IBM accelerates quantum computing with 433-qubit processor, eyes even more power

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With conventional computing silicon, computational performance often depends on the clock speed and processing capabilities of the threads. For quantum computing, to date, the qubit has been the defining metric and it's a number that keeps growing.

A year ago, IBM announced that it had developed a 127-qubit processor called Eagle. Today at the IBM Quantum Summit 2022, Big Blue announced a quadruple increase with its new Osprey Quantum processor, which can deliver 433 qubits. IBM's goal is to build increasingly large systems that, by 2025, can scale to more than 4,000 qubits. More qubits mean more powerful and larger computation.

The new Osprey processor and the systems that support and enable it are key steps on IBM's path to more powerful and convenient quantum technology.

"Some of the really exciting technology around Osprey really isn't so much in the qubit chip itself, but more in what it takes to get the signals in and out of our qubits, which are based on a superconducting technology," Oliver Dial, chief hardware architect, IBM Quantum, told VentureBeat. "We use superconducting transmon qubits and basically they store their quantum information in a microwave photon."

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For the layman, what Osprey's qubit innovation means is that IBM can now pack more power into the same space. Another key benefit of the innovations that enable Osprey's approach is that it is easier for IBM to build its next generation of quantum processors than previous quantum processor technologies, while also making the technology more maintainable.

> Quantum use cases for the enterprise

The race to add more qubits isn't just a research effort, it's an effort that will help make quantum computing more useful for enterprise use cases.

Along with the hardware announcements, IBM is also expanding its Quantum Network, which is a group of organizations exploring the use of IBM's quantum computing hardware for commercial purposes. There are over 200 member organizations in the IBM Quantum Network today, supporting over 450,000 registered users.

French bank Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale is among the latest additions to the network and is currently working with IBM to identify potential financial services use cases where quantum technology may be applicable.

Telecommunications giant Vodafone now also joins the IBM Quantum Network for an emerging set of networking and security uses for quantum secure cryptography.

"Partnering with IBM gives us access to quantum technology that has the potential to deliver incredible network optimization," said Luke Ibbetson, R&D group leader at Vodafone Group in a statement. "It's the kind of innovation that existing computers will never achieve on their own, allowing us to save energy, reduce costs and provide customers with excellent connectivity in more places."

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