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IBM’s Eagle
processor has
127 quantum bits

towards a certain algorithm called

quantum annealing rather than
fully programmable quantum
computers. In recent years, much
progress in quantum computing
has focused on superconducting
qubits, which are one of the main
technologies that Google, USTC
and IBM are backing.
Bob Sutor at IBM says that
breaking the 100-qubit barrier
is more a psychological than
physical achievement, but that it
shows the technology can grow.
“With Eagle, we’re demonstrating
that we can scale, that we can
start to generate enough qubits
to get on a path to have enough
computation capacity to do
the interesting problems.
IBM

It’s a stepping stone to bigger

machines,” he says.
Quantum computing However, it is difficult to
compare the power of the IBM

A new quantum leader? chip with previous processors.

Both Google and USTC used a
common test to assess such chips,
which was to simulate a quantum
IBM has built a quantum computer that has twice as many circuit and sample random
qubits as its nearest rivals, reports Matthew Sparkes numbers from its output. IBM
claims to have created a more
IBM claimed on Monday In 2019, Google announced that of Science and Technology programmable and adaptable
that it has created the world’s its Sycamore processor, which of China (USTC) in Hefei. processor, but has yet to publish
largest superconducting uses the same superconducting IBM’s 127-qubit Eagle an academic paper setting out
quantum computer, surpassing architecture that IBM is working processor now takes the top its performance or abilities.
the size of state-of-the-art with, had achieved quantum spot as the largest, and therefore It is tempting to assess
machines from Google and from supremacy – the name given theoretically most powerful, performance entirely on the
researchers in China. Previous to the point at which quantum superconducting quantum qubit count, says Peter Leek
devices have demonstrated up computers can solve a problem computer to be demonstrated. at the University of Oxford, but
to 60 superconducting qubits, that a classical computer would Each additional qubit represents there are other metrics that need
or quantum bits, but IBM’s new a significant step forwards in to be looked at, none of which
Eagle processor more than doubles “One additional qubit ability. Classical computers rise has yet been released for Eagle.
that by stringing together 127. effectively doubles a in power in a linear fashion as they “It’s good that they’re making
Several approaches are quantum processor’s grow, but one additional qubit something with more qubits,
being pursued to create a potential power” effectively doubles a quantum but ultimately it only becomes
practical quantum computer, processor’s potential power. useful when the processor
including using superconductors find impossible. That processor Canadian company D-Wave performs really well,” he says.
and entangled photons. It remains  had 54 qubits, but has since Systems has sold machines IBM has said that it hopes to
unclear which one will become been surpassed by a 56 and then for some years that consist of demonstrate a 400-qubit processor
the equivalent of the transistors 60-qubit demonstration with thousands of qubits, but they next year and to break the 1000-
that powered the classical the Zuchongzhi superconducting are widely considered to be qubit barrier the following year
computing revolution. processor at the University very specific machines tailored with a chip called Condor. ❚

20 November 2021 | New Scientist | 7