July Updates in Quantum Computing Technology

The last two days have seen two extremely interesting breakthroughs announced in quantum computing. There is a long path ahead, but these both point to the potential for dramatically upscaling ambitions for what's possible in relatively short timeframes. The most prominent advance was Microsoft's announcement of Majorana 1, a chip powered by "topological qubits" using a new material. This enables hardware-protected qubits that are more stable and fault-tolerant. The chip currently contains 8 topologic qubits, but it is designed to house one million. This is many orders of dimension larger than current systems. DARPA has selected the system for its utility-scale quantum computing program. Microsoft believes they can create a fault-tolerant quantum computer prototype in years. The other breakthrough is extraordinary: quantum gate teleportation, linking two quantum processes using quantum teleportation. Instead of packing millions of qubits into a single machine—which is exceptionally challenging—this approach allows smaller quantum devices to be connected via optical fibers, working together as one system. Oxford University researchers proved that distributed quantum computing can perform powerful calculations more efficiently than classical systems. This could not only create a pathway to workable quantum computers, but also a quantum internet, enabling ultra-secure communication and advanced computational capabilities. It certainly seems that the pace of scientific progress is increasing. Some of the applications - such as in quantum computing - could have massive implications, including in turn accelerating science across domains.

🔐 A cryptography wake-up call! Last week brought a reality check for quantum computing timelines. Two research groups announced advances that could enable machines capable of breaking RSA and elliptic curve cryptography much sooner than expected. Google Quantum AI announced updated resource estimates for breaking 256-bit elliptic curve cryptography, the backbone of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and much of modern blockchain security. Their new circuits require fewer than 500,000 physical qubits on superconducting architectures, offering roughly a 20x improvement over previous estimates. Impressively, the team estimates a superconducting computer could derive a private key in under 9 minutes, fast enough to intercept a Bitcoin transaction before it's recorded on-chain. Separately, researchers from Oratomic and Caltech showed that Shor's algorithm could run at cryptographically relevant scales with as few as 10,000 reconfigurable neutral-atom qubits, two orders of magnitude below earlier estimates for such platforms. At ~26,000 qubits, they project 256-bit elliptic curve cryptography could be broken in about 10 days. Neither paper claims a cryptographically relevant quantum computer exists today, and both acknowledge that significant engineering challenges persist. Nonetheless, both advances signify genuine algorithmic and architectural progress beyond small, incremental updates. What I find most notable is the convergence of better error-correcting codes, more efficient logical operations, and optimized circuit design, each improving simultaneously. As a result, resource requirements for cryptographic relevance continue to shrink. This phenomenon should serve as a call to action for the post-quantum cryptography transition. I am curious to hear from others in the community: What is your read on the current quantum cryptographic timeline and where do you see the biggest bottlenecks in a full PQC transition? Google Oratomic #Physics #Cryptography #Quantum #QuantumComputing #Science

Last week, three papers rewrote the math on breaking encryption. This week, Q-CTRL showed that the algorithm isn't even the only thing getting more efficient — the way you organize the hardware matters just as much. Their new paper cuts RSA-2048 to 190,000–381,000 physical qubits. Not by inventing a new algorithm. Not by using exotic error correction codes. Just by separating processing from storage — the same architectural principle that classical computing figured out sixty years ago. This means there are now three independent levers compressing CRQC resource requirements: algorithms, QEC codes, and architecture. They multiply, not add. The trajectory: 20 million qubits (2021) → ~1 million (2025) → potentially under 100,000 combining all three (2026). That last number overlaps with industry roadmaps. Meanwhile: Cloudflare matched Google's 2029 PQC migration deadline, explicitly because last month's papers scared them. QuiX gave photonics its first score on the fault-tolerance board. I published a 10-article Deep Dive arguing China may win the quantum race. The PQC Migration Framework hit 10,000 downloads. And the Ghost Murmur story violated the Heisenberg limit and basic journalism standards in equal measure. Full newsletter covers all of it. #PQC #Quantum #PostQuantum #QuantumComputing #QuantumSecurity #QuantumReadiness

