Behind IBM’s Quantum Computing Solution

Behind IBM’s Quantum Computing Solution

Quantum computing performs new operations on data or operations outside standard models of computation. We look at IBM’s quantum computing technology.

IBM 5-Qubit Processor

IBM scientists have achieved a further advance by combining 5 qubits in the lattice architecture, which demonstrates a key operation known as a parity measurement—the basis of many quantum error-correction protocols.

IBM Makes Quantum Computing Available on IBM Cloud

IBM Quantum Computing Scientist Jay Gambetta uses a tablet to interact with the IBM Quantum Experience, the first quantum computing platform delivered via the IBM Cloud at the company’s T. J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown, N.Y.

Inside an IBM Dilution Refrigerator

The gold-colored coaxial cables are used to send inputs and outputs from inside the fridge.

Preparing a Quantum Computing Experiment

IBM researchers load up the hardware inside a dilution refrigerator that is home to the 5-qubit device.

IBM Quantum Experience

IBM Quantum Computing Research Scientist Antonio Corcoles uses the IBM Quantum Experience on a tablet in the IBM Quantum Lab that shows an open dilution refrigerator.

Screen Shot of IBM Quantum Experience

Here is an image of Grover’s search algorithm (a quantum database search algorithm) in the composer. A universal quantum computer can be programmed to perform any computing task and will be exponentially faster than classical computers for a number of important applications for science and business.

User Guide

Here is a screen shot of the IBM Quantum Experience User Guide. The cloud-enabled quantum computing platform, called IBM Quantum Experience, will enable users to run algorithms and experiments on IBM’s quantum processor.

Wave Form Generators inside the IBM Quantum Lab

In the lab, IBM checks the microwave control hardware that generates pulses sent to the quantum processor.

Inside the IBM Quantum Lab

Here are images of closed dilution refrigerators that are home to superconducting qubits that must be cooled down to almost absolute zero (about -459 degrees Fahrenheit) inside. The temperature inside the refrigerator is coldest at the bottom, where the quantum information is processed.

Three Types of Quantum Computing

We look at the three known types of quantum computing and their applications, generality and computational power.

Experimentation

IBM Research scientist Jerry Chow conducts a quantum computing experiment at IBM’s Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. IBM has been focusing on quantum computing research for more than 30 years.

IBM 4-Qubit Square Circuit

Here’s a look at the layout of IBM’s 4-qubit superconducting quantum bit device announced in 2015. Using a square lattice, IBM is able to detect both types of quantum errors for the first time.

Dilution Refrigerator

In this photo, IBM scientist Stefan Filipp takes a close look at the dilution refrigerator that will keep qubits at temperatures colder than the deepest parts of outer space.

IBM Quantum Research Lab

Working with colleagues at IBM’s T.J. Watson Lab in New York, the company’ scientists in Zurich are building their own quantum research lab. Here, IBM scientist Andreas Fuhrer takes a closer look at the cryogenic refrigerator that also will help keep qubits at temperatures colder than the deepest parts of outer space.