IQM Quantum Computers, a leading company in the quantum computing industry, has recently achieved significant benchmarks with its 20-qubit quantum computer. The breakthroughs were made possible through the integration of key technology components, including 'Quantum Processing Units' (QPUs) chips manufactured at IQM's facility. This, combined with internally developed advanced control electronics, has allowed the company to accomplish these results.

The key achievements include:

-Two-Qubit Gate Fidelity: The 20-qubit processor demonstrated a median two-qubit gate fidelity of 99.51% across 30 qubit pairs, with the highest fidelity over a single pair reaching 99.8%. This high fidelity is crucial for the reliable operation of quantum computers, as it indicates the accuracy of quantum gate operations, a critical component of quantum computing.
-Quantum Volume (QV): IQM achieved a QV of 2^5=32. QV is a metric that combines the number of qubits and the quality of quantum gate operations into a single number, reflecting the overall performance and power of a quantum computer.
-Circuit Layer Operations Per Second (CLOPS): The system achieved a CLOPS rate of 2600, indicating the throughput speed of the quantum computer based on the execution of random circuits.
-20-Qubit GHZ State: Reaching a 20-qubit GHZ state with fidelity greater than 0.5 demonstrates the system's ability to create large-scale entanglement, a key requirement for surpassing classical computing capabilities.
-Q-Score: A Q-score of 11 was achieved, which measures the quantum computer's performance on real combinatorial optimization tasks, indicating the scale at which problems can be solved using the quantum computer.

Why does it matter?

These achievements are part of IQM's broader mission to build quantum computers that deliver maximum value to end-users, including supercomputing centers, research labs, and industrial customers. The company's success in achieving these benchmarks is a testament to the functionality and quality of its technology, laying the groundwork for the future of quantum computing.

IQM is not only focused on enhancing the performance and scale of its quantum computers but is also working with prototype systems up to 150 qubits. IQM's achievements highlight the company's dedication to advancing quantum computing technology and its potential for large-scale commercial adoption. The recent benchmarks represent a considerable step forward in the quest for the quantum advantage, a point where quantum computers will solve problems beyond the reach of traditional computing.

With continued investment and interest in quantum technology from both the public and private sectors, we can expect an acceleration in these performances, paving the way for new applications and substantial progress in various sectors, including medical research, engineering, cryptography, and AI.