CES 2018: Intel Presents Out-of-This-World Quantum Computer

(Mirror Daily, United States) – During this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Intel unveiled a quantum computing system that represents an improved version of other models currently in the making.

The company’s chief executive Brian Krzanic is confident that the state-of-the-art 49-qubit quantum computer will enable the chip maker to achieve the “quantum supremacy”.

The new system is a major advance in a field dominated by 17-qubit systems. One such system was unveiled just a couple of months ago. Intel has reportedly joined forces with a Netherlands-based firm to expand the number of qubits.

The new system is inching closer to a quantum computer that will have real world applications. In October, the company unveiled its own 17-qubit machine. At the time, it explained that qubits can be “extremely fragile”.

In other words, the tiny units of quantum information are disturbed by the faintest noise or faulty observation which can lead to irreversible data loss.

Quantum Computers Need Extreme Cooling Solutions

Because of the fragility, current quantum computers need to operate at a temperature that is 250 colder than the outer space.

This is the main reason why quantum computer won’t be reaching common households in the near future. The oldest computers too needed extreme cooling solutions, but quantum computers cannot currently incorporate the cooling they need in a relatively tiny space.

Intel refused to be more specific about the new machine. In October, it said that its quantum computers use a different architecture which offers improved thermal performance and stability. Its 17-qubit computer’s chip supported 10-100x more signals. State-of-the-art technology was reportedly used to manufacture the microprocessor.

We expect the features that were unveiled in October to be incorporated in the latest machine which was nicknamed Tangle Lake. The name comes from the tangled states the electrons inside the system.
Image Source: Flickr

Bio
Latest Posts

John Birks

John holds a diploma in journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. He covers the technology, social media, green business, eco-travel, politics, arts culture.