Articles tagged with "quantum-processors"
IBM Advances Quantum Computing with Nighthawk for Clean Energy Transformations - CleanTechnica
IBM has made significant advances in quantum computing with the introduction of its Nighthawk processor, a 120-qubit system unveiled in November 2025. Unlike previous generations focused on demonstrating feasibility, Nighthawk is engineered to scale circuit depth rather than just qubit count, addressing a critical bottleneck in quantum computing development. Paired with IBM’s Loon chip, which isolates errors instead of relying solely on brute-force error correction, this approach aims to manage noise and decoherence more realistically. Together, these technologies support IBM’s goal of achieving 1,000 logical qubits by 2028, integrated closely with classical high-performance computing in a hybrid model that augments rather than replaces classical systems. Nighthawk’s architecture uses a square lattice topology allowing each qubit to connect to four neighbors, enabling quantum circuits with up to 5,000 two-qubit gates—a 30% improvement over IBM’s previous Heron processor. IBM plans to increase this to 7,500 gates by
quantum-computingclean-energyIBM-Nighthawkquantum-processorsfault-tolerant-quantum-computingmaterials-scienceelectrochemistryMichelle Simmons on why silicon could deliver the first fault-tolerant quantum computer
Michelle Simmons, a physicist trained in the UK and based in Australia, has been a pioneer in atomic-scale silicon electronics, demonstrating the world’s first single-atom transistor in 2012 and the narrowest silicon conducting wires. Her early recognition that silicon could host exceptionally precise and scalable qubits led her to found Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC) in 2017, aiming to commercialize quantum processors built from atomically engineered silicon. Her work has earned significant accolades, including Australian of the Year (2018) and the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science (2023). Simmons emphasizes that her practical skills in semiconductor fabrication and quantum measurement uniquely positioned her to develop quantum devices at the atomic scale. Simmons transitioned from academia to entrepreneurship because, after mastering atomic-scale manufacturing and achieving high-quality qubits, she saw that a company structure was essential to rapidly build a full-scale commercial quantum system. She highlights the transformative potential of quantum computing across industries, as quantum processors (QPUs) will solve complex
quantum-computingsilicon-technologyatomic-scale-electronicsfault-tolerant-quantum-computersemiconductor-fabricationmaterials-engineeringquantum-processorsResearchers use symmetry to decode quantum noise behavior in next-gen processors
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and Johns Hopkins University have made a significant advance in characterizing quantum noise, a major obstacle to reliable quantum computing. Quantum processors are highly sensitive to disturbances such as temperature shifts, vibrations, electrical fluctuations, and atomic-scale effects, which disrupt fragile quantum states and complicate computations. Existing noise models are often too simplistic, failing to capture noise that spreads across both time and space within processors, thereby hindering the development of fault-tolerant quantum error-correcting codes. To address this, the researchers employed symmetry—a mathematical property that simplifies complex structures—to better understand noise behavior. Using a technique called root space decomposition, they structured the quantum system into discrete states arranged like rungs on a ladder. By observing how noise causes transitions between these states, they can classify disturbances and apply targeted mitigation strategies. This novel framework offers a more precise characterization of noise, which is expected to enhance both hardware design and algorithm development for quantum computing. The study, published in
quantum-computingquantum-noisefault-tolerant-computingquantum-processorserror-correctionquantum-algorithmsquantum-hardwareScientists miniaturize quantum optics to boost next-gen processors
Germany has launched SmaraQ, a collaborative research initiative aimed at advancing scalable ion-trap quantum computers by integrating quantum optics directly onto chips. Led by QUDORA Technologies GmbH, AMO GmbH, and Fraunhofer IAF, the project replaces bulky optical setups with compact, chip-based photonic systems. This innovation centers on ultraviolet (UV) waveguides and photonic components made from aluminum nitride (AlN) and aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), enabling nanometer-scale precision in directing laser light to ion qubits. By eliminating large free-space optics, SmaraQ significantly reduces system size and enhances reliability, facilitating mass production through established semiconductor fabrication techniques. The collaboration leverages complementary expertise: QUDORA integrates photonics into its trapped-ion quantum computing platform and drives commercialization; Fraunhofer IAF develops high-quality epitaxial AlN wafers essential for photonic components; and AMO GmbH applies advanced nanofabrication and lithography to pattern
quantum-computingphotonic-integrationaluminum-nitrideion-trap-quantum-computersnanofabricationsemiconductor-fabricationquantum-processorsUS' new superconducting qubit lasts 15x longer than industry-standard
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new superconducting qubit that achieves a coherence time of over 1 millisecond, which is three times longer than the best previously reported in laboratory settings and nearly fifteen times longer than the industry standard. This advancement addresses a fundamental challenge in quantum computing: qubits losing information too quickly to perform useful calculations. The team validated their design by building a fully functioning quantum chip, demonstrating significant potential for improved error correction and scalability in industrial quantum systems. According to Andrew Houck, co-principal investigator and Princeton’s dean of engineering, integrating these qubits into existing processors like Google’s could enhance performance by up to 1,000 times, with benefits increasing exponentially as more qubits are added. The breakthrough was achieved through a two-pronged materials approach: using tantalum metal to preserve energy in the qubit circuits and replacing the traditional sapphire substrate with high-quality silicon, a standard in the computing industry. Overcoming technical challenges in growing tantalum directly on silicon unlocked the
quantum-computingsuperconducting-qubittantalumsilicon-substratecoherence-timequantum-processorsmaterials-scienceUS team achieves 99% fidelity in quantum communication breakthrough
