clear as on the site, where you can create something and get the right answer. It means that now we will have to think more seriously about more complex issues of computing, their interaction. "

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