British scientists have made a groundbreaking advancement in the field of quantum computing with the development of the world’s best-performing quantum computing chip. This chip, created by Oxford Ionics, has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach quantum computing and could lead to the creation of a „usable“ quantum computer by 2027.
Unlike traditional quantum chips, the new chip utilizes an integrated control unit to regulate the state of qubits. This innovative approach allows for the mass production of the chip using conventional semiconductor manufacturing processes, making it more accessible and scalable than previous quantum computing technologies.
At the heart of this technology is the handling of quantum bits, or qubits, which are the fundamental units of information in quantum computing. One common method of controlling qubits is trapped ion technology, which involves isolating individual charged atoms in an ion trap and using lasers to manipulate their quantum state. While effective at keeping qubits stable, this approach is not practical for large-scale implementation due to the complexity and cost of laser technology.
The new chip developed by Oxford Ionics takes a different approach by using a patented „Electronic Qubit Control“ system to regulate the state of trapped ions without the need for lasers. By integrating all the necessary components into the silicon chip itself, the new technology is more reliable and easier to produce at scale, according to the scientists involved in the project.
In tests, the new chip demonstrated twice the performance of existing record-holders while using 10 times fewer qubits. These impressive results were published on the pre-print server arXiv on July 10, showcasing the potential of this groundbreaking technology.
Study co-author Tom Harty, co-founder and CTO at Oxford Ionics, emphasized the importance of performance in quantum computing, stating that accurate results are essential for the commercial impact of the technology. The team’s approach has delivered the highest level of performance in quantum computing to date, setting the stage for the future commercialization of quantum computing and its positive impact on society.
The researchers at Oxford Ionics microfabricated an ion trap measuring just a few micrometers across to create the basis of their quantum chip. They measured the chip’s performance based on its ability to accurately perform gate fidelities, which are essential for the operation of quantum circuits. The chip achieved impressive single-qubit and two-qubit gate fidelities, surpassing any other quantum chip reported thus far.
Chris Ballance, co-founder and CEO at Oxford Ionics, described their approach as a „rocket ship“ strategy, focusing on solving challenging technical issues to develop scalable and high-performance qubit chips. This innovative technology does not require error correction to be useful and can be controlled on a classic semiconductor chip, paving the way for practical applications of quantum computing at scale.
Oxford Ionics will collaborate with the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) to further develop and deploy their chip architecture as part of the Quantum Computing Testbed program. This partnership holds great promise for the advancement of quantum computing and the development of new algorithms and applications that could revolutionize various industries.
In conclusion, the development of the world’s best-performing quantum computing chip by British scientists marks a significant milestone in the field of quantum computing. With the potential for a usable quantum computer by 2027, this technology has the power to transform the way we approach complex computational problems and unlock new possibilities for innovation and discovery.