All Quantum Computing Posts
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Quantum Computing
Experimental Quantum Error Correction Below Threshold
When Harvard’s neutral-atom team quietly dropped their new paper on a fault-tolerant architecture for universal quantum computation, a few days ago, it felt like the field had crossed an invisible line. For years we’ve had impressive pieces of the puzzle - better qubits here, a clever code there, some elegant theory everywhere – but Lukin’s group managed to put all of the core ingredients of…
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Quantum Computing
Analysis of Quantinuum Helios, a 98‑Qubit Trapped‑Ion Quantum Computer
In November 2025, Quantinuum unveiled Helios, a new 98-qubit quantum processor that pushes the frontier of quantum computing with a novel trapped-ion architecture. It also published an accompanying paper on arXiv "Helios: A 98-qubit trapped-ion quantum computer." Helios is based on the quantum charge-coupled device (QCCD) design, meaning it physically moves ion qubits around on a chip like an information bus, rather than relying on…
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Quantum Computing
Predicting Quantum Computing Winning 2025 Nobel Physics Prize
Announcements of 2025 Nobel Prize winners start tomorrow. With announcements for Nobel Prize for Physics scheduled for Tuesday 7 October. Every autumn I indulge in a guilty pleasure: browsing speculative lists of Nobel Prize contenders and trying to guess who might pick up the world’s most coveted science prize. Part of the fun is that the Nobel process is shrouded in secrecy. According to the…
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Quantum Computing
Quantum MedBeds and Death Threats
I never write about current politics. This might be my first on this blog. In fact, for the sake of my own sanity, I’ve made a point of steering this blog and most of my day clear of politics and the daily chaos of partisan news. I prefer to focus on science and quantum tech. However, recent events have dragged me out of that apolitical…
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Quantum Computing
Cisco’s Full-Stack Approach and the Road to Quantum Data Centers
Cisco took on an ambitious full-stack strategy to make distributed quantum computing a reality sooner than many expect. Instead of waiting for a single perfect quantum processor with millions of qubits, Cisco is building the hardware, software, and architecture needed to network today’s smaller quantum machines into unified quantum data centers. This approach mirrors how classical computing scaled - connecting many modest nodes to achieve…
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Quantum Computing
The Easiest Job in Quantum Computing – Being a Cynic
Don’t mistake the noise of cynicism for the signal of intelligence. If someone validates themselves as a useless cynic - unwilling to provide anything beyond scoffs and derision - don’t waste your energy getting dragged into their performative pessimism. Instead, direct your attention to the genuine skeptics and curious contrarians who challenge ideas in good faith. Engage with those asking hard questions and with the enthusiasts…
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Leadership
Why Companies May Need a Chief Quantum Officer (CQO)
In my opinion, forward-thinking organizations should consider creating a Chief Quantum Officer (CQO) role. Much like those historical electricity executives, a CQO would spearhead the adoption of a disruptive technology that is revolutionary, promising - but widely misunderstood. It’s a provocative idea (even “a job title from Star Trek,” as one commentator quipped ), but it’s quickly moving from speculation to reality. A few bold…
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Quantum Computing
Magic States: A Key to Universal Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing
Magic states are special quantum states that enable the universal operations needed for any quantum algorithm, yet which are not themselves easy to produce or protect. In essence, magic states supply the "extra quantum sauce" that elevates a protected quantum computer from what could be emulated on a classical computer to a machine that can outperform classical supercomputers. Recent breakthroughs - from theory and small-scale…
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