New quantum computer research has established a quantum entanglement record,
suggesting progress toward post-NISQ computing. The study, conducted by Xiao-bo Zhu of
China’s University of Science and Technology, included entangling 51 qubits, or transistor
equivalents, to enable probabilistic quantum computing. The Zuchongzhi quantum computer
utilized in the research had 66 superconducting qubits, which are supported by IBM and
other firms. Microwaves were used to fine-tune the states of the qubits, allowing scientists
to execute operations that modified the states of many pairs of qubits at the same time. The
scientists were able to successfully entangle 51 qubits and a lower-but-still-record 30 qubits
placed on a two-dimensional plane as a result of this.
Charles Hill, an Australian researcher at the University of New South Wales, has been
involved in similar research aimed at proving networked entanglement between up to 65
qubits. Entanglement is a crucial distinction between conventional computers and quantum
computers, and proving a high number of entangled qubits is an essential quantum
computer benchmark.
