News in Brief Quantum Physics

Google moves toward quantum supremacy with 72-qubit computer

IBM and Intel recently debuted similarly sized chips

72-cubit chip

QUANTUM UPGRADE  Google’s 72-qubit quantum chip (shown) could become the first to perform a calculation impossible for traditional computers.

Erik Lucero

By Emily Conover

- More than 2 years ago

LOS ANGELES — Quantum computers are bulking up.

Researchers from Google are testing a quantum computer with 72 quantum bits, or qubits, scientists reported March 5 at a meeting of the American Physical Society — a big step up from the company’s previous nine-qubit chip.