Tianyan-287 superconductivity quantum computer Photo: Courtesy of China Telecom Quantum Group
China's latest superconducting quantum computer, which reportedly can process specific problems 450 million times faster than the world's leading supercomputer, will open application services to the global research and business community. It marks an important step forward for China in the practical use of quantum computing.
Codenamed "Tianyan-287," the superconducting quantum computer is fully domestically produced by a joint team from the China Telecom Quantum Group (CTQG) and QuantumCTek. Using the same quantum chips as the experimental "Zuchongzhi 3.0," it is no longer a laboratory prototype but a purpose-built system for commercial use, the Global Times learned from CTQG on Tuesday.
A quantum is the smallest and indivisible unit used to describe fundamental physical quantities in the microscopic world and is the most basic carrier of energy. Quantum technology leverages properties such as quantum superposition, quantum entanglement, and the no-cloning theorem to enable applications including quantum computing, quantum measurement, and quantum communication, according to China Central Television (CCTV).
Located at the China Telecom Anhui Big Data Industrial Park in Hefei, East China's Anhui Province, Tianyan-287 uses the same model of chip that powers China's independently developed superconducting quantum computer prototype "Zuchongzhi 3.0," according to CTQG. The quantum computer prototype has set a new world record for quantum computational advantage in superconducting systems, CCTV reported.
Quantum advantage refers to a quantum computing system demonstrating capabilities on specific tasks that far surpass those of classical supercomputers. It is a key indicator for measuring the performance of a quantum computing system, serving as a prerequisite for moving quantum computing toward practical application, and has become an important milestone for showcasing a country's research strength in the field, according to CTQG.
Because of its extremely powerful computing capability, it only takes 10 minutes for the superconducting quantum computer to handle certain specialized tasks that would take the world's fastest supercomputer roughly 16,000 years to complete, according to CCTV.
According to Zhang Xinfang, a senior researcher on quantum computing at CTQG, this computer has achieved full domestication - from the core processor to the large dilution refrigerator which creates an ultra-cold operating environment, as well as the control software and hardware system for measurement, per CCTV.
The computer will be connected to CTQG's quantum computing cloud platform, making it available to users worldwide and allowing broader access its extraordinary computing power.
According to Mao Xiaoxiao, director of quantum product team at CTQG, the research team has built an integrated computing service platform that allows online access to quantum computing services, CCTV reported.
It can support a wide range of fields, including weather forecasting, biochemistry and FinTech. In the future, using quantum computing will be as convenient as using tap water or electricity, Mao said.