A research team at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has achieved a major breakthrough in quantum communication by generating entangled photons at a telecom-band wavelength of 1389 nm using an array of ytterbium-171 (¹⁷¹Yb) atoms. This development enables high-fidelity (up to 99%) entanglement directly compatible with existing fiber-optic infrastructure, overcoming previous challenges related to signal degradation and efficiency loss caused by wavelength conversion. The team’s approach allows for parallelized entanglement generation across multiple atoms projected onto a commercial fiber array, significantly enhancing the scalability and performance of quantum networks. This scalable quantum networking architecture supports simultaneous, uniform, and high-fidelity entanglement across interconnected nodes with minimal crosstalk, a critical requirement for reliable quantum communication. Additionally, the researchers introduced a mid-circuit networking protocol to maintain coherence of data qubits during network operations, ensuring data stability even when multiple connections are active. Their findings indicate that with minor technical improvements,
quantum-communicationquantum-networkingquantum-processorsentangled-photonstelecom-band-photonsfiber-optic-communicationquantum-computingNew algorithm solves quantum computer's speed-of-light problem
Researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute, MIT, NTNU, and Leiden University have developed a new algorithm called Frequency Binary Search that enables quantum computers to reduce noise in qubits in real time. Noise, or decoherence, is a major challenge for quantum computing because qubits are highly sensitive to tiny environmental changes, which cause errors and disrupt their coherent quantum states. Traditional noise mitigation methods involve extensive measurements and corrections that are often too slow, resulting in delayed noise cancellation and reduced accuracy. The Frequency Binary Search algorithm addresses this by estimating qubit frequency shifts instantly using a Quantum Machines controller equipped with a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), which processes data on the spot without sending it to a slower desktop computer. This real-time correction allows simultaneous calibration of many qubits with exponential precision using fewer than ten measurements, a significant improvement over the thousands typically required. By enabling immediate noise correction, this breakthrough brings quantum computers closer to reliable, large-scale operation, potentially unlocking their vast capabilities in fields like
quantum-computingqubitsnoise-reductiondecoherenceFPGAquantum-algorithmquantum-processorsQuantum-centric computing is already solving high-value chemistry challenges
IBM and Japan’s RIKEN Center have achieved a significant milestone in quantum chemistry by simulating the energy states of a complex molecule using a 77-qubit quantum processor—the largest number of qubits applied to a real-world quantum chemistry problem to date. This breakthrough was accomplished through a hybrid quantum-classical computing approach, combining IBM’s Heron quantum processor with RIKEN’s Fugaku supercomputer. This collaboration demonstrated that quantum-centric supercomputing, where quantum processing units (QPUs) work alongside classical CPUs and GPUs, can solve challenging chemistry problems previously thought to require fully fault-tolerant quantum computers. Their findings were published in Science Advances, highlighting that this hybrid model is not merely transitional but may represent the most effective near-term use of quantum computing. The hybrid approach leverages the strengths of both quantum and classical computing: quantum processors handle complex calculations that scale exponentially, while classical systems excel at tasks like data entry, memory access, and rendering graphics. Experts emphasize that classical computing remains highly
quantum-computinghybrid-computingsupercomputersquantum-processorsmaterials-researchenergy-simulationchemistry-challenges10x increase in atom array size boosts China’s quantum leap
Chinese researchers led by physicist Pan Jianwei at the University of Science and Technology of China have achieved a major breakthrough in quantum computing by creating the largest atom array to date. Their system can arrange over 2,000 rubidium atoms—each acting as a qubit—into precise two- and three-dimensional patterns within 60 milliseconds using a high-speed spatial light modulator and laser beam shaping. This array size is reportedly 10 times larger than previous systems, marking a significant leap in scalability and computational efficiency for neutral atom quantum processors. The team also developed an artificial intelligence system that simultaneously shifts every atom in real time, achieving single-qubit operation accuracy of 99.97%, two-qubit accuracy of 99.5%, and qubit state detection accuracy of 99.92%. They introduced a theoretical framework to balance readout fidelity and atomic retention, proposing a quantum circuit iteration rate (qCIR) metric to evaluate system performance. Their findings suggest that qCIRs of up
quantum-computingatom-arraysquantum-processorsAI-in-quantum-systemsrubidium-atomshigh-speed-spatial-light-modulatorqubit-fidelityFirst zero-temp symmetry break hits 80% fidelity in quantum test
An international team of researchers from China, Spain, Denmark, and Brazil has achieved a significant breakthrough by simulating spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) at absolute zero temperature using a superconducting quantum processor. This marks the first time SSB has been simulated at zero temperature with about 80% fidelity, representing a major milestone in condensed matter physics and demonstrating new quantum computing applications. SSB is a fundamental phenomenon in physics that explains the emergence of complex structures and conservation laws, but observing it at near absolute zero is challenging due to material immobility. Classical computers have struggled with such simulations, which are typically limited to temperatures above zero and require extensive processing time. The researchers leveraged quantum computing’s unique capabilities—entanglement and superposition—to overcome these limitations. Unlike classical computers that process computations sequentially, quantum processors handle multiple possibilities simultaneously, exponentially speeding up simulations. The experiment used a quantum circuit of seven superconducting qubits made from aluminum and niobium alloys, operating near one millikelvin
quantum-computingsuperconducting-qubitsquantum-simulationmaterials-sciencecondensed-matter-physicsquantum-processorslow-temperature-physics