Quantum leap as Caltech builds 6,100-qubit processor
Researchers say the record-setting 6,100-qubit processor offers a clear path towards large error-corrected quantum computers, marking a turning point in the field.
A team of physicists at the California Institute of Technology has unveiled a quantum computing breakthrough, creating an array of 6,100 qubits, the largest of its kind to date.
The leap surpasses previous systems, which typically contained around a thousand qubits, and marks a step closer to practical quantum algorithms.
Researchers used caesium atoms as qubits, trapping them with laser tweezers inside an ultra-high-vacuum chamber.
These qubits maintained superposition for almost 13 seconds, nearly ten times longer than previous benchmarks. They could also be manipulated with 99.98 percent accuracy, proving that scaling up need not compromise precision.
Unlike classical bits, qubits exploit superposition, allowing a spread of probabilities instead of fixed binary states. It enables powerful computations but also demands error correction to overcome qubit fragility. The surplus qubits in this new array provide a path to large, error-corrected machines.
Physicists believe the next milestone will involve harnessing entanglement, enabling the shift from storing quantum information to processing it. If progress continues, quantum computers could soon revolutionise science by uncovering new materials, forms of matter, and fundamental laws of physics.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!