Shaping Tomorrow’s Technology With Google Quantum Computer

24 February 2025
10 min read
Hayk Tepanyan
Co-founder & CTO
Google quantum computer

What if the progress of technology is determined not by bits and bytes but by quantum computers? Imagine hardware that transcends the limits of classical physics, solving problems that stump even the most advanced supercomputers. This is not science fiction; it is a newly developed reality stimulated by the constant desire for innovation.

Google's researchers have launched a new chapter in the quantum computing narrative as we drive towards an age where quantum dominance is within grasp. Google Quantum AI is pushing the boundaries of quantum computing and creating the necessary tools for researchers to transcend classical limitations.

Quantum Computing in a Nutshell

In essence, quantum computing is a deviation from traditional computer concepts. It uses the concepts of quantum physics to process information in a fundamentally new way. While traditional computers rely on either 0 or 1 bits, quantum computers use quantum bits (or qubits) that can exist simultaneously in several states due to phenomena such as entanglement and superposition in quantum computing—but more on those later. 

As a result, quantum computers can do complex computations much quicker than classical computers. This makes them ideal for tackling issues in cryptography, optimization, material science, and other fields.

The true power of quantum computing lies in its ability to explore multiple solutions at once, potentially revolutionizing fields that were previously limited by classical computing constraints.

Quantum Mechanics Primer

When it comes to the quantum mechanical model, three fundamental principles rewrite the rules of classical physics: superposition, entanglement, and the mysterious quantum bits, or qubits. These quantum computing basics are the main pillars of this game-changing technology. 

Superposition

Quantum mechanics allows particles to exist in multiple states at the same time. This remarkable phenomenon, known as superposition in quantum computing, allows qubits to represent a combination of 0 and 1 simultaneously, exponentially expanding the potential computational power.

Entanglement

A puzzling connection that links particles, causing their states to merge. Even when separated by vast distances, changes in the state of one particle instantly influence the state of its entangled partner, defying classical concepts of locality.

Quantum Bits (Qubits)

Serving as the quantum analogs to classical bits, these entities diverge in behavior. Unlike classical bits, which can be either 0 or 1, qubits can exist in superposition. This shows the remarkable computational abilities of quantum computing and how it can process an enormous amount of information in parallel.

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Quantum Gates and Circuits

Fundamental to quantum circuits are quantum gates—elemental units that manipulate the quantum states of qubits. These gates, represented as matrices, are the counterparts of classical logical gates like AND and OR.

  • The Pauli gates (X, Y, Z)
  • Hadamard gate (inducing superposition)
  • CNOT gate (entangling qubits)
  • T gate (creating phase shifts)

With the Pauli gates (named after Wolfgang Pauli), the X gate flips qubit states, Y introduces phase shifts, and Z maintains or changes states. The Hadamard gate crafts superpositions while CNOT fosters entanglement, and the T gate imparts phase shifts. These gates allow for complex quantum operations, like quantum programming, and emphasize the reversibility and unitarity that are intrinsic to the innovative power of quantum computing.

Quantum circuits consist of interconnected quantum gates linked by quantum wires, constructing a framework guided by the unitary transformation, U. The arrangement, gate types, and interconnections within the circuit align with the transformation's execution. Although the use of input and output qubit registers for explanation, physically, quantum circuit inputs and outputs aren't as separate as their classical counterparts. This facilitates a coherent depiction of unitary transformations. 

Quantum wires alongside gates allow for complex circuitry composition, with outputs of one operation feeding into another. These wires don't alter quantum states computationally; they resemble Pauli identity operator transformations. Quantum circuits adhere to DiVincenzo's criteria and are depicted graphically with qubit lines representing operations and time on the horizontal axis.

Google's Quantum Leap: Progress and Achievements

With innovations like Quantum AI, Google has accomplished a quantum leap that reflects its remarkable progress. Recent quantum research shows the extent of their advancements. A key highlight is their achievement of Google quantum supremacy, with the Sycamore quantum processor completing a complex computation in a mere 200 seconds, outpacing conventional supercomputers by a staggering 47 years.

