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Google’s new quantum chip is 1.05 million septillion times faster than today’s fastest supercomputers
The Brighter Side of News ^ | 12 December 2024 | Joseph Shavit

Posted on 12/12/2024 12:00:19 PM PST by ShadowAce

The field of quantum computing has taken a giant leap forward with the development of the Willow chip. Over a decade in the making, this achievement stems from a vision to harness the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics for scientific discovery, problem-solving, and transformative applications. The Willow chip represents a major step toward realizing large-scale, commercially useful quantum computers.

A critical hurdle in quantum computing has been error correction. Qubits, the foundational units of quantum computation, are notoriously fragile and prone to interacting with their environment, leading to errors. These errors increase with the number of qubits, often rendering the system ineffective.

The Willow chip addresses this challenge with groundbreaking advancements in quantum error correction, achieving what experts call “exponential quantum error correction” or operating “below threshold.” This means that as the number of qubits in the system increases, the error rate decreases exponentially.

Published in Nature, recent findings show that Willow can scale from a grid of 3x3 encoded qubits to larger arrays, including a 7x7 grid, while halving error rates with each expansion. This milestone marks a historic achievement first envisioned by Peter Shor in 1995.

Google says Willow is a quantum computing chip capable of performing a task in 5 minutes that would take a supercomputer 10 septillion years to complete.

Google says Willow is a quantum computing chip capable of performing a task in 5 minutes that would take a supercomputer 10 septillion years to complete. (CREDIT: Google)

Real-time error correction is now possible on a superconducting quantum system, demonstrating that qubits in an error-corrected array outlive individual physical qubits. These advances establish Willow as the most compelling prototype for a scalable logical qubit system to date.

The implications of these breakthroughs extend beyond error correction. Willow’s capabilities bring the dream of running practical, commercially relevant algorithms closer to reality. These are computations that cannot be replicated on classical systems, opening new frontiers for science and industry.

To measure Willow’s performance, researchers utilized the random circuit sampling (RCS) benchmark, a standard test of quantum systems. Pioneered by the Google Quantum AI team, RCS assesses whether a quantum computer can perform tasks impossible for classical systems.

Willow’s results on this benchmark are astounding: it completed a computation in under five minutes that would take one of today’s fastest supercomputers 10 septillion years—a span so vast it dwarfs the age of the universe. This makes Willow 1,050,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 times (1 nonillion times) or 1.05 million septillion times faster than today's fastest supercomputers.

This achievement suggests that quantum computation may involve parallel processes across multiple dimensions, echoing the multiverse concept proposed by physicist David Deutsch.

These results also highlight the exponential rate at which quantum processors are outpacing classical systems. While classical computing continues to improve, the gap is widening rapidly, as quantum systems like Willow achieve performance gains that far exceed expectations.

Willow’s fabrication, a marvel of engineering, took place in a state-of-the-art facility designed specifically for quantum chip development. Each component—from gates and qubit resets to readout systems—was meticulously engineered for optimal integration. This holistic approach ensures that all elements function cohesively, maximizing the chip’s overall performance.

Unlike previous quantum systems, Willow emphasizes quality over quantity. It incorporates 105 qubits with best-in-class performance across key benchmarks like quantum error correction and random circuit sampling.

Willow’s performance across a number of metrics.
Willow’s performance across a number of metrics. (CREDIT: Google)

A notable improvement is in the qubits’ coherence times, or how long they can retain an excitation, which has reached nearly 100 microseconds—a fivefold enhancement over earlier designs. This achievement underscores the importance of refining both the quantity and quality of qubits to build effective quantum computers.

Looking ahead, the next milestone for quantum computing is to achieve “useful, beyond-classical” computations relevant to real-world applications. While benchmarks like RCS demonstrate quantum supremacy, they lack direct practical applications.

Conversely, experiments simulating quantum systems have yielded new scientific insights but remain within the capabilities of classical systems. The challenge now is to develop algorithms that transcend classical computing’s limitations while addressing tangible problems.

Quantum computing’s potential spans various domains, including drug discovery, material science, and energy. For example, quantum systems could revolutionize the design of new medicines by simulating molecular interactions at an unprecedented scale.

Computational costs are heavily influenced by available memory. Our estimates therefore consider a range of scenarios, from an ideal situation with unlimited memory (▲) to a more practical, embarrassingly parallelizable implementation on GPUs (⬤).
Computational costs are heavily influenced by available memory. Our estimates therefore consider a range of scenarios, from an ideal situation with unlimited memory (▲) to a more practical, embarrassingly parallelizable implementation on GPUs (⬤). (CREDIT: Google)

Similarly, they could lead to breakthroughs in creating more efficient batteries for electric vehicles or accelerating the development of fusion energy technologies.

The Willow generation of chips offers a promising foundation for these advancements. Researchers and developers are encouraged to explore open-source software and educational resources to contribute to this evolving field.

A new course on quantum error correction, available on Coursera, aims to equip the next generation of scientists with the tools to tackle future challenges.

Quantum computing also holds significant implications for artificial intelligence. While both fields are transformative in their own right, quantum computing’s ability to solve complex problems could amplify AI’s potential.