☕ Freshly Brewed Quantum News from The Daily Qubit x The Quantum Insider ⚆ IQM Quantum Computers will deliver a 24-qubit superconducting quantum computer with a star-shaped topology to the LUMI-Q consortium, integrating it into Europe's supercomputing infrastructure ⚆ Quandela and attocube systems AG will provide the 12-qubit Lucy quantum computer, using single-photon architecture to support hybrid quantum-classical computing in Europe ⚆ Researchers from the National University of Singapore, A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research, and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) demonstrated transmission of entangled photon pairs over 155 km of metropolitan fiber using a silicon nanophotonic chip ⚆ Scientists from the Center for Integrated Quantum Information Technologies, Kipu Quantum, and TuringQ introduced a counterdiabatic quantum optimization algorithm on a photonic processor, improving efficiency in solving optimization tasks ⚆ IBM has expanded its Quantum Data Center in Poughkeepsie, New York, making it the largest hub for utility-scale quantum computers, now powered by IBM’s Heron processors ⚆ Terra Quantum AG and Unilever have announced a collaboration to analyze complex skin microbiome data using Terra Quantum’s quantum machine learning toolset, TQml ⚆ NetSfere announced a crypto-agile platform integrating post-quantum cryptography to safeguard communications against future quantum threats ⚆ Quside’s quantum randomness technology is being combined with PQShield’s post-quantum cryptography to provide seamless quantum-safe security solutions ⚆ Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced the state's support for EeroQ Quantum Hardware ’s quantum computing headquarters in Chicago, marking the first time a quantum company in Illinois has received state funding; EeroQ will invest $1.1 million towards expanding its operations ⚆ QuantWare launched Crescendo-E, a traveling wave parametric amplifier tailored for enterprise customers. It enhances qubit readout and supports large-scale quantum system deployments ⚆ On the most recent episode of the Quantum Podcast with Jay Shah, Classiq Technologies co-founder and CEO, Nir Minerbi, discusses quantum computing software, quantum machine learning, hybrid workflows, and tips for breaking into quantum software development ⚆ A recent study highlights how quantum computing could optimize clinical trials by improving site selection, cohort identification, and drug efficacy predictions Don't miss a single qubit. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gNMRG8JD #quantumcomputing #quantumtechnology #innovation #quantumscience #quantumphysics

The second edition of the IBM Quantum quarterly roundup is here, providing a quick and convenient overview of top new quantum capabilities, research, and resources delivered by IBM and its partners over the past few months. Take a look: https://lnkd.in/eAMx86Sc Highlights include: 1. The new quantum + HPC workflow demo powered by Qiskit’s C API (https://lnkd.in/eTC28d-N), which walks you through the process of building an SQD workflow entirely in C++. The ability to build end-to-end quantum + classical HPC workflows in the compiled languages that are ubiquitous in HPC data centers is a crucial step towards fully realized quantum-centric supercomputing architectures and the first demonstrations of quantum advantage. 2. The release of Qiskit SDK v2.2, which introduces several exciting features and performance improvements, including a new transpiler function for Qiskit’s C API that has played a key role in enabling the quantum + HPC workflow demo described above. 3. The roll out of `ibm_pittsburgh`, our Heron Revision 3 beta QPU. `ibm_pittsburgh` has already demonstrated our best Heron coherence and fidelity metrics to date, and currently holds the IBM record for largest quantum volume. 4. Additional open-source tools for quantum-centric supercomputing, such as the new quantum plugins for Slurm workload manager (https://lnkd.in/ecn_nhrU) and Prefect workflow manager (https://lnkd.in/ewRZpchB). 5. Reminders about valuable new community resources like our recently refreshed Qiskit v2.X developer certification exam (https://lnkd.in/ePpxXsx9) and IBM Quantum Credits Program (https://lnkd.in/ekGsqzwi), which rewards high-quality research proposals with free access to IBM Quantum computers. …and much, much more. Be sure to check out the full quarterly update linked above, and get started exploring these new tools and resources today.

13,000× faster & the uncomputable becomes real. This week, Nature published Google’s latest breakthrough in quantum computing. The Willow quantum processor solved a complex molecular simulation in hours, a task that would take even the world’s fastest supercomputers years. The algorithm behind it, called Quantum Echoes, sends waves back through time to make hidden structures visible. In essence, the algorithm computes molecular systems 13,000 times faster than classical hardware, a milestone that shows, for the first time, a practical quantum advantage that is verifiable, reproducible, and scientifically confirmed. What makes this moment different from earlier milestones? For the first time, a quantum chip solved a real, physical problem, far beyond mathematical demonstrations. The method applies time-reversal protocols that amplify quantum interferences until clear patterns emerge within apparent chaos. What does a quantum computer truly do? A classical computer tests one path after another. A quantum computer explores many paths at once. It follows the law of superposition, where states exist together until a measurement locks one in place. Computation unfolds like a landscape: multiple doors open at once, rather than one after another. Earlier this year, two additional breakthroughs expanded this frontier. At Caltech, physicists built a 6,100-qubit array, the largest ever created, maintaining coherence for over 13 seconds and proving that scale and precision can rise together. At Microsoft, the Majorana 1 chip introduced a topological core made from a new quantum material, marking a path toward million-qubit systems compact enough to fit in one hand. These advances define 2025 as the year quantum computing becomes real, moving from theoretical promise to technological reality. Why it matters for science and business → Molecules can be simulated with precision, accelerating the design of new medicines. → Materials and batteries evolve faster, with structures optimized for lightness and energy efficiency. → Cryptography, logistics, and optimization gain access to new computational dimensions. → AI systems trained alongside quantum models learn from nature itself, transforming how discovery begins. This marks a quiet transition, from possibility to usefulness. 📚 For those who want to dive deeper, the Nature publications and source studies are listed in the comments. ••• For founders scaling what once felt impossible, more here → https://lnkd.in/esJn-JTk ••• Valuable? Share • Save • Follow Sara Kukovec 🌍🌱🏗️

