Quantum Processor 128‑qubits: The Next Leap in Quantum Computing
Published: 24 Aug 2025 | Source: Gen Science Desk
The world’s first commercial 128‑qubit quantum processor has been announced by QuantumX, a joint venture between the University of Oxford’s Quantum Technologies Centre and the UK government. This milestone opens a new chapter in the race for quantum advantage, offering unprecedented computational power for a range of applications.
Key Technical Highlights
- Qubit Count: 128 superconducting transmon qubits arranged in a 16×8 lattice.
- Coherence Time: Average T1 of 65 µs and T2 of 80 µs at 20 mK.
- Gate Fidelity: Two‑qubit gate fidelity > 99.2 % using cross‑resonance pulses.
- Connectivity: 4‑nearest‑neighbour topology with tunable couplers enabling full‑graph connectivity in <5 ns.
- Error‑Correction: Implementation of surface‑code logical qubits (128 physical → 4 logical). Demonstrated logical error rate < 1 × 10⁻⁵ per cycle.
- Operating Temperature: 10 mK in a custom dilution refrigerator.
- Software Stack: Open‑source Qiskit extension, QX SDK, and cloud API for QPU access via HTTPS.
Industry Impact
Early tests suggest significant speed‑ups in:
- Drug discovery (protein folding simulations)
- Optimisation (linear programming, logistics)
- Cryptanalysis (Shor’s algorithm for 256‑bit RSA in <3 hours)
- Machine learning (training of quantum‑enhanced models)
- Materials science (ab‑initio quantum simulations)
Expert Opinions
"The 128‑qubit processor is a game‑changer. We’re finally crossing the threshold where quantum error correction starts to produce usable logical qubits, bringing us closer to practical quantum advantage." – Dr. Aisha Patel, Professor of Quantum Computing, Oxford.
"With this processor, we can explore quantum chemistry problems that were previously intractable. It’s the first real tool for industrial quantum research." – Jiang Liu, Chief Scientist, QuantumX.
Future Roadmap
- Scale to 256 qubits by Q2 2026
- Integrate photonic interconnects for modular scaling
- Launch commercial cloud access (QuantumX‑Cloud) in Q3 2025
- Partner with pharma and logistics firms for pilot projects