By leveraging quantum algorithms, AI systems could access training data beyond the reach of classical machines, optimize learning architectures, and model phenomena influenced by quantum effects. This synergy could unlock solutions to challenges ranging from efficient resource allocation to climate change mitigation.

Random circuit sampling (RCS), while extremely challenging for classical computers, has yet to demonstrate practical commercial applications.
Random circuit sampling (RCS), while extremely challenging for classical computers, has yet to demonstrate practical commercial applications. (CREDIT: Google)

The Willow chip is not just a technological milestone; it represents a paradigm shift. By addressing fundamental challenges and achieving unparalleled performance, it paves the way for a future where quantum computing transforms industries and reshapes our understanding of the universe.



TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: ai; cpu; quantum; rcs; willow
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To: ShadowAce

Where does all the heat go?


41 posted on 12/12/2024 3:43:56 PM PST by TalBlack (Time to use the Law and the Power. Good luck Mr. President.)
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To: TalBlack
Where does all the heat go?

Into a parallel universe, of course

42 posted on 12/12/2024 6:43:18 PM PST by ShadowAce (Linux - The Ultimate Windows Service Pack )
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To: TalBlack

into a cooling device the size of a nickle that is A million septillion times more efficient at cooling than anything previous- it will also be used to clear the atmosphere of cow farts, thereby saving the planet before the AOC inspired 6.3 year time limit runs out


43 posted on 12/12/2024 7:19:57 PM PST by Bob434
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To: wally_bert
Ha ha, in the '90s I figured out how to make Lotus Notes super-fast. It was just some tweaks, and then instruct the user to re-index and compress the replica every 6 months. Years later some of the people I optimized Notes for told me: "Yes, still running super-fast."

I tried to get the company to let me optimize everyone but they never believed I could do it or just didn't care. Eventually, they switched to Outlook like everyone else.
44 posted on 12/12/2024 7:27:19 PM PST by \/\/ayne (I regret that I have but one subscription cancellation notice to give to my local newspaper)
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To: \/\/ayne

You would have been loved by so many where I was when Notes was in use.

Notes was frustrating on a good day.


45 posted on 12/12/2024 7:36:25 PM PST by wally_bert (I cannot be sure for certain, but in my personal opinion I am certain that I am not sure..)
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To: ShadowAce

And Willow will only require 500,000 GW/h to operate along with its associated cooling equipment.


46 posted on 12/12/2024 10:41:23 PM PST by Nachoman (Proudly oppressing people of color since 1957.)
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To: Billthedrill
A million septillions...that’s a lot, isn’t it?

Well,it seems the term 'google' was not currently available.

47 posted on 12/13/2024 3:07:10 AM PST by whodathunkit
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To: refreshed

Based on the photo, it’s smaller than a man’s hand: therefore, YES. :-)

(But you will probably need a new power supply, motherboard, special connective cabling, a new operating system or kernel to take advantage of its capabilities, new applications, and a new everything else...)


48 posted on 12/17/2024 9:04:42 AM PST by mbj
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To: Crusher138

Is your calculator sentient? Is the computer you currently use sentient?

This hardware will be no different other than do all of that faster: search, sort and count...and derivations of those fundamental operations.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_machine

Psalms 139
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Our brains running on just a few watts of energy have far better judgment. Unlike robots, only we can create and invent.


49 posted on 12/17/2024 9:15:53 AM PST by mbj
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To: Carry_Okie

+1

How true! :-)


50 posted on 12/17/2024 9:17:30 AM PST by mbj
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To: Sparticus

+1


51 posted on 12/17/2024 9:19:24 AM PST by mbj
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To: ShadowAce

+1 LOL!!! :’)


52 posted on 12/17/2024 9:21:08 AM PST by mbj
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To: mbj

With the speed they work, and of course the proper software, they will be able to peruse, weigh, and evaluate every possible response and make one that simulates intelligence.

As I said, we might not consider it “real” intelligence, but it will be so convincing, the difference may be irrelevant.


53 posted on 12/17/2024 9:59:58 AM PST by Crusher138 ("Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just")
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To: Crusher138

> evaluate every possible response

I disagree because in my experience they aren’t creative - they can only do what they were previously programmed to do. Even self modifying software is extremely limited in what it c an accomplish. Neural Nets are limited to whatever the training data contains - it can only come up with variations on what it is fed - nothing fundamentally new. Furthermore, they cannot ACT on what they process without getting a human involved.


54 posted on 12/17/2024 10:12:32 AM PST by mbj
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To: ShadowAce

In the near future one won’t be able to search anymore as Google will tell you what you want without you asking. If you don’t care about the results then too bad. Wait until it has the EV delivered that you didn’t need or ask for. How will you pay for it?

“I owe my soul to the company store.”


55 posted on 12/17/2024 10:24:30 AM PST by Hillarys Gate Cult (“History doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes” - Possibly Mark Twain.)
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To: ShadowAce

What will done with proof of a parallel universe? Dems will want to tax it.


56 posted on 12/17/2024 10:28:19 AM PST by Hillarys Gate Cult (“History doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes” - Possibly Mark Twain.)
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