The race towards quantum computational advantage: milestone photonic experiment

M. AbuGhanem, Hichem Eleuch

The quest for quantum advantage, wherein quantum computers surpass the computational capabilities of classical computers executing state-of-the-art algorithms on well-defined tasks, represents a pivotal race in the domain of quantum computing. NISQ (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum) computing has witnessed remarkable advancements, culminating in significant milestones on the journey towards the realization of universal fault-tolerant quantum computers. This transformative turning point, known as quantum supremacy, has been achieved amid a series of breakthroughs, signifying the dawn of the quantum era. Quantum hardware has undergone substantial integration and architectural evolution, contrasting with its nascent stages. In this review, we critically examine the quantum supremacy experiments conducted thus far, shedding light on their implications and contributions to the evolving landscape of quantum computing. Additionally, we endeavor to illuminate a range of cutting-edge proof-of-principle investigations in the realm of applied quantum computing, providing an insightful overview of the current state of applied quantum research and its prospective influence across diverse scientific, industrial, and technological frontiers.

Dominik Hangleiter

Quantum computational advantage was claimed for the first time in 2019 and several experiments since then have reinforced and strengthened the claim. At the same time, a new generation of quantum computing devices with 100 logical qubits is being built. This raises two questions: Has quantum advantage actually been achieved? And what should our next milestones be for the upcoming 100-logical-qubit era? In this perspective, I argue that, in fact, quantum advantage has been achieved. The status today is analogous to Bell-inequality violations in the 1980s where some loopholes remain open, specifically, scalability and verifiability. I then outline three milestones for the 100-logical-qubit era aiming to close those loopholes: demonstrate fault-tolerant quantum advantage, perform efficiently verifiable advantage using random circuits with symmetries, and eventually demonstrate classically verifiable advantage with applications to certified randomness. These milestones are also natural stepping stones towards running algorithms with cryptographic applications.

Chao‐Yang Lu

Rafael Pereira da Silva

James McKenzie

With a new era of quantum technology beckoning, James McKenzie reflects on recent milestones in the quantum computing “arms race”

Debarka Mukhopadhyay, Siddhartha Bhattacharyya, Jan Platoš +3 more