Researchers in the US have created a new energy-based benchmark for quantum advantage and have used it to show that noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) computers use several orders of magnitude less energy than the world’s most powerful supercomputer when doing a specific task.
As quantum computers become larger and more reliable, the question of whether a quantum computer can perform calculations beyond the reach of even the most powerful conventional supercomputer is becoming increasingly relevant. This ability has been dubbed “quantum advantage” or “quantum supremacy” and it marks the point where quantum computers move from being scientific curiosities to useful devices.
However, measuring quantum advantage is difficult as illustrated by the debate that ensued after Google claimed advantage for its Sycamore NISQ device in September 2019. Google scientists said that Sycamore could solve a specific problem in a mere 200 s, while estimating that a powerful supercomputer would take a whopping 10,000 years to perform the same task. But one month later, physicists at IBM argued this was a gross overestimate and a supercomputer could complete the task in just 2.5 days – essentially negating the claim of advantage.
To read more, click here.