Researchers have achieved a new pinnacle in quantum simulation using Quantinuum’s Helios computer, shattering previous records for superconductivity modeling.
Their work stands as a landmark moment for condensed matter physics, offering a scientific glimpse into materials that could one day conduct electricity with perfect efficiency.
The results, announced November 5, confirm a real-world quantum advantage in tackling some of physics’ most complex problems.
With this development, hopes rise that quantum technology may soon unlock new possibilities in energy transmission and electronics.
What sets Helios apart in quantum simulation?
Helios is Quantinuum’s third-generation trapped-ion quantum system, utilizing 98 barium ions for qubits rather than the more common ytterbium variety.
The switch to barium ions enables the use of lower-cost visible lasers, making the technology more scalable and easier to maintain.
All-to-all qubit connectivity means any ion can interact with any other ion, which is crucial for advanced error correction and for simulating large models without compromising computational performance.
Unlike traditional architectures, which limit qubit interactions, Helios supports universal connectivity and circuit complexity.
Its ion-trap design significantly lowers gate error rates and facilitates intricate quantum algorithms, positioning Helios at the forefront of scientific computing.
Did you know?
Quantinuum Helios uses barium ions as qubits, enabling quantum operations with visible lasers-a rare approach that increases scalability far beyond earlier systems.
How did Helios simulate superconductivity models?
The team used Helios to simulate the Fermi-Hubbard model, the foundational mathematical framework for superconductivity studies. They scaled up to 72 orbitals with circuits comprising up to 90 qubits and more than 3,400 two-qubit gates.
No previous quantum computer has attempted such a scale in modeling superconducting pairing correlations, which are essential for understanding perfect conductors.
Simulations covered non-equilibrium pairing induced by electromagnetic fields, d-wave pairing relevant to cuprate superconductors, and s-wave pairing seen in nickelate compounds.
The system detected increases in “eta” pairing correlations, providing the first reliable measurement on a quantum platform and opening doors to future discoveries in the field.
What technical advances enable this achievement?
Helios’s technical edge comes from its use of visible-spectrum lasers, which reduce cost and complexity, and from the all-to-all connectivity between barium ions, which enables sophisticated error-correction protocols not feasible on earlier quantum computers.
Henrik Dreyer from Quantinuum emphasized that, while classical computers can simulate the Fermi-Hubbard model only up to certain limits, Helios can handle more complex, time-evolving cases in hours rather than days.
This demonstrates quantum superiority for specific scientific workloads, making Helios a benchmark for future experiments in materials science and beyond.
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How could Helios impact commercial and research sectors?
Commercially, Quantinuum has formed strategic partnerships with global companies such as Amgen, BMW Group, JPMorgan, and SoftBank, offering them exclusive access to Helios’s computational power.
The ability to model superconductivity at this scale could help these organizations discover new materials and energy solutions far more quickly.
Singapore will become the first country outside the US to install a Helios system by 2026, signaling international momentum for quantum research infrastructure.
The US Department of Energy’s involvement underlines Helios’s practical significance, especially for applications in energy transmission, magnetic levitation, and next-generation computing.
What lies ahead for quantum computing and superconductors?
Quantinuum has already begun building Sol, its next-generation quantum computer with 192 qubits, and Apollo is scheduled to arrive in 2029. It aims for thousands of qubits with complete fault tolerance.
The technical leap Helios has made in measuring pairing correlations may accelerate the quest for room-temperature superconductors, which could revolutionize how energy is moved and stored across industries worldwide.
As quantum computers continue to break new ground, scientific progress in material science is poised to accelerate rapidly.
Researchers, engineers, and policymakers alike will soon find quantum simulations an essential tool for innovation in energy, transportation, and beyond.
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