Researchers at the Technical University of Darmstadt have created a quantum processor with more than 1000 atomic qubits. This breakthrough marks a significant progress in quantum computing.
Researchers at TU Darmstadt have developed a quantum processor with more than 1000 atomic qubits, marking a significant advancement in quantum computing. This breakthrough could enable future expansion to 10000 qubits.
Credit: TU Darmstadt
Large quantum systems are crucial for advancing quantum computing. The Darmstadt researchers published their results in
Optica.
Quantum processors use arrays of optical tweezers created by focused laser beams. Until now, these processors could hold several hundred qubits. Each atom represents a qubit, the fundamental unit of quantum information. To make progress, the number of qubits needed to be increased. A team led by Professor Gerhard Birkl in Darmstadt achieved this feat.
In a paper published in October 2023 on arXiv and now in
Optica, the team explains that they succeeded in creating a quantum processor with more than 1000 atomic qubits in a single plane.
The researchers combined optical methods and advanced technologies to increase the number of accessible qubits. They used a new method called "qubit supercharging," which allows them to overcome the current limitations.
For many applications, 1000 qubits is the threshold at which the efficiency of quantum computers can be demonstrated. The publication also explains how to increase the number of laser sources to reach 10000 qubits or more in the coming years.