On October 12, a recent study published in the internationally renowned academic journal “Nature” has revealed groundbreaking developments in quantum computing. Researchers have demonstrated that a quantum processor can perform computational tasks that current classical supercomputers are unable to replicate or achieve.
This experiment is a part of a broader investigation aimed at exploring the potential capabilities of quantum processors to conduct complex calculations in the presence of background noise interference, which can impact the accuracy of their computations.
According to the paper, quantum processors are highly sensitive to noise—environmental disturbances such as temperature fluctuations, magnetic fields, and even cosmic radiation—that could potentially hinder their performance in complex tasks, tasks which classical supercomputers cannot manage. Identifying precisely how noise affects the performance of quantum circuits has been a significant challenge.
With this context, a research team from Google has embarked on a study to pave the way for quantum processors in tackling complex computation outputs. They employed a method known as random circuit sampling to evaluate the fidelity of a 2D grid of superconducting qubits (the fundamental units of quantum computers). Random circuit sampling serves as a benchmark for comparing the performance of quantum computers against classical supercomputers.
The experiment showcased a transition between two phases. In the second phase, referred to as the “low-noise phase,” the researchers confirmed that the complexity of computations achievable by the quantum computer surpasses that of classical supercomputers. Furthermore, they demonstrated performance beyond classical capabilities using Google’s Sycamore chip, which features 67 qubits.
In summary, the authors of the study noted that their findings significantly enhance our understanding of the capabilities of quantum computing.
