In a groundbreaking development, Chinese researchers have introduced a quantum processor that outpaces the world’s fastest supercomputers by an astonishing 1 quadrillion times. This monumental achievement underscores China’s leading position in the global quantum computing race.

Unveiling Zuchongzhi 3.0

The research team from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Hefei, led by quantum physicists Pan Jianwei, Zhu Xiaobo, and Peng Chengzhi, unveiled the superconducting quantum computer prototype named “Zuchongzhi 3.0.” This prototype features 105 readable qubits and 182 couplers, marking a significant advancement over its predecessors.

Unprecedented Computational Speed

Zuchongzhi 3.0 processes quantum random circuit sampling tasks at speeds a quadrillion times faster than the world’s most powerful supercomputers. To put this into perspective, tasks that would take supercomputers thousands of years can now be completed in mere seconds. This leap not only showcases the feasibility of quantum computing but also highlights China’s research strength in this domain.

Advancements Over Previous Models

This latest iteration builds upon previous models, such as Zuchongzhi 2.1, which had 66 qubits. The enhancements in Zuchongzhi 3.0 include:

• Increased Qubit Count: From 66 to 105, allowing for more complex computations.
• Improved Coherence Time: Achieving a coherence time of 72 microseconds, enabling longer and more stable quantum operations.
• Enhanced Gate Fidelity: Achieving a parallel single-qubit gate fidelity of 99.90% and a parallel two-qubit gate fidelity of 99.62%, ensuring more accurate computations.

This breakthrough places China at the forefront of the quantum computing race, challenging other global tech giants. In October 2024, Google’s 67-qubit superconducting quantum processor, Sycamore, demonstrated quantum supremacy by outperforming classical supercomputers by nine orders of magnitude. However, Zuchongzhi 3.0 surpasses this by six additional orders of magnitude, setting a new benchmark in the field.

The research team is not resting on their laurels. They are actively exploring various directions, including:

• Quantum Error Correction: Conducting surface code error correction research with a code distance of seven, with plans to extend it to nine and eleven.
• Quantum Entanglement and Simulation: Investigating deeper into quantum entanglement phenomena and developing quantum simulators to tackle real-world problems beyond the reach of classical supercomputers.
• Quantum Chemistry: Applying quantum computing to solve complex chemical problems, potentially revolutionizing drug discovery and materials science.