Quantum computing is making progress. After years of gradual development, the race is on to create a quantum computer that can outperform classical machines. Right now, we’re in the “noisy intermediate-scale quantum era.” But the good news is that many of the pieces needed to build more advanced and stable machines are starting to come together.

During the Microsoft Ignite 2024 conference, Microsoft and Atom Computing made a significant announcement on the journey to fault-tolerant quantum computing. The two companies successfully entangled 24 logical qubits using neutral atoms held in place by lasers. This achievement marks the highest number of entangled logical qubits on record. (It takes multiple physical qubits to create a logical qubit for running quantum algorithms).

What’s equally important is that this system was able to detect and correct when one of the neutral atoms forming a physical qubit disappeared—a common occurrence. Commercial quantum computers based on this technology are expected to be delivered next year, featuring over 1,000 physical qubits.

Using this cutting-edge system, Microsoft and Atom Computing created 20 logical qubits from 80 physical qubits and ran the Bernstein-Vazirani algorithm successfully. This classic quantum algorithm displays the powers of superposition and interference, allowing quantum computers to find a secret code instantaneously, a task that would take classical computers much longer.

Krysta Svore, the technical fellow and vice president of advanced quantum development for Microsoft Azure Quantum, explained that they have demonstrated the ability to compute with logical qubits and implement repeated loss correction. The Azure Quantum Compute platform offers a qubit virtualization system, enabling the design of quantum error correction tailored to a specific quantum processor. This is what has propelled Microsoft’s recent advances with Quantinuum, achieving 12 logical qubits.

Atom Computing’s progress with neutral atoms and Microsoft’s virtualization system have paved the way for these recent quantum computing advances. This loss correction demonstration is a significant breakthrough in quantum computing.

Looking ahead, Microsoft and Atom Computing plan to support over 1,000 physical qubits in their commercial machine next year. This partnership aims to provide reliable logical qubits on a quantum machine, facilitating progress in fields like chemistry and materials science.