Breakthrough in quantum computing: logical qubit survival rate reaches 96% on IBM Heron processor
A group of researchers from the University of Sydney, in collaboration with IBM engineers, has made a significant step forward in the field of quantum computing. They have managed to increase the survival rate of logical qubits to 96% on the latest 156-qubit superconducting processor, the IBM Quantum Heron r2.
The key problem hindering the development of fault-tolerant quantum computing (FTQC) is the so-called "idle noise." This effect occurs during intermediate measurements of qubits in the middle of a computation cycle. Modern error correction systems require regular internal checks, but during these pauses, the remaining components of the processor lose stability, generating new errors.
To solve this problem, physicists completely redesigned the architecture of error correction circuits. The main goal was to radically reduce the computation downtime. Thanks to algorithm optimization, the survival rate of logical qubits per error correction cycle was raised from less than 90% to an impressive 96%.
As explained by project leader and Sydney Nano director Stephen Bartlett, this idle process repeats multiple times at each stage of computation, and the forced halt of other elements becomes a serious obstacle to reliable operation. The new method minimizes this effect.
Although the result was obtained in laboratory conditions on a single processor under one grant, such research is critically important for the entire industry. Scalability and fault tolerance remain the main barriers to the practical application of quantum computers.
Let me remind you that IBM previously announced plans to achieve the first confirmed cases of quantum advantage by the end of 2026. Achieving 96% survival of logical qubits is an important step toward this goal.
Expert opinion: Increasing the survival rate of logical qubits from 90% to 96% is not just an incremental improvement. It is a demonstration that the problem of "idle noise" can be solved at the architectural level. If this method is scaled to larger systems, we could see a significant acceleration in achieving quantum supremacy. For the crypto industry, this is a signal: the era of post-quantum cryptography is approaching faster than many expect.