IBM advances cryogenic technology for fault-tolerant quantum computing

The milestone tackles a key engineering challenge in scaling quantum computers, bringing IBM closer to building large-scale, fault-tolerant systems.

IBM has successfully connected and cooled two cryogenic modules in a shared environment, marking a key engineering step towards quantum computers capable of linking hundreds of processors. The modules reached temperatures below 15 millikelvin, more than 180 times colder than deep space.

The new architecture provides up to 12 times more wiring space than IBM’s existing quantum systems and is designed to connect separate processors using the company’s L-coupler technology. IBM plans to install Quantum Nighthawk processors in the modules later this year for further testing.

The roadmap targets a quantum system with at least 1,000 programmable qubits by 2027, while each cryogenic module is ultimately expected to house thousands of qubits. The planned fault-tolerant Quantum Starling system is targeted for delivery in 2029.

The development adds to IBM’s work on quantum error correction, processor design and decoding. The company says the modular cryogenic architecture will allow key components to be tested and improved independently, helping accelerate progress towards large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computing.