IBM reveals the ‘Quantum Heron’, the world’s highest-performing quantum processor to date. On November 14th, IBM introduced the new quantum processor designed to provide high levels of scale, speed, and accuracy for executing complex algorithms on quantum computers.
The IBM Quantum Heron is the highest-performing quantum processor currently available from IBM and can be accessed through IBM’s global quantum data centers. It allows the execution of specific classes of quantum circuits up to 5000 two-qubit gate operations accurately by utilizing Qiskit. This enables users to explore solving scientific problems in various fields such as materials, chemistry, life sciences, and high-energy physics using quantum computers.
This achievement marks another milestone in IBM’s quantum development roadmap, pushing forward the era of quantum usefulness as IBM and its business partners work towards quantum advantage and the advanced error-correction systems planned for 2029.
Due to improvements in IBM Heron and Qiskit, users can now run quantum circuits consisting of up to 5000 gates, a count nearly double the accurately executed gates during IBM’s 2023 demonstration of quantum usefulness. This advancement enhances IBM Quantum’s computing power beyond traditional simulation methods. In a practical demonstration published in Nature in 2023, data processing took a total of 112 hours, whereas with the latest IBM Heron processor, the same task was completed in just 2.2 hours, a 50-fold increase in speed.
IBM has evolved Qiskit, which is the most advanced quantum software globally, to allow developers to build complex quantum circuits with enhanced stability, accuracy, and speed more easily. Benchmark tests conducted using the open-source tool Benchpress reveal that Qiskit offers the highest performance and stability as a quantum software development kit, verified through over 1000 tests by an independent body.
The IBM Quantum platform continues to expand its range of options with new Qiskit services, such as generative AI-based capabilities and new software from IBM partners, supporting a network of experts across various industries in developing next-generation algorithms for scientific research.
Jay Gambetta, IBM’s Vice President of Quantum, stated, “With the advancements in IBM Quantum hardware and Qiskit, users can now develop new algorithms combining the strengths of advanced quantum and traditional supercomputing resources. As we progress towards an error-correcting quantum system, the newly discovered algorithms in various industries will be key in realizing the potential of this uncharted area of computing that merges QPUs, CPUs, and GPUs.”