Views and Perspectives: Breakthrough in quantum error correction

By using a superconducting processor, Google quantum AI group demonstrates that a logic qubit realized by surface code of quantum error correction performs better when the number of physical qubits increases. The experiment realized two surface codes to encode logic qubits for scaling, with multiple cycles of quantum error correcting assisted by ancillary qubits. This result can be considered as an important step toward fault-tolerant quantum computers. Here in this views and perspectives, we will introduce briefly the mechanism of quantum error correction. As an example, Shor’s nine-qubit error correction code will be explained. Then, the new experiments of Google quantum AI group will be introduced to show its significance for scaling. The advances of other quantum error correction experiments will be also reviewed . Finally, the development of quantum computers will be discussed.