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Microsoft says it set a new record by entangling 12 “highly reliable” logical qubits as part of a project to introduce quantum computing to its Azure software suite.
Previously, the US tech multinational announced it was working toward solving meaningful problems using logical qubits that have an error rate 800 times better than physical qubits.
Qubits (quantum bits) are the basic unit of information in quantum computing, and the reliable logical qubits combine several physical qubits together to protect against noise damage and enhance performance for long-running tasks.
Quantum computing excels in a calculation process called combinatorics. These are significant sums which involve finding an arrangement of items to identify and optimize toward the desired outcome.
However, recent breakthroughs in quantum are still some way off delivering full output beyond the capability of today’s advanced computers. Some researchers have determined that you’d need 420 qubits to achieve “quantum supremacy” and go beyond classic computing.
Azure Quantum includes familiar cloud computing software combined with quantum-specific tools for Microsoft users to make use of the next-generation technology.
“This differentiated computing stack will pave the way for this new generation of hybrid applications,” says Jason Zander, Microsoft’s Executive VP of Strategic Missions and Technologies.
Microsoft Aims To Scale Up Azure Quantum Capability
The US tech multinational has partnered with Atom Computing and Quantinuum to deliver Azure Quantum.
The two external companies have worked to create the basis for the record 12 entangled logical qubits, which Microsoft then integrated into its existing cloud computing and AI software. The enhanced product brings quantum capability to assist in complex problems in areas such as life sciences, chemistry, and physics.
“It’s really critical we have logical qubits to get solutions that are, after all, reliable,” says Krysta Svore, a technical fellow for advanced quantum development at Microsoft.
She adds the goal is to run additional complex calculations with the quantum computers, showing a combination of error correction and computation for the first time.
Microsoft wants to scale up Azure Quantum to be able to handle more difficult, data-intensive tasks, in line with the overall progression of quantum computing.