Last week was a huge milestone for the field of quantum computing. We announced the world’s first-ever verifiable quantum advantage on hardware. For the first time, we have a result that is not only exponentially faster than a classical supercomputer but is also verifiable - meaning it can be checked and confirmed. This is a critical step toward practical, error-corrected quantum computers. Key highlights:  ⏭️  Our Quantum Echoes algorithm on the Willow chip ran 13,000x faster than a top supercomputer.  ⏭️  The result is repeatable and its answer can be confirmed, laying a trusted foundation for real-world applications. This breakthrough, detailed in a new blog post from our Chief Scientist for Quantum Hardware, Michel Devoret, and Director of Quantum processor, Yu Chen, paves the way for new applications in areas like drug discovery and materials science. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e-95zAvX

Google has unveiled its latest quantum computing chip, Willow, marking a significant breakthrough in the field. This new chip features 105 superconducting qubits and demonstrates unprecedented performance across several metrics[8]. Key Achievements 1. Willow can reduce errors exponentially as it scales up using more qubits, addressing a challenge that has persisted in quantum computing for nearly 30 years[2][9]. 2. The chip performed a standard benchmark computation in under five minutes that would take one of today's fastest supercomputers approximately 10 septillion (10^25) years to complete[1][3]. Willow operates using superconducting transmon qubits, which are tiny electrical circuits exhibiting quantum behavior at extremely low temperatures. These circuits are engineered to function like artificial atoms in a quantum state[2]. The chip's qubits demonstrate coherence times nearly five times better than previous designs. This improvement, combined with advanced machine learning algorithms, enables real-time error correction and exponential error suppression as qubit lattices scale from 3x3 to 7x7 grids[8]. Implications While Willow represents a significant step forward in quantum computing, experts caution that practical applications remain years away[8]. However, this advancement paves the way for future developments in areas such as drug discovery, fusion energy, and battery design[2]. Citations: [1] https://lnkd.in/gQMCS3vc [2] https://lnkd.in/gbZfsHBk [3] https://lnkd.in/gGjj4Hhm [4] https://lnkd.in/gxsSRqP5 [5] https://lnkd.in/guXJm6DS [6] https://lnkd.in/giPxf_h4 [7] https://lnkd.in/gGrVP76u [8] https://lnkd.in/gfWyEFFh [9] https://lnkd.in/gcbe4HMU [10] https://lnkd.in/g_xZDv3j [11] https://lnkd.in/gmEJVSAX [12] https://lnkd.in/gzaFGSKt [13] https://lnkd.in/g3Ff3--S [14] https://lnkd.in/gMhmgfRS [15] https://lnkd.in/gnAy5puH [16] https://lnkd.in/gfTGSXH3

BREAKING development in quantum computing announced by Google CEO Sundar Pichai as VC-backed funding for quantum shatters records⬇️   “New breakthrough quantum algorithm published in @Nature today: Our Willow chip has achieved the first-ever verifiable quantum advantage.   Willow ran the algorithm - which we’ve named Quantum Echoes - 13,000x faster than the best classical algorithm on one of the world's fastest supercomputers. This new algorithm can explain interactions between atoms in a molecule using nuclear magnetic resonance, paving a path towards potential future uses in drug discovery and materials science.   And the result is verifiable, meaning its outcome can be repeated by other quantum computers or confirmed by experiments.   This breakthrough is a significant step toward the first real-world application of quantum computing, and we're excited to see where it leads”. Investor enthusiasm is evident in record fundraising levels: quantum computing startups have secured over $3.36 billion in VC funding so far in 2025, up 175% from $1.22 billion in 2024. The geopolitical imperative plays a role here: quantum-based encryption has immense strategic value and implications vis-a-vis the US and China. However, on the commercial front, it is still a "phantom hardware" to quote a colleague of mine. Enterprise adoption is still far away, though incremental progress de-pixelates the opaque future of quantum computing.