Quantum Computing One Step Closer: IBM Error Mitigation Technique

Quantum computers are based on the principles of quantum mechanics, which allows them to perform certain tasks exponentially faster than classical computers.

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Quantum computing is a rapidly developing field with the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives. This could lead to major breakthroughs in areas such as drug discovery, materials science, and artificial intelligence. However, quantum computing is still in its early stages of development. There are many challenges that need to be overcome before quantum computers can be used to solve real-world problems. One of the biggest challenges is developing reliable quantum hardware. Quantum computers are incredibly sensitive to noise and even a small amount of noise can corrupt the results of a calculation.

Quantum Physics

Quantum physics is a branch of science that deals with very small things, like atoms and particles that are too small to see with our own eyes. It helps us understand how these tiny things behave and interact with one another. One of the key ideas in quantum physics is that particles can exist in more than one place at the same time and that they can also be in more than one state at once. This is called superposition. Another important idea is that particles can be connected in a way that when you change one particle, it affects the other particle even if they are far away from each other.

This is called entanglement. These two concepts can lead to some really interesting and sometimes strange results. For example, in quantum physics, particles can seem to appear out of nowhere, and they can also be in two places at once. Overall, quantum physics is a fascinating field and even though it can be difficult to understand, it has helped us understand the world around us in many incredible ways.

Quantum Computing

In quantum computing, particles (quantum bits or qubits) can be entangled with each other, which means that a change in one qubit can affect the state of the other qubit, even if they are not physically connected to each other. This is due to a fundamental property of quantum mechanics called entanglement. Entanglement allows multiple qubits to be in a superposition of states at once, which gives quantum computers the potential to solve certain types of problems much faster than classical computers.

Quantum computers involve qubits that exhibit multiple states, including "on," "off," and an intermediary position, unlike transistors that perform calculations via binary switching. Instead of transistors that calculate information by switching on and off, quantum computers use qubits, which can switch to "on," "off," or "both," meaning some state in between.

Particles are supposed to change one another in quantum computing. Entanglement and the ability of qubits to interact with each other is what makes quantum computing possible and what gives it its unique power and potential for solving complex problems.

A Long Awaited Breakthrough

IBM researchers have developed a new method to manage the unreliability of quantum processors, which could make them more practical and powerful than classical computers. The method, called error mitigation, involves introducing more noise into the system and then precisely documenting its effects. This allows the scientists to reliably extrapolate what the calculations would have looked like without noise at all.

The researchers tested their method on a 127-qubit IBM Eagle processor, which was able to calculate the behavior of 127 magnetic, quantum-sized particles in a magnetic field. This is a problem that has real-world value, but is far too complicated for classical computers to solve.

The researchers' findings are promising, but further experiments will need to be conducted to confirm that error mitigation is actually a viable way to make quantum computers more practical. If successful, this could usher in a new era of quantum supremacy, where quantum computers can solve problems that are simply impossible for classical computers.

Takeaway

• The IBM scientists' work is a significant step forward in the development of quantum computing.

• Error mitigation is a promising new technique that could make quantum computers more practical and powerful.

• Further experiments will need to be conducted to confirm that error mitigation is actually a viable way to make quantum computers more practical.

• If successful, this could usher in a new era of quantum supremacy, where quantum computers can solve problems that are simply impossible for classical computers.

IMAGE: ELECTRONIC CHIPSET HARDWARE, CPU

CREDIT: PHOTO MANUEL JOTA, OLYMPUS CORPORATION, E-M10MarkII

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