Scientists Link Quantum Processors With Real-Time Classical Connection

Researchers report they linked two 127-qubit quantum processors using a real-time classical connection, effectively creating a 142-qubit system capable of computations beyond the limits of a single processor – Quantum Insider, Matt Swayne

Linking quantum computers together — referred to as modularity — could help create scaleable, powerful quantum systems. While that may sound as easy as stringing a bunch of cable together, it’s actually very complicated. Problems, including latency — the delay in transmitting and processing data — can introduce errors that throw off calculations.

Now, IBM Quantum-led researchers report they may have found a way to make two quantum processors can work together as one by connecting them with a real-time classical communication link. According to the team, this work, published in Nature, represents a significant step toward modular quantum computing, addressing the scalability and connectivity limitations that have long constrained the field.

Findings and Implications

The study showed that by linking two 127-qubit quantum processing units (QPUs) via a classical connection, scientists could effectively create a 142-qubit system capable of handling computations beyond the limits of a single processor. This setup also introduced enhanced error mitigation, which boosted the system’s ability to perform sophisticated tasks like creating graph states with periodic boundary conditions—a feat that exceeds the capabilities of standalone devices.

The implications, if it proves out, would be significant to quantum science and the quantum industry. Today’s quantum computers are constrained by the number of qubits on a single chip and the planar connectivity — how qubits are arranged on a flat, grid-like structure — of those qubits. This research offers a path forward, demonstrating that multiple processors can be linked and operated as a unified system.

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