Written by Andrew Wooden
IBM Quantum Heron will be the first in a series of ‘utility-scale’ quantum processors, and alongside this the tech giant has unveiled IBM Quantum System Two, which is a modular quantum computer and described as a cornerstone of IBM's quantum-centric supercomputing architecture.
The first IBM Quantum System Two, located in Yorktown Heights, New York, has begun operations with three IBM Heron processors humming away inside.
A bunch of researchers, scientists and engineers from IBM and heavyweight international universities have already begun playing around with the Heron 133-qubit processor – or ‘exploring uncharted computational territory’. This appears to build on some work earlier this year which sought to demonstrate quantum computing’s utility in crunching problems in chemistry, physics, and materials ‘beyond brute force classical simulation of quantum mechanics.’
"We are firmly within the era in which quantum computers are being used as a tool to explore new frontiers of science," said Dario Gil, IBM SVP and Director of Research. "As we continue to advance how quantum systems can scale and deliver value through modular architectures, we will further increase the quality of a utility-scale quantum technology stack – and put it into the hands of our users and partners who will push the boundaries of more complex problems."
