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IBM’s ‘Loon’ Chip Marks Major Step Toward Practical Quantum Computers by 2029

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IBM has unveiled a new experimental quantum computing chip, dubbed “Loon,” that the company says achieves a critical milestone toward building useful, error-corrected quantum computers by 2029.

Quantum computers hold the potential to solve complex problems in chemistry, physics, and logistics that would take traditional supercomputers thousands of years to complete. However, the fragile quantum states that power these machines are notoriously prone to errors — a challenge that has long stood in the way of practical applications.

To address this, IBM in 2021 proposed an innovative approach to error correction, adapting algorithms originally developed to improve cellphone signal reliability. The method uses a hybrid system combining quantum and classical chips to stabilize qubits — the basic units of quantum computation.

According to Jay Gambetta, IBM Research director and IBM Fellow, the Loon chip was fabricated at the Albany NanoTech Complex in New York, using the same advanced semiconductor tools found in cutting-edge commercial fabs.

“Loon remains in early stages,” Gambetta said, “but it demonstrates a critical step toward error-corrected quantum computing that can outperform classical systems.”

IBM also introduced another chip, “Nighthawk,” which will be made available by the end of this year. The company expects Nighthawk to surpass classical computers on specific tasks by late 2026.

Analyst Mark Horvath of Gartner called the new design “very clever,” noting that the inclusion of quantum interconnections between qubits makes the chips harder to build but exponentially more capable.

IBM plans to make Nighthawk’s code openly available to researchers and startups, fostering a community-driven testing model to validate claims of quantum advantage — when quantum systems outperform classical ones.

Nobel Laureate and Tech Giants Form Alliance to Build Mass-Produced Quantum Supercomputers

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Nobel Prize-winning physicist John M. Martinis has teamed up with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and leading semiconductor companies to launch an ambitious initiative to build the world’s first mass-producible quantum supercomputer.

The collaboration, called the Quantum Scaling Alliance, brings together Applied Materials, Synopsys, 1QBit, Quantum Machines, Riverlane, and the University of Wisconsin. Its goal is to transition quantum computing from bespoke, laboratory-scale devices into scalable systems that can be manufactured using the same industrial tools that produce millions of chips for smartphones, laptops, and AI servers.

“Quantum chips have been made in an artisanal way for decades — small batches, one at a time. Now it’s time to move to a standard professional model,” Martinis told Reuters.

Quantum computers exploit qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously, enabling them to perform complex calculations exponentially faster than traditional machines. The alliance aims to overcome one of the key barriers in the field — scaling quantum systems while maintaining stability and error correction.

HPE’s quantum team, led by Masoud Mohseni, is working on the integration of quantum and classical computing systems — a critical step toward achieving large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum machines.

“People think that once you have hundreds or thousands of qubits, you can easily scale to millions. That’s just not true. Each scale brings new challenges,” Mohseni explained.

By uniting expertise in chip manufacturing, software design, and computing architecture, the Quantum Scaling Alliance hopes to create the foundation for commercially viable quantum supercomputers — machines capable of tackling problems in chemistry, medicine, materials science, and cryptography that are currently beyond reach.

IonQ to Acquire Oxford Ionics for $1.08 Billion to Boost Quantum Computing Research

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U.S.-based quantum computing company IonQ announced on Monday that it will acquire British peer Oxford Ionics for $1.08 billion in a cash-and-stock deal, aiming to strengthen its expertise in the rapidly growing quantum technology sector. IonQ’s shares rose nearly 4% in premarket trading following the announcement, with the company’s market valuation standing at $10.15 billion as of the last close.

Quantum computing, which leverages quantum bits or qubits to perform complex calculations faster and more efficiently than classical computers, has attracted significant investments from tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and IBM. Oxford Ionics specializes in innovative methods to control qubits, a critical focus area in advancing quantum computer performance.

The founders of Oxford Ionics, Chris Balance and Tom Harty, who are also researchers, will continue to work with IonQ after the acquisition closes. The transaction price per share will be set between $30.22 and $50.37 based on IonQ’s stock price in the 20 days preceding deal closure, expected within this year.

Although revenues remain modest for quantum computing companies including IonQ and competitor Rigetti, the technology is viewed as vital for national security and has promising applications in fields such as medical research and cybersecurity.

IonQ has actively expanded its capabilities through acquisitions, including last year’s purchase of Boston startup Lightsynq, which focuses on quantum memory. Meanwhile, Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang announced plans to open a quantum computing research lab, signaling growing industry momentum, despite some skepticism about when the technology will be practically applicable.