Quantum chip processor hardware

Quantum Supremacy Achievement

The Google quantum computing breakthrough in quantum power, achieved through their 53-qubit Sycamore processor, proved to be a quantum leap in computing. In a statement that highlights the immense capabilities of quantum computing, Google revealed that the latest quantum experiment, involving a random circuit sampling calculation, would take decades to complete on a classical computer.

Google's landmark 2019 quantum supremacy experiment used their 53-qubit Sycamore processor, completing a calculation in minutes that would take traditional supercomputers thousands of years. Google continues to advance their quantum hardware capabilities, with each generation bringing us closer to practical quantum applications.

The notion of quantum supremacy revolves around showing a quantum computer's capacity to do a job impossible for classical supercomputers to complete in a reasonable amount of time. In 2019, Google announced that their Sycamore computer had performed a complicated computation in 200 seconds, a feat that would take over 10,000 years for the world's best traditional supercomputers.

The success of the new Google quantum computer, now equipped with 70 qubits, relied on preserving qubit coherence, a key challenge in quantum computing due to qubits' sensitivity to decoherence from their surroundings. Google used error-correcting codes and advanced calibration procedures to stabilize the qubits, allowing for sustained quantum processing.

This achievement cements Google's reputation as a quantum computing innovator. It has generated discussions about the potential for quantum computing hardware to change industries by addressing previously thought intractable issues in realistic timescales. As the company’s quantum efforts develop with the creation of the Google Sycamore processor, the possibilities for numerous industries, from healthcare to finance, become clear.

Quantum Volume and Error Correction

Quantum volume point corrector indicator

Google's groundbreaking achievement in quantum supremacy has evolved into a profound exploration of quantum volume and the imperative field of error correction. This progress aligns with Google's pursuit of building practical quantum computers that can solve complex problems. The concept of quantum volume, pioneered by IBM, extends beyond qubit quantity, encapsulating connectivity, and error rates to assess a quantum computer's potential holistically. 

This innovative approach culminated in creating a logical qubit from 49 physical counterparts, surpassing the performance of a 17-qubit logical qubit. Addressing the sensitivity of qubits to noise and errors, which are inherent challenges in quantum computing, makes this advancement pivotal.

A critical aspect of quantum supremacy is error correction—as it protects quantum information from noise and guarantees reliable computing. In Google's pursuit of fault-tolerant quantum computation, information is redundantly encoded across several physical qubits to produce logical qubits. The error correction cycle entails complicated gates, measurements, and correction sequences that promote error-resistant Google quantum computer breakthroughs. 

Despite its importance, error correction necessitates a significant cost in terms of qubit count. The difficulty of quantum error correction emphasizes the enormous task of establishing error-resistant quantum computing. The interaction between error correction and quantum volume is a fundamental nexus that determines the viability and scalability of quantum computers.

The Google Quantum Computer Explained: Benefits and Applications

Google's quantum computer has opened avenues for major innovations. As quantum computing progresses, it has the potential to change businesses and professions ranging from materials science to encryption. Google's pioneering work in quantum computing is set to unleash unprecedented processing power, allowing answers to difficult problems that have long baffled traditional computers.

Quantum computers excel at complicated issue solving because they use the unique features of Google quantum computer qubits to solve certain classes of problems faster and more effectively than regular computers. This skill can potentially alter sectors like materials science, pharmaceutical research, subatomic physics, and logistics, all of which rely on complex computations.

Moreover, the integration of quantum computing and artificial intelligence points toward a paradigm shift. Quantum technology shows exciting potential for transforming specific AI challenges, particularly in optimization, sampling, and simulation. As researchers solve technical hurdles, we may see breakthrough applications that combine quantum advantages with classical AI techniques, opening new frontiers in machine learning capabilities.

Accelerating Complex Calculations

Google quantum computing hardware examples

The potential of quantum computing to accelerate complex calculations is a cornerstone of its transformative power. The fastest quantum computer can outpace classical counterparts in solving intricate problems by harnessing the unique properties of qubits.

Complex calculations are at the heart of advancements in materials science, pharmaceutical research, and quantum cryptography. Quantum computers promise to revolutionize these domains by exploring large solution spaces, leading to discoveries that would be impractical or impossible using classical methods. As quantum technology advances and error correction techniques evolve, the possibilities for accelerating complex calculations grow. This lays the groundwork for scientific breakthroughs and innovations with far-reaching impact.

