Google’s most recent contribution to quantum tech is a new quantum chip they’ve dubbed Willow. This transformative discovery is a momentous leap forward in the emerging field of quantum computing. Willow, which is armed with 105 qubits, has already proven its amazing powers. It completed a landmark benchmark problem in a matter of minutes—what the most cutting-edge traditional supercomputer would require an incredible 10 septillion years to complete. This extraordinary accomplishment makes Willow a world leader in the rapidly advancing field of quantum technologies.
Willow is essentially an oil barrel-sized, highly engineered collection of flat, round, discs carefully linked together with hundreds of thin black control wires. In an advanced robotics lab, it hovers one meter off the ground. This rig includes a bronze liquid helium bath refrigerator, which maintains the rig at a temperature just above absolute zero. Willow’s radical design leverages the principles of quantum mechanics. This allows it to run extremely complex calculations faster than ever before.
Hartmut Neven, one of the chiefs of Google’s quantum division, highlighted the disruptive powers of Willow. He explained how quantum computers can access multiple combinations simultaneously within a single clock cycle, altering the landscape of computational power.
“As you have learned in your lab visit, the reason quantum computers are so powerful is that within one clock cycle it can touch two to the 105 combinations simultaneously. It makes you question where are these different things?… There’s a version of quantum mechanics to think about – the many worlds formulation – parallel universes or parallel reality.” – Hartmut Neven
Willow’s quantum advantage has reached extraordinary computational speeds but more importantly, it has made two critical milestones in quantum error correction. This cutting-edge new feature has facilitated iterative rounds of repair that incredibly improve computational accuracy and computational reliability. Neven thinks Willow’s potential applications are so fundamentally beneficial to humanity that he states,
“It will enable us to discover medicines more efficiently, it will help us make food production more efficient, it will help us produce energy, to transport energy, to store energy… solve climate change and human hunger.” – Hartmut Neven
As you know, Willow is changing fast. In the seven to eight year horizon, it’s forecasted to scale up and perform a trillion… wait for it… transactions! This exciting pace of growth can mean abundant new opportunities for academic research and commercial application alike.
The launch of Willow is occurring at a moment when the whole world is starting to pay attention to quantum technology. As of 2020, the UK wants to position itself as the number three player in this quantum space. More importantly, it recognizes Willow as a really big deal in the ongoing pursuit of quantum supremacy. Under Pan Jianwei’s guidance, China has rapidly made incredible strides in quantum breakthroughs. Since last year, it’s become the world leader in scientific papers on the subject. The Chinese government has allocated approximately $15 billion (£11 billion) to quantum technology—potentially surpassing all other countries’ government programs combined.
China’s Zuchongzhi 3.0 quantum computer employs technology like that of Willow. It’s the distinctive tactic it adopts that truly makes it stand out in the tech competition. Both countries are in a heated competition to unlock the game-changing capabilities of quantum computing, which promise revolutions in everything from cryptography to pharmaceuticals.
The implications of these advancements are profound. Sir Peter Knight, an expert in quantum science, warned that the rise of quantum computing necessitates a reevaluation of current security measures, particularly concerning cryptocurrency.
“All of cryptocurrency will also have to be re-examined because of the quantum computing threat,” – Sir Peter Knight
Beyond all of its pioneering features, Google recently shared its intention to open Willow commercially this fall. This move is a major step in real progress bringing quantum computing to real-world applications across all industries.