A multinational collaboration between QphoX (Netherlands), Rigetti Computing (USA), and the National Quantum Computing Centre (UK) has achieved a breakthrough in quantum computing. They've successfully demonstrated optical readout of superconducting qubits, a technique that could revolutionize the scalability of quantum computers.
The core innovation lies in using light transmitted over optical fiber to read the state of qubits. This method replaces conventional microwave amplifiers and coaxial wiring, significantly reducing heat load on cryogenic systems. This reduction in heat is a critical bottleneck in building universal quantum computers.
QphoX's optical qubit readout system will interface with Rigetti's 9-qubit Novera QPU, enabling optical readout of all qubits in the processor. This combined system will be installed and operated at the NQCC. This advancement promises to accelerate the development of fault-tolerant and scalable quantum computers, unlocking their vast potential for various industries.