Google says an advanced computer has achieved "quantum supremacy" for the first time, surpassing the performance of conventional devices.
The technology giant's Sycamore quantum processor was able to perform a specific task in 200 seconds that would take the world's best supercomputers 10,000 years to complete.
Scientists have been working on quantum computers for decades because they promise much faster speeds.
The result appears in Nature journal.
In classical computers, the unit of information is called a "bit" and can have a value of either 1 or 0. But its equivalent in a quantum system - the qubit (quantum bit) - can be both 1 and 0 at the same time.
This phenomenon opens the door for multiple calculations to be performed simultaneously. But the qubits need to be synchronised using a quantum effect known as entanglement, which Albert Einstein termed "spooky action at a distance".
However, scientists have struggled to build working devices with enough qubits to make them competitive with conventional types of computer.
Sycamore contains 54 qubits, although one of them did not work, so the device ran on 53 qubits.
In their Nature paper, John Martinis of Google, in Mountain View, and colleagues set the processor a random sampling task - where it produces a set of numbers that has a truly random distribution.
Sycamore was able to complete the task in three minutes and 20 seconds. By contrast, the researchers claim in their paper that Summit, the world's best supercomputer, would take 10,000 years to complete the task.
However, IBM, which has been working on quantum computers of its own, questioned some of Google's figures.
"We argue that an ideal simulation of the same task can be performed on a classical system in 2.5 days and with far greater fidelity," IBM researchers Edwin Pednault, John Gunnels, and Jay Gambetta said in a blog post.
"This is in fact a conservative, worst-case estimate, and we expect that with additional refinements the classical cost of the simulation can be further reduced."
They also queried Google's definition of quantum supremacy and said it had the potential to mislead.
"First because... by its strictest definition the goal has not been met. But more fundamentally, because quantum computers will never reign 'supreme' over classical computers, but will rather work in concert with them, since each have their unique strengths."
Latest Stories
-
We are committed to a ‘Green Ghana’ – Prudential Bank MD
3 minutes -
Nungua Town XI defeats Ghana Internationals in Kplejoo Pre-Festival Match
1 hour -
Osu Castle hosts diplomatic showcase of wellness as Ghana, India unites for International Day of Yoga
2 hours -
U.S. and Israeli Strikes on Iran: A Racist, Colonialist Assault on Sovereignty
2 hours -
Prof Gyampo clarifies interaction with Special Prosecutor over raid on SMS offices
3 hours -
Prof Gyampo called and texted OSP during raid on SML – OSP claims
3 hours -
Nigeria sprinter Favour Ofili switches allegiance to Turkey
3 hours -
Ahwoi and Bartels-Kodwo families open residence to mourners following passing of Ama Adoma Bartels-Kodwo
3 hours -
Mpox Outbreak: Western Regional Health Directorate springs into action
4 hours -
OSP rebuts Gyampo’s ‘vendetta’ allegation over investigation into Ofori-Atta
4 hours -
Ukraine still holds ground inside Russia’s Kursk, commander says
5 hours -
Nkwanta South MCE pays courtesy call on national Chief Imam, seeks prayers for peace
5 hours -
Kwasi Sibo helps power Real Oviedo to LaLiga promotion after 24-year wait
6 hours -
Broadcast and Build: How 2 of Ghana’s leading media giants are driving a bold socio-economic reset through strategic trade fairs
6 hours -
Actress Kalsoume Sinare named Ghana’s ambassador to Spain
7 hours