Even in its more straightforward format, it remains a representation of a quantum system, along with the computational intricacies that accompany it. Therefore, the Quantinuum team simulated several systems that classical computers find challenging. One simulation involved examining a more extensive grid of atoms than is typically used in most classical simulations; another added an extra dimension to the grid, simulating layers of material. Perhaps the most complex simulation examined the effects of a laser pulse with the appropriate wavelength striking a superconductor at room temperature, an occurrence that temporarily induces a superconducting state.
The system yielded results even in the absence of error correction. “It’s perhaps a technical detail, yet I believe it’s a significant technical detail, which is [that] the circuits we executed all contained errors,” Dreyer informed Ars. “On average, there were about three errors, and for some unknown reason pertaining to this application, it doesn’t affect the outcome. In several of these instances, you still achieve nearly the perfect result.”
Nonetheless, he also pointed out that enhanced fidelity in hardware would enable the team to improve their capability in returning the system to a ground state or running the simulation for extended periods. However, these advancements will have to be deferred until future hardware becomes available.
What’s next
Quantinuum’s roadmap for upcoming hardware, Helios seems to be the final iteration of its kind. It and its predecessor processors incorporate loops and long straight pathways; all future iterations will employ a grid of squares. Nevertheless, both Strabley and Hayes mentioned that Helios possesses several essential transitional attributes. “Those ions traverse that junction numerous times throughout the circuit,” Strabley explained to Ars. “Thus, it has truly allowed us to enhance the junction’s reliability, which will be beneficial for large-scale systems.”
