Recently, the Google Quantum AI team has made remarkable progress. Their research indicates that today's noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) computers can accomplish benchmark calculations that classical computers would need years to process. This study, published in the journal Nature, utilized the random circuit sampling benchmark, one of the most challenging tasks currently executable by quantum computers.
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This discovery suggests that despite noise interference, quantum computers still have the potential to outperform classical computers in certain tasks. This marks a significant step towards practical quantum computing applications.
The research team employed Google's 67-qubit Sycamore quantum chip to demonstrate a "stable computational complexity phase" achievable with current quantum processors.
In other words, even in the presence of noise, quantum computers can perform calculations that are beyond the reach of classical supercomputers. This experiment delves into whether quantum processors can execute complex calculations under background noise interference. Sergio Boixo, the chief scientist of Google Quantum AI, noted that many renowned researchers and publications have recently been exploring whether it is possible to find a phase where a noisy quantum computer fundamentally outperforms supercomputers.
Boixo pointed out that these experiments show a transition exists between low-noise and high-noise phases in quantum computers. In the "low-noise phase," the complexity of the benchmark calculations is sufficient to enable quantum computers to outperform classical computers in performance. Additionally, the research has proven the effectiveness of the random circuit sampling benchmark used since 2019 in experiments, as it surpasses the capabilities of classical supercomputers.
Boixo also added that this study confirms the theoretical "Neven's Law," which states that the power of quantum computing is growing at a double exponential rate, far exceeding traditional computing. However, it is important to note that random circuit sampling has no practical application, so future work will focus on improving the benchmark towards practical applications.
Key Points:
🔍 The study shows that current quantum computers can handle complex computational tasks that classical computers would need years to complete.
⚛️ Using Google's 67-qubit Sycamore chip, it has been proven that quantum computers perform exceptionally well in low-noise phases.
📈 The research confirms "Neven's Law," indicating that quantum computing power is growing at a double exponential rate.