tech experts believe that reaching thousands, and perhaps millions, of qubits is the key to actual quantum computing superiority over classical computing. under the title “scaling quantum qubits,” we discuss the efforts made to achieve this goal and its impact on the future of science and industry.
article contents:
- introduction
- the qubit principle and the noise obstacle
- atom computing breakthroughs
- massive opportunities upon reaching one thousand qubits
- remaining challenges
- frequently asked questions
introduction
quantum computing represents one of the most prominent scientific breakthroughs in the modern era. despite noticeable progress in this field, scaling the number of qubits (quantum bits of information) still poses a major challenge that requires concerted efforts to overcome.
the qubit principle and the noise obstacle
quantum physics concepts allow a qubit to exist in the states of 0 and 1 simultaneously. however, this immense advantage turns into a significant challenge when exposed to the slightest external disturbance known as quantum noise. therefore, companies like microsoft, amazon, and others need to provide ultra-low temperature cooling systems and advanced error correction techniques.
atom computing breakthroughs
in september 2024, atom computing, along with microsoft, announced the entanglement of 24 logical qubits, which then rose to 28 in november. in the 2025 version, the system reached 1,180 physical qubits. the issue is that every step toward increasing the number of qubits adds complexity in maintaining their stability and correcting errors.
massive opportunities upon reaching one thousand qubits
experts indicate that 100 qubits could allow for applications that exceed the capabilities of classical computers, such as simulating complex drug molecules. upon reaching 1,000 qubits, it becomes possible to employ quantum computing in data encryption sectors, big data analysis, and network management.
remaining challenges
error correction technology remains a fundamental obstacle, in addition to super-cooling requirements and power supply. with the entry of competitors like d-wave, phisicraft, and zapata computing, the pressure to innovate and find faster solutions for scaling increases. analysts expect the near future to witness noticeable progress in “scaling quantum qubits,” which could change all sectors.
frequently asked questions
1. why does quantum computing need a large number of qubits?
to complete larger and more complex calculations that outperform the capabilities of traditional computers.
2. is having 1,180 qubits enough to achieve quantum supremacy?
not necessarily, as these systems require effective error correction to maintain calculations, and we may need thousands of additional qubits.
3. can quantum computing crack current encryption?
yes, it may be able to break complex encryption algorithms quickly, necessitating the development of quantum-resistant encryption.
4. how important is error correction?
it is very essential to ensure the consistency of calculation results, because quantum noise leads to rapid errors in the absence of correction.
5. when will quantum computing become mainstream?
we may see specialized applications soon, but widespread use requires additional years to overcome technical challenges.
