Breakthrough in quantum computing: logical qubit survival rate reaches 96% on IBM Heron processor
A group of researchers from the University of Sydney, together with IBM engineers, has achieved a significant increase in the stability of logical qubits — up to 96% survival rate per error correction cycle. This was made possible by a fundamentally new approach to the architecture of error correction circuits, which was tested on IBM's advanced 156-qubit superconducting processor, the Quantum Heron r2.
The key problem hindering the development of fault-tolerant quantum computing (FTQC) is the so-called "idle noise." It occurs during moments when the system is forced to perform intermediate measurements of qubits to check their state. During these pauses, the remaining components of the processor lose quantum coherence, leading to the accumulation of new errors and reducing the overall reliability of computations.
To overcome this obstacle, the scientists completely reworked the logic of error correction circuits. The main focus was on radically reducing the forced idle time of computational elements. As a result of algorithm optimization, the survival rate of logical qubits was raised from less than 90% to an impressive 96%.
The project leader, Director of Sydney Nano Stephen Bartlett, emphasized that the process of intermediate measurements is repeated many times at each stage of computation, and each such idle period becomes a "serious obstacle" to reliable operation. The new method allows minimizing these losses, which is critically important for scaling quantum systems.
Although the result has so far been obtained in laboratory conditions on a single processor, its significance for the industry cannot be overstated. Scalability and fault tolerance remain the main barriers to achieving practical quantum supremacy. Recall that IBM previously announced plans to achieve the first confirmed cases of quantum advantage by the end of 2026.
Analyst's comment: Achieving a 96% survival rate on real IBM hardware is not just a laboratory record, but a crucial step toward creating commercially viable quantum computers. If this approach can be scaled to thousands of qubits, we may witness a transition from the era of quantum experiments to the era of quantum computing as a service. However, investors should remember: it will be years before mass adoption and, even more so, before it impacts cryptography.