IBM unveils 127-qubit quantum processor

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IBM announced its new 127-quantum bit (qubit) ‘Eagle’ processor for quantum computing on Tuesday. The processor is available as an exploratory device on the IBM Cloud. IBM also previewed plans for the Quantum System Two.

Eagle is developed and deployed to contain more than 100 operational and connected qubits, says IBM. It follows its 65-qubit ‘Hummingbird’ processor unveiled in 2020 and the 27-qubit ‘Falcon’ processor unveiled in 2019, according to the company.

‘Eagle’ is the first IBM quantum processor whose scale makes it impossible for a classical computer to reliably simulate, says IBM. The number of classical bits necessary to represent a state on the 127-qubit processor exceeds the total number of atoms in the more than 7.5 billion people alive today, according to IBM.

IBM Quantum System Two

The Quantum System Two is designed to work with its future 433-qubit and 1,121 qubit processors, says IBM. The design will incorporate scalable qubit control electronics together with higher-density cryogenic components and cabling.

The prototype IBM Quantum System Two is expected to be up and running in 2023.

[Image courtesy: IBM]