IBM Unveils Strategy for the World's First Large-Scale Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computer, 'IBM Quantum Starling'
Capable of Handling 20,000 Times More Tasks Than Current Quantum Computers
The arrival of large-scale quantum computers that operate perfectly without errors is becoming a reality. IBM, a leader in the field of superconducting quantum computers, has announced a concrete roadmap and core technologies for building the world's first 'fault-tolerant' quantum computer by 2029, declaring that quantum technology has entered the stage of practical application.
On June 10 (local time), IBM announced its development plan for the large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computer 'IBM Quantum Starling,' which is scheduled to be operational in 2029. This quantum computer aims to process more than 20,000 times as many tasks as current quantum computers. IBM stated that simulating the complex quantum states handled by Starling on a conventional supercomputer would require a memory capacity of at least a quindecillion (10 to the power of 48), highlighting its overwhelming computational power. Starling will be built at IBM's new Quantum Data Center in New York, United States.
The biggest barrier to the practical use of quantum computers is the problem of computational 'errors.' To address this, the concept of 'logical qubits,' which groups multiple 'physical qubits' together to mutually monitor and correct errors, was proposed. However, implementing even a single logical qubit requires an enormous number of physical qubits, making practical realization difficult. Experts have predicted that one million qubits are needed to build a quantum computer free from error problems. IBM's quantum computer 'System One,' installed at Yonsei University, has only 127 qubits.
IBM has presented a solution to this problem through two technical papers. The papers introduce an innovative error correction method called the 'qLDPC (quantum low-density parity-check) code,' which dramatically reduces the number of physical qubits required to generate a logical qubit by about 90% compared to existing methods, offering a breakthrough to the previously unrealistic resource consumption problem.
IBM has also established a step-by-step roadmap to introduce new technologies every year starting in 2025. The plan is to launch 'IBM Quantum Loon' in 2025, 'IBM Quantum Kookaburra' in 2026, 'IBM Quantum Cockatoo' in 2027, and finally, in 2029, unveil 'Starling,' which will perform 100 million quantum operations with 200 logical qubits. IBM also revealed plans to expand to the next-generation system 'Blue Jay,' which will be capable of one billion operations with 2,000 logical qubits.
Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM, stated, "IBM is opening a new frontier in quantum computing," and explained, "IBM's expertise in mathematics, physics, and engineering has laid the foundation for realizing large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computers, which will solve real-world problems and unlock significant potential for businesses."
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