Spy Agency Bets on IBM for Universal Quantum Computing
Spy Agency Bets on IBM for Universal Quantum Computing A real-life U.S. version of “Q Branch” from the James Bond films has greater ambitions than creating personal spy gadgets such as exploding watches or weaponized Aston Martins. It’s betting on an IBM team to develop the first logical qubits as crucial building blocks for universal quantum computers capable of outperforming today’s classical computers. Most quantum computing efforts have focused on building ever-larger arrays of quantum bits, called qubits, made from physical components such as superconducting loops of metal or charged atoms trapped within magnetic fields. Qubits can harness the weird power of quantum physics to exist in two states simultaneously and influence distant qubits through quantum entanglement, but the challenge comes from maintaining fragile quantum states long enough to perform computer calculations. As a next step, the U.S. Intelligence Advanced Researc...