Amazon Web Services (AWS) designed its new prototype of quantum chip, Oculot, to address one of the most third challenges of Quantum Computing: the correction of errors. The company states that the new chip reduces error rates by up to 90%, an advance that would mark a turning point in the race to make quantum technology practical and reliable.
The error correction challenge in quantum computing
Quantum computing promises to revolutionize the resolution of problems in fields ranging from cryptography to artificial intelligence. However, an important obstacle has hindered progress: the correction of errors. Quantum bits, or qubits are highly sensitive to environmental disturbances, which can lead to calculation and instability errors. Traditional methods to correct these errors are intensive in resources and have slowed the way to scalable quantum systems.
Amazon's Ocelot chip presents a novel solution by taking advantage of “cats of cats”, inspired by Schrödinger's mental experiment. These qubits are designed to naturally resist specific types of errors, reducing the need for complex errors correction protocols. According to AWS, this approach can reduce the correction costs of quantum errors by up to 90% compared to traditional methods.
This advance could overcome one of the largest obstacles in quantum computing, which can accelerate the timeline for practical applications. The AWS CEO, Matt Garman, compared this innovation with “moving from vacuum tubes not reliable to reliable transistors in early computer science, a fundamental change that turned the possibility into reality.”
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A change of play in the quantum race
When addressing in front, Amazon is positioned as a contender in the quantum computing career against technological giants such as Google and Microsoft. While Google's Willow chip has record calculation speeds and Microsoft Majorana 1 chip improves stability through new matter states, Oculot's approach in error suppression highlights a different route towards scalable quantum systems.
What follows Ocellot?
Oclot remains only a research prototype, but its introduction indicates being a serious Amazon commitment to the progress of quantum technology. If this error correction approach is successful, it could pave the way for advances in industries such as cryptography, material science and artificial intelligence. As Quantum computing continues to evolve, the Amazon Ocelot chip could be the key to overcoming the error correction barrier, approaching one more step to the realization of all the potential of quantum technology.
