Super Cool: IBM Links Cryogenic Modules to Scale Quantum Computing

IBM on Wednesday announced that it has successfully joined and cooled two cryogenic quantum "fridges," demonstrating a modular architecture designed to eventually link hundreds of quantum chips into more powerful quantum computers.

Big Blue cast the development as a milestone on the company's path to delivering IBM Quantum Starling in 2029, which IBM expects will be the world's first fault-tolerant quantum computer and will integrate advances across error correction, processor design, decoding and systems engineering.

"Bringing fault-tolerant quantum computers to industries depends on several fundamental advances," Jay Gambetta, director of IBM research and IBM fellow, said in a statement.

"The successful connection and operation of these cryogenic modules signals a leap forward in that direction," he continued, "and will accelerate our progress alongside continued innovation in quantum hardware, software, and algorithms."

Scaling Up in the Deep Freeze

IBM explained that the quantum fridges, which are more than eight feet tall and eight feet wide, can be jointly cooled down to 4 Kelvin (the temperature of liquid helium) in under five days and reach a final temperature below 15 millikelvin shortly thereafter.