To find out whether quantum computers will work properly, scientists must simulate them on a classical computer. Now a record-breaking experiment has simulated the largest quantum computer yet.
The current thinking is that a quantum computer capable of handling 49 qubits will match and rapidly exceed the capability of the most powerful supercomputers, providing new inroads to machine learning applications or molecular simulations.
Thomas Haner and Damian Steiger from the ETH Zurich have successfully accomplished the most ambitious attempt to date to simulate the behavior of a 45-qubit quantum computer.
The data from this work will play an important role in ensuring that scientists have confidence in quantum calculations when quantum supremacy is achieved.
MORE