Prototype quantum processor boasts record 99.9% qubit fidelity

Scientists in Finland say they have made inroads toward "fault-tolerant" quantum computing after achieving record-low error rates in a prototype quantum processor — potentially paving the way to more practical and stable quantum computers.

In a statement, researchers at IQM Quantum Computers said their Technology had broken ground in two key areas: the accuracy of operations between qubits — the most basic units of quantum information — and the stability of qubits over time.

These factors determine the precision and durability of quantum operations in a device. High accuracy, or fidelity, between qubits allows for more precise calculations and fewer errors. Meanwhile, the stability, or "coherence," between qubits ensures that quantum information is maintained long enough to perform calculations.

IQM representatives said scientists had achieved 99.9% fidelity in two-qubit gate operations and hit a new record in "qubit relaxation time," meaning the time it takes for a qubit to lose its quantum state.

Related: Next-gen quantum computers could be powered using chip with high-energy lasers made 10,000 times smaller

These achievements bring fault-tolerant quantum computing — where errors in quantum calculations correct themselves automatically — closer to reality, IQM representatives said. This was particularly apparent in testing the quantum gates.

Quantum gates are the building blocks of quantum circuits, similar to logic gates in classical computers. Logic gates are digital switches that act as decision-makers in computers, using binary data (1s and 0s) to perform basic operations.