For several years, large technology companies have been immersed in a great competition to achieve the so-called ‘quantum supremacy. That is nothing more than the creation of a quantum processor whose margin of error is so small that it can exceed current supercomputers. Google is one of those companies. And, in this sense, has presented Bristlecone, its new tool to compete in this sector.
Google presents Bristlecone, its own quantum processor
According to IBM, only 56 Qubits are needed to outperform supercomputer manufacturers. So far, Google had reached 49 Qubits, with its latest simulations in conventional supercomputers reaching only 46 Qubits. Now, the Google engineering team has created an experimental processor called Bristlecone. That is capable of offering a power of 72 Qubits.
Qubits Problems
However, power does not represent the only milestone to achieve in the quantum processor sector. And the problem with the Qubits is their instability, which means that any interference, even the smallest, can result in an error. For this reason, for quantum processors to work correctly. Also, they require extreme isolation conditions, as well as shallow temperatures to operate.
Now, the quantum processors presented by Google to date, have a margin of error for individual quantum bits of 0.1% and 0.6% for logic gates of 2 Qubits. Although this is good news, the fact is that Google has been cautious and claim that the issue is not only based on limiting any error present in the processor.
In this sense, the company affirms that it is necessary to configure all the components. That have communication with the quantum processor, as well as it is required to apply adjustments in its software. Precisely these are the pending tasks of Google concerning his Bristlecone. And to which they will dedicate a reasonable time before giving us the more good news.