▲ IBM
Information technology company IBM has announced that it has achieved "quantum advantage," a level where quantum computers can be utilized in actual research and industrial fields, surpassing traditional supercomputers.
IBM announced on the 30th, local time, that it had published a paper detailing the results of joint research conducted with the University of Chicago, Japan's RIKEN, and quantum software companies Qedma and Algorizmiq.
Quantum advantage refers to the stage where a quantum computer can solve real-world research or industrial problems more efficiently than conventional supercomputers.
In the past, the term "quantum supremacy," which refers to quantum computers overwhelming the computing power of traditional computers, was mainly used, but recently the term "quantum advantage," which emphasizes practicality, has been more widely used.
In its joint research with the University of Chicago, IBM explained that it processed complex calculations, which were difficult to solve with existing supercomputers, in about 15 minutes using a quantum computer implemented with 70 logical qubits.
Unlike bits in traditional computers, which have a value of either 0 or 1, a qubit is the basic unit of quantum information that can express a superposition state where 0 and 1 exist simultaneously by utilizing the characteristics of quantum mechanics.
As the number of qubits increases, the amount of information that can be processed increases exponentially, enabling complex calculations to be performed simultaneously.
IBM also stated that in joint research with Qedma and RIKEN, it precisely observed the movement of quantum matter that was difficult to track with existing simulation technology, and successfully performed high-difficulty calculations in research with Algorizmiq as well.
In particular, IBM emphasized that this research significantly improved calculation errors and the reliability of calculation results, which have been considered representative challenges of quantum computers.
While quantum computers have the characteristic of calculation results easily changing due to minute heat or vibrations, the researchers explained that they increased calculation accuracy by applying error reduction and error correction technologies.
Jay Gambetta, Vice President of IBM Quantum at IBM Research, evaluated in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, "We are now living in the era of quantum advantage."
However, he added, "This does not mean the results are absolutely perfect," noting that additional verification from the academic community will continue for several years.
Previously, Google and quantum computing company D-Wave also announced that they had achieved quantum supremacy and quantum advantage, respectively, but their related achievements are still undergoing broad verification and consensus from the academic community.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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