China hits new landmark in global quantum computing race

Chinese scientists unveiled a superconducting quantum computer prototype named "Zuchongzhi 3.0" with 105 qubits on Monday, marking a breakthrough in China's quantum computing advancements.

The achievement also sets a new record in quantum computational advantage within superconducting systems.

Developed by Chinese quantum physicists Pan Jianwei, Zhu Xiaobo, and Peng Chengzhi, "Zuchongzhi 3.0" features 105 readable qubits and 182 couplers. It processes quantum random circuit sampling tasks at a speed quadrillion times faster than the world's most powerful supercomputer and 1 million times faster than Google's latest results published in Nature in October 2024.

The study was published online in the journal Physical Review Letters. Peer reviewers praised the work, calling it "benchmarking a new superconducting quantum computer, which shows state-of-the-art performance."

(Cover: CMG)