IBM Unveils 400 Qubit-Plus Quantum Processor

IBM on Wednesday announced its new 433 qubit ‘Osprey’ processor. This is IBM’s most powerful quantum computer to date. 

Osprey was unveiled at the IBM Quantum Summit 2022. It has the largest qubit count of any IBM quantum processor, more than tripling the 127 qubits on the IBM Eagle processor unveiled in 2021.

The quantum processor has the potential to run complex quantum computations well beyond the computational capability of any classical computer. For reference, the number of classical bits that would be necessary to represent a state on the IBM Osprey processor far exceeds the total number of atoms in the known universe. 

In a statement, Dr Darío Gil, Senior Vice President, IBM and Director of Research said, “The new 433 qubit ‘Osprey’ processor brings us a step closer to the point where quantum computers will be used to tackle previously unsolvable problems.” 

Eventually, quantum computers are expected to be millions of times faster than the fastest computers in use today.

“We are continuously scaling up and advancing our quantum technology across hardware, software and classical integration to meet the biggest challenges of our time, in conjunction with our partners and clients worldwide. This work will prove foundational for the coming era of quantum-centric supercomputing,” he added.