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IBM Just Committed to Having a Functioning 1,000 Qubit Quantum Computer by 2023
www.sciencealert.com ^ | 18 SEPTEMBER 2020 | DAVID NIELD

Posted on 09/18/2020 12:34:34 PM PDT by Red Badger

We're still a long way from realising the full potential of quantum computing, but scientists are making progress all the time – and as a sign of what might be coming, IBM now says it expects to have a 1,000 qubit machine up and running by 2023.

Qubits are the quantum equivalents of classical computing bits, able to be set not just as a 1 or a 0, but as a superposition state that can represent both 1 and 0 at the same time. This deceptively simple property has the potential to revolutionise the amount of computing power at our disposal.

With the IBM Quantum Condor planned for 2023 – running 1,121 qubits, to be exact – we should start to see quantum computers start to tackle a substantial number of genuine real-world calculations, rather than being restricted to laboratory experiments.

"We think of Condor as an inflection point, a milestone that marks our ability to implement error correction and scale up our devices, while simultaneously complex enough to explore potential Quantum Advantages – problems that we can solve more efficiently on a quantum computer than on the world's best supercomputers," writes physicist Jay Gambetta, IBM Fellow and Vice President of IBM Quantum.

It's a bold target to set, considering IBM's biggest quantum computer to date holds just 65 qubits. The company says it plans to have a 127-qubit machine ready in 2021, a 433-qubit one available in 2022, and a computer holding a million qubits at... some unspecified point in the future.

Today's quantum computers require very delicate, ultra-cold setups and are easily knocked off course by almost any kind of atmospheric interference or noise – not ideal if you're trying to crunch some numbers on the quantum level.

What having more qubits does is provide better error correction, a crucial process in any computer that makes sure calculations are accurate and reliable, and reduces the impact of interference.

The complex nature of quantum computing means error correction is more of a challenge than normal. Unfortunately, getting qubits to play nice together is incredibly difficult, which is why we're only seeing quantum computers with qubits in the 10's right now.

Around 1,000 qubits in total still wouldn't be enough to take on full-scale quantum computing challenges, but it would be enough to maintain a small number of stable, logical qubit systems that could then interact with each other.

And while it would take more like a million qubits to truly realise the potential of quantum computing, we're seeing steady progress each year – from achieving quantum teleportation between computer chips, to simulating chemical reactions.

IBM hopes that by committing itself to these targets, it can better focus its quantum computing efforts, and that other companies working in the same space will know what to expect over the coming years – adding a little bit of certainty to an unpredictable field.

"We've gotten to the point where there is enough aggregate investment going on, that it is really important to start having coordination mechanisms and signaling mechanisms so that we're not grossly misallocating resources and we allow everybody to do their piece," technologist Dario Gil, senior executive at IBM, told TechCrunch.

https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/15/ibm-publishes-its-quantum-roadmap-says-it-will-have-a-1000-qubit-machine-in-2023/


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet; History; Society
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To: redshawk
Thank you for your kind words. You have the power!

The secret is in the simple joy of discovering something positive, something good. Everybody can look around and find good if they look, and a lot (or all) of it is just plain funny.

Here we are with some super-duper advanced knowledge and technology, yet it boils down to a 1 and 0 that is whatever someone observes it to be whenever?

I mean come on... ya gotta laugh. :)

What then is 1,000 qubits? Depends on what base. Maybe it's nothing then, heh.

How about that Descartes fellow? He was way ahead of his time in finding that [0, 0, 0] coordinate. Worst combination lock code ever!

See what I mean? Just take one look at the guy. I sure wouldn't mess with him. Check out that list of his notable ideas!

It's easy to get sucked in. ;)

61 posted on 09/18/2020 3:30:51 PM PDT by Ezekiel (The pun is mightier than the s-word. Goy to the World!)
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To: srmanuel
You are thinking of applications we already know about, but with a excuse the pun, quantum leap in computer power things that either were to complicated or had never been thought about will become reality......

These guys seems to have opinions on that... Leonard Susskind: Quantum Mechanics, String Theory and Black Holes | Lex Fridman Podcast #41

62 posted on 09/18/2020 4:39:36 PM PDT by glorgau
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To: Red Badger

I’m thinking that it will be much smarter than me. Or should I say, “than I am.”

LOL!


63 posted on 09/18/2020 5:16:16 PM PDT by proud American in Canada (In these trying times, "Give me Liberty or Give me Death!")
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To: srmanuel
"I read an article about Quantum Computing recently that stated if and when Quantum Computing becomes real and functions in real world applications the uses are unlimited."

Yup. Things that I've read about it are mindblowing.

IBM Is Now Letting Anyone Play With Its Quantum Computer

Google Claims Its Quantum Computer Can Do The Impossible In 200 Seconds

"Google claims it has designed a machine that needs only 200 seconds to solve a problem that would take the world's fastest supercomputer 10,000 years to figure out."

64 posted on 09/18/2020 5:55:49 PM PDT by blam
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To: Red Badger

This new awesome computing power will allow a computer to scan your entire body in one nanosecond. Three seconds later it will tell you which bathroom you are to use.


65 posted on 09/18/2020 9:41:46 PM PDT by Dilbert56
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To: Red Badger

I bet the weather dept using the new computer will not get tomorrows weather correct.
However some person with arthritis in the knee will do a better job.


66 posted on 09/18/2020 10:24:57 PM PDT by minnesota_bound (homeless guy. He just has more money....He the master will plant more cotton for the democrat party)
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To: glorgau

right now it’s all a matter of opinion on what could be done with Quantum computing...what we do know for sure is that major companies and major venture capital firms are pouring huge amounts of money into their development.

We also know that China is pouring huge resources into Quantum computing....and looking to steal anything we develop.

So I think the major players are aware of the unlimited potential for Quantum computing...much of that will be fantastic but a lot will probably be done with evil intent....We’ll see how it plays out but I think we can agree it will play out in the coming years..


67 posted on 09/19/2020 4:49:42 AM PDT by srmanuel
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To: glorgau

right now it’s all a matter of opinion on what could be done with Quantum computing...what we do know for sure is that major companies and major venture capital firms are pouring huge amounts of money into their development.

We also know that China is pouring huge resources into Quantum computing....and looking to steal anything we develop.

So I think the major players are aware of the unlimited potential for Quantum computing...much of that will be fantastic but a lot will probably be done with evil intent....We’ll see how it plays out but I think we can agree it will play out in the coming years..


68 posted on 09/19/2020 4:49:42 AM PDT by srmanuel
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To: TalBlack

Well, it’s colder than ‘super cold’, but not as cold a ‘extremely cold’.....................


69 posted on 09/21/2020 5:04:03 AM PDT by Red Badger (Sine Q-Anon.....................very............)
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To: Dilbert56

Eventually there will only be ONE bathroom for ALL of us to use...................


70 posted on 09/21/2020 5:22:28 AM PDT by Red Badger (Sine Q-Anon.....................very............)
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To: minnesota_bound

My left hip tells me when the weather front is moving in...................


71 posted on 09/21/2020 5:50:34 AM PDT by Red Badger (Sine Q-Anon.....................very............)
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