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On Thursday, Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) Web Services (AWS) introduced Ocelot, a groundbreaking quantum computing chip designed to significantly reduce quantum error correction costs by up to 90% compared to existing methods. The AWS Center for Quantum Computing at the California Institute of Technology developed the chip, marking a substantial stride toward the creation of commercially viable, fault-tolerant quantum computers.
Ocelot employs a novel architectural design that incorporates error correction from its inception, utilizing ’cat qubits’ which inherently suppress certain types of errors. This innovative approach allows AWS to manufacture quantum chips at scale using established microelectronics industry techniques. The development of Ocelot could potentially lower the cost of quantum chips to just a fifth of what they are with current error correction methods, according to Oskar Painter, AWS director of Quantum Hardware. He also suggested that this could expedite the advent of practical quantum computers by as much as five years.
Quantum computers are highly sensitive to environmental ’noise,’ which can disrupt qubits and lead to computational errors. The challenge of building reliable quantum computers has historically been tied to the prohibitive cost of quantum error correction. Ocelot addresses this issue with a design that prioritizes error correction, potentially requiring as little as one-tenth the resources needed for standard approaches.
This advancement is likened to the transition from vacuum tubes to transistors, which revolutionized computing by enabling more compact, powerful, and cost-effective devices. AWS researchers have published their findings in a peer-reviewed research paper in Nature, and more technical details about Ocelot can be found on the Amazon Science website.
While Ocelot remains a prototype, AWS is dedicated to furthering quantum research and refining its technology. Painter emphasized the need for continuous innovation and learning from academia to overcome the challenges of scaling quantum computing. AWS customers interested in quantum computing can currently explore the field with Amazon Braket, a fully-managed service that provides access to quantum computing resources.
Ocelot consists of two silicon microchips stacked and electrically connected, with superconducting materials forming the quantum circuit elements. It includes 14 core components: five data qubits (the cat qubits), five buffer circuits, and four additional qubits for error detection. The chip’s oscillators, crucial for storing quantum states, are made from a specially processed Tantalum film to enhance performance.
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