Quantum computer race intensifies as alternative technology gains steam
News Highlights: Quantum computer race intensifies as alternative technology gains steam.
An ion trap from Honeywell’s quantum computer. Credit: Honeywell Quantum Solutions
A technology for building quantum computers that has long been discarded by large corporations is gaining momentum. As quantum computers have transformed from academic practice to big business over the past decade, the spotlight has been mainly on one approach: the tiny superconducting loops being embraced by technology giants such as IBM and Intel. Thanks to superconductors, Google was able to claim last year that it had achieved “quantum advantage” with a quantum machine that for the first time performed a certain calculation beyond the practical capabilities of the best classic computer. But a separate approach, using ions trapped in electric fields, is gaining momentum in the search for a commercial quantum computer.