Advancements in AI and Machine Learning 

When it comes to AI and machine learning advancements, the role of Cirq comes to mind. As an open-source framework developed by Google, Cirq facilitates the design, simulation, and execution of quantum algorithms on quantum computers. It is specifically designed for Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) devices, which are the current generation of quantum computers with limited qubits and high error rates.

While Cirq is primarily designed for quantum computing, its impact on AI and machine learning emerges through two main avenues:

Quantum Machine Learning (QML)

Quantum computers, including those supported by Cirq, have the potential to improve certain aspects of machine learning algorithms. Quantum machine learning explores how quantum systems can be used to process and analyze data more efficiently than their classical counterparts.

Algorithms like quantum support vector machines, quantum neural networks, and quantum clustering algorithms use the unique properties of quantum computing to perform tasks like pattern recognition, optimization, and data analysis faster than classical methods. Cirq provides a platform for experimenting with and implementing these quantum machine learning algorithms, which could potentially lead to breakthroughs in AI.

Optimization Problems

Many AI and machine learning tasks involve optimization, where the goal is to find the best solution among numerous possibilities. Quantum computers, including those enabled by Cirq, excel in solving optimization problems due to their inherent parallelism and optimization-oriented algorithms. This can directly impact AI by improving training processes in neural networks, optimizing parameters in complex models, and enhancing other optimization-based algorithms used in machine learning.

Breakthroughs in Drug Discovery

Drug discovery screening strategies

When it comes to medical advancement, integrating quantum computing into drug discovery is a monumental leap forward. Traditionally, drug discovery has been a time-intensive process, with researchers sifting through vast datasets and intricate biochemical interactions. The parallel processing capabilities of quantum computing have surpassed these limitations, allowing for the rapid analysis of complex biological systems and accelerating the identification of potential drug candidates.

The fusion of quantum computing and drug discovery isn't merely a theoretical concept; it has become a tangible reality. By simulating molecular interactions at an atomic level, quantum computers can predict how different compounds might behave, thus guiding scientists toward the most promising avenues for drug development. This transformative approach expedites the entire drug discovery pipeline, from target identification to clinical trials.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Google's quantum computer work?

Google's quantum computer, Sycamore, operates using superconducting qubits that leverage quantum superposition and entanglement to perform complex calculations. Unlike classical computers that process information in binary (0s and 1s), Sycamore’s qubits can exist in multiple states at the same time, allowing for parallel processing on a massive scale. The Google quantum computing technology uses specialized quantum gates and error correction techniques to manipulate qubits and perform tasks like optimization, machine learning, and simulations. 

How expensive is Google's quantum computer?

The exact cost of Google's quantum computer is not publicly disclosed, but estimates suggest that developing and maintaining a quantum system like Sycamore costs hundreds of millions of dollars. The cost includes cryogenic cooling systems, superconducting materials, error correction research, and infrastructure for running quantum experiments. While companies like IBM and Amazon offer cloud access to quantum processors, Google primarily focuses on research and internal applications, making direct pricing information unavailable.

What is the stock symbol for Google Quantum AI?

Google Quantum AI is part of Alphabet Inc., which trades under the stock symbols GOOGL (Class A shares) and GOOG (Class C shares). There is no separate stock symbol for Google’s quantum computing division, as it falls under Google’s research and AI initiatives within Alphabet.

Did Google’s quantum computer create an artificial wormhole?

No, Google's quantum computer did not create an artificial wormhole. However, it did simulate a simplified quantum model of a wormhole. In 2022, researchers used Google's quantum processor to simulate quantum teleportation, mimicking some properties of a wormhole within a controlled quantum system. This was merely a mathematical and experimental quantum physics simulation, not a physical wormhole that could transport matter or energy through spacetime.

How many qubits does Google’s quantum computer have?

Google’s Sycamore processor, which achieved quantum supremacy in 2019, had 54 qubits, though only 53 were operational during the experiment. As of July 2023, Google has upgraded Sycamore to 70 qubits. In a recent experiment, this 70-qubit processor completed a computational task in under five minutes—a task that would take the fastest classical supercomputers nearly 47 years to complete.

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