IBM plans to deliver IBM Quantum Starling by 2029, a large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer capable of running quantum circuits comprising 100 million quantum gates on 200 logical qubits.
Starling will use a modular architecture based on bivariate bicycle codes for fault tolerance and will be built in Poughkeepsie, New York.
IBM has developed a fast, accurate, and compact error correction decoder that can be implemented on FPGAs or ASICs for real-time decoding.
The company is also introducing IBM Quantum Nighthawk, a new processor with a 120-qubit square lattice, expected to enable exploration of true quantum advantage.
IBM’s roadmap includes intermediate steps with chips like Loon and processors like Kookaburra and Cockatoo to demonstrate key technologies before Starling.
IBM is tackling the challenge of quantum error correction through a modular approach, networking multiple modules to create a larger quantum computer. The Starling project aims to have 200 logical qubits and perform 100 million logical operations consecutively with accuracy. This involves advancements in algorithm development, chip packaging, and error correction schemes.
The architecture is based on bivariate bicycle codes, encoding 12 logical qubits into 144 data qubits, along with 144 syndrome check qubits. Logical processing units (LPUs) are used for logical measurements, and universal adapters facilitate the movement of quantum information between modules. A new error correcting decoder, Relay-BP, promises a 5x-10x reduction in resources over other decoders.
IBM’s roadmap includes several intermediate steps. IBM Quantum Loon will have more connectivity to enable experiments with high-rate qLDPC codes. IBM Quantum Kookaburra will be the first module capable of storing information in a qLDPC memory and processing it with an attached LPU. IBM Quantum Cockatoo will demonstrate entanglement between modules with the universal adapter.
These advancements are designed to meet six essential criteria for scalable quantum computing: fault tolerance, addressability, universality, adaptivity, modularity, and efficiency.
Q: What is a logical qubit?
A logical qubit is a qubit’s worth of encoded information made from one or more physical qubits, designed to be more resilient against errors.
Q: What is quantum error correction?
Quantum error correction is a set of techniques used to encode quantum information into physical qubits to protect them against errors, similar to error correction in classical computing.
Q: What is the bivariate bicycle code?
The bivariate bicycle code is a quantum low-density parity check (qLDPC) code used by IBM for fault-tolerant quantum memory, encoding logical qubits into data qubits along with syndrome check qubits.
IBM is on track to deliver a fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029, which could revolutionize industries reliant on complex computations.
The modular design and error correction techniques are key to overcoming the limitations of current quantum computers.
Intermediate processors and chips outlined in IBM’s roadmap demonstrate the technologies essential for realizing Starling.
Companies should start developing advantage-scale applications now to be prepared for the capabilities of fault-tolerant quantum computers.
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