Oak Ridge labs gets hybrid quantum-HPC system to test qubit error correction

A new mixed quantum and classic computing system

ORNL's Quantum Science Center, funded by the US Department of Energy, unveiled a 'co-design platform' for quantum error correction. It combines quantum chips and a classic high-performance computer in one place. Researchers can use it to test ideas for protecting fragile quantum information.

Key facts

• The quantum part is an IBM Quantum System Two with 120-qubit Nighthawk r2 processors.
• The classic computer, called Umbra, uses AMD 5th Gen Epyc CPUs and Instinct MI355X GPUs.
• AMD Versal chips handle fast control, reading out results and decoding for the quantum circuits.
• IBM says the design could reach a trillion logical operations at a physical error rate of one in a thousand.

Why quantum computers need error correction

Quantum bits, or qubits, are very fragile. Noise from the environment can destroy the delicate states used for calculations. Error correction spreads information across many qubits so that mistakes can be found and fixed. Experts say fault-tolerant quantum computers are still often thought to be at least a decade away.

Why it matters

Error correction is a key step toward making quantum computers useful for real science. The system lets more researchers test designs for hardware, software and workflows. IBM says the hierarchical approach relies on strong classic computing, so this mix of technologies may be needed to scale up.

What to watch

• Whether researchers can use the platform to test and validate quantum algorithms.
• How the hierarchical error correction ideas perform in practice.
• How the platform fits into the DoE's Quantum Genesis Mission, including the planned Q Competition.