In a groundbreaking development that propels the quantum computing field forward, Quantinuum, in collaboration with Microsoft, has unveiled the latest generation of quantum computers equipped with an advanced qubit-virtualization system. This innovative technology has achieved a pivotal milestone by demonstrating logical qubits with error rates 800 times lower than their physical counterparts, marking a significant stride towards the realization of fault-tolerant quantum computing.

Announced on April 3, 2024, from Broomfield, CO, and London, U.K., this achievement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of Quantinuum’s teams across the USA and UK and Microsoft’s quantum computing division. Together, they have created four logical qubits that exhibit dramatically reduced error rates, successfully running 14,000 independent instances of a quantum circuit error-free. This remarkable breakthrough holds the potential to expedite the progress towards universal fault-tolerant quantum computing, promising to revolutionize industries by tackling complex challenges more efficiently than ever before.

At the heart of this achievement lies the exceptional fidelity, scalability, and flexibility of Quantinuum’s 32-qubit H2 quantum processor, powered by Honeywell, coupled with Microsoft’s cutting-edge error correction techniques. Utilizing 30 of the 32 physical qubits available on the H2, the teams have produced the most “reliable logical qubits” to date, along with successfully demonstrating syndrome extraction, a crucial step towards achieving fault tolerance in quantum computing.

Rajeeb Hazra, CEO of Quantinuum, expressed the significance of this milestone, “This announcement further solidifies Quantinuum’s leadership in the race towards universal fault-tolerant quantum computing. The unparalleled two-qubit gate fidelities of 99.8%, along with our QCCD architecture and all-to-all qubit connectivity, made today’s achievement possible. Leveraging the exceptional performance of our current systems, we are committed to continuing our innovations to make universal fault-tolerant quantum computing a reality sooner than previously imagined.”

In what is described by Microsoft as the “Level 2 Resilient” era, quantum computing now possesses the capability to effectively manage errors and begin addressing meaningful challenges across various fields. This advancement, meeting Microsoft’s rigorous criteria, signifies a critical transition into a new phase of quantum computing where logical qubits surpass physical qubits in performance.

Dr. Krysta Svore, Distinguished Engineer and VP of Advanced Quantum Development for Microsoft Azure Quantum, highlighted the impact of this breakthrough, “This collaboration between Quantinuum and Microsoft represents a crucial advancement for the quantum computing industry, demonstrating a key milestone on the path to hybrid classical-quantum supercomputing capable of transforming scientific discovery.”

Ilyas Khan, Vice-Chairman and Chief Product Officer at Quantinuum, further emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation, “As leaders, we will continue to innovate more rapidly than the competition, focusing on hardware innovations and developing applications to harness the new era of truly logical qubits. Our aim is to ensure that our customers are the first to benefit from these and future breakthroughs. I am excited to see how they utilize reliable quantum computing to create more powerful solutions for their most challenging problems.”

Quantinuum, the world’s largest integrated quantum computing company, is at the forefront of the quantum revolution, pioneering powerful quantum computers and advanced software solutions. With a dedicated team of nearly 500 employees, including over 370 scientists and engineers, Quantinuum leads the charge in driving breakthroughs in materials discovery, cybersecurity, and next-generation quantum AI, reshaping the future of technology.