Detailed data on QPU on IBM 433 Quantum Bits Cloud
Yesterday, IBM announced that its newest quantum processor, the Osprey (launched last December), is now available in IBM's cloud as an "exploratory technology demo".
Today, Jay Gambetta, IBM's vice president of quantum, announced the news via a LinkedIn post: 413 of the device's 433 quantum bits are now accessible.
Jay Gambetta's original posting
Topology diagram of the IBM Seattle (Osprey r1) processor. Dark blue dots indicate running quantum bits and light purple dots indicate non-running quantum bits.
"I am pleased to announce that our first IBM Quantum Osprey processor, ibm_seattle, is now live and accessible as an exploratory technology demonstration on our cloud service." Gambetta wrote: "We are pleased to introduce this largest quantum processor implemented to date, by number of accessible quantum bits, based on the heavy-hex (heavy-hex) architecture and cross-resonant gate scheme found in our previous processors (Falcon, Hummingbird and Eagle). architecture) and cross-resonant gate scheme."
"As we described at Quantum Summit 2022, Osprey brought together several key technologies to achieve its scalability, including novel elements in the package, scalable high-density flexible wiring and third-generation control electronics. Currently, users can access 413 of the 433 quantum bits, and the device performs in line with Eagle R1 due to design lock-in (https://lnkd.in/dJa9MU5y), which we are continuing to update on the internal R2 device."
In a LinkedIn post, he emphasized that Osprey is an exploratory device and said that the reduction in the number of accessible quantum bits "reaffirms" why IBM needs to move quickly from coaxial cables to flexible, high-density cable connections used throughout the system. Indeed, building these systems, housing them in dilution chillers, and maintaining connectivity to QPUs is a huge challenge. When Google experimented with the superiority of quantum computing on its "Sycamore" processor, the work was actually done with 53 quantum bits instead of 54 - because the connection to one quantum bit was broken.
Osprey is currently scheduled to be available to users in the first quarter.
At the Quantum Summit last December, IBM demonstrated a new low-temperature, flexible, high-density cable technology under development. IBM has a history of achieving its milestones, and the fact that Osprey is only now open for use certainly hints at the challenges of scaling quantum computing systems.
IBM's low-temperature cables
In introducing Osprey last year, Dario Gil, IBM senior vice president and director of research, said, "Osprey is by far the largest processor created in the world of superconducting quantum bits. Last year, when we had Eagle with 127 quantum bits (the first time anyone had crossed the 100 quantum bit barrier). This Osprey brings all the technologies we've been building for years, including 3D integration, multilayer wiring, the ability to separate the quantum bit control plane from the connection and readout planes. It's a remarkable experiment in materials, devices, packaging and the quantum processor itself."
Today, IBM has an aggressive roadmap in place - including a 1,100-quantum-bit processor to be delivered this year (2023).
The 2022 version of the roadmap
Next up are two processors planned for 2023: Condor, with 1,121 quantum bits, and Heron, with 133 quantum bits, which have many of the features necessary to connect multiple QPUs into a larger system.
Taken together, IBM says, the progress of these two QPUs helps create the conditions for a larger hybrid architecture. In the long term, as shown in the roadmap above, IBM plans to launch Crossbill (408 quantum bits) and Flamingo (1386+ quantum bits) in 2024, leading to Kookaburra (4158+ quantum bits) in 2026.
Reference links:
[1] https://www.hpcwire.com/2023/05/09/ibm-opens-access-to-latest-osprey-quantum-processor-at-413-qubits/
[2]https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jay-gambetta-a274753a_quantumcomputing-quantum-quantumtechnology-activity-7061459557100699648- 63G9/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
[3]https://quantumcomputingreport.com/ibms-400-qubit-osprey-processor-is-now-live-for-access/
