Quantum computers may arrive sooner than expected, paving the way toward a new data era. Even though full-scale and fully fault-tolerant quantum computers remain in their infancy, rapid advancement...
In this perspective article, we revisit and critically evaluate prevailing viewpoints on the capabilities and limitations of near-term quantum computing and its potential transition toward fully fault-tolerant quantum computing. We examine theoretical no-go results and their implications, addressing misconceptions about the practicality of quantum error mitigation techniques and variational quantum algorithms. By emphasizing the nuances of error scaling, circuit depth, and algorithmic feasibility, we highlight viable near-term applications and synergies between error mitigation and early fault-tolerant architectures. Our discussion explores strategies for addressing current challenges, such as barren plateaus in variational circuits and the integration of quantum error mitigation and quantum error correction techniques. We aim to underscore the importance of continued innovation in hardware and algorithmic design to bridge the gap between theoretical potential and practical utility, paving the way for meaningful quantum advantage in the era of late noisy intermediate scale and early fault-tolerant quantum devices.
Ever increasing number of qubits and improving fidelities pave the way for transitioning from the current NISQ era to the fully fault tolerant quantum computing (FTQC) era. Besides large numbers of high quality qubits, FTQC requires sophisticated quantum error correction (QEC). Here we propose a way to connect the frontend controlling the qubits to the QEC backend in a scalable way using regular Ethernet equipment. We analyze the bandwidth requirements and scaling to large number of qubits. The proposed network allows for a crossvendor connectivity, allowing arbitrary QEC backend systems to be matched with various qubit control frontends.