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IBM entangled two quantum chips to work together for the first time

IBM has bet big on a modular approach to building quantum computers, and now it has successfully linked two quantum chips together to operate as a single device, a key step towards that goal

By Matthew Sparkes

20 November 2024

An artist’s impression of IBM’s Eagle quantum processing unit

IBM

IBM has made a significant advance on the road to larger and more powerful quantum computers by linking two such devices together and performing calculations beyond the capabilities of either alone. The result is a positive sign that the company’s bet on a modular approach to scaling up quantum computers is feasible.

Quantum computers promise to be able to solve certain problems much faster than conventional devices, but major hurdles remain, including making the computers large enough while reducing errors. Various research groups and companies are taking different approaches to…

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