· quantum computing · 2 min read

Intel announces Tunnel Falls, its first quantum chip, featuring 12 qubits that use electrons to store data, available to select academic and research partners

Intel has built a quantum processor called Tunnel Falls that it will offer to research labs hoping to make the revolutionary computing technology practical. The Tunnel Falls processor, announced Thursday, houses 12 of the fundamental data processing elements called qubits. It's a major step in the chipmaker's attempt to develop quantum computing hardware it hopes will eventually surpass rivals. Intel, unlike most of its rivals, makes its qubits from individual electrons housed in computer chips that are cousins to those that power millions of PCs. The company is lagging behind. Rivals like IBM, Google, Quantinuum and IonQ have been offering quantum computers for years, but Intel believes tying its fortunes to conventional chip technology will ultimately enable faster progress.

This article provides an overview of Intel's quantum computing efforts and how they compare with those of other companies. It also explains some of the basic concepts and challenges of quantum computing and its possible applications.

Intel, a leading chipmaker, has developed a quantum processor called Tunnel Falls that houses 12 qubits, the fundamental units of quantum computing. Intel’s qubits are made from electrons stored in computer chips, which are faster, more flexible, and more scalable than other approaches. Intel hopes to use its manufacturing expertise to build many quantum chips and improve their performance and error correction. Intel faces competition from other quantum computing companies, such as IBM, Google, IonQ, and Quantinuum, who use different technologies, such as superconducting circuits, charged atoms, and photons, to create qubits. Quantum computing has the potential to solve problems that are beyond the reach of conventional computers, such as simulating materials physics, designing better drugs, and cracking encrypted communications. However, quantum computing is still in its early stages and faces many challenges, such as scaling up, reducing errors, and finding the best solutions for the quantum physics.

Key takeaways

  • Intel has built a 12-qubit quantum processor called Tunnel Falls that it will offer to research labs.
  • Intel uses spin qubits, which are based on individual electrons in silicon chips, and believes this approach will enable faster progress and scalability.
  • Intel faces competition from other quantum computing companies that use different types of qubits, such as superconducting circuits, trapped ions or photons.
  • Quantum computing has the potential to solve problems that are intractable for conventional computers, such as optimization, simulation, cryptography and artificial intelligence.
  • Quantum computing is still in its infancy and requires significant advances in error correction, interconnectivity, software and hardware to achieve its full promise.

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