China’s Zuchongzhi-3 Quantum Computer Outpaces Google by One Million Times
Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) have unveiled Zuchongzhi-3, a 105-qubit quantum computing prototype that significantly surpasses Google’s latest quantum computing results. The machine operates one million times faster than Google's quantum processor, marking a major breakthrough in the field.
Zuchongzhi-3 Achieves Unprecedented Speed
The USTC team, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other partners, developed Zuchongzhi-3 with 105 qubits and 182 couplers. The quantum processor performs calculations 10¹⁵ times faster than the most powerful supercomputer available today.
The study, led by Jianwei Pan, Xiaobo Zhu, and Chengzhi Peng, was published as a cover article in Physical Review Letters. The research builds on the success of Zuchongzhi-2, further advancing China’s position in quantum computing.
The Race for Quantum Supremacy
Quantum supremacy refers to a quantum computer’s ability to perform tasks beyond the reach of classical computers. In 2019, Google’s 53-qubit Sycamore processor completed a random circuit sampling task in 200 seconds, a process estimated to take 10,000 years on the fastest supercomputer at the time.
However, in 2023, USTC researchers demonstrated that advanced classical algorithms could complete the same task in 14 seconds using over 1,400 A100 GPUs. The Frontier supercomputer later reduced this time to 1.6 seconds, challenging Google’s claim of quantum supremacy.
Milestones in Quantum Computing
USTC has consistently pushed the boundaries of quantum computing. In 2020, the team achieved the first rigorously proven quantum supremacy with the Jiuzhang photonic quantum computing prototype. This was followed by a superconducting demonstration using Zuchongzhi-2 in 2021.
In 2023, the 255-photon Jiuzhang-3 demonstrated quantum supremacy, surpassing classical supercomputers by 10¹⁶ orders of magnitude. In October 2024, Google’s 67-qubit Sycamore processor achieved quantum supremacy by outperforming classical supercomputers by nine orders of magnitude.
Zuchongzhi-3’s Advanced Capabilities
Zuchongzhi-3 builds upon the 66-qubit Zuchongzhi-2, with significant improvements in performance. The quantum processor features a coherence time of 72 microseconds, a simultaneous single-qubit gate fidelity of 99.90%, a simultaneous two-qubit gate fidelity of 99.62%, and a simultaneous readout fidelity of 99.13%.
To test its capabilities, the team conducted an 83-qubit, 32-layer random circuit sampling task. The results showed that Zuchongzhi-3 outperformed the world’s most powerful supercomputer by 15 orders of magnitude and exceeded Google’s latest quantum computing results by six orders of magnitude.
Future Research and Global Recognition
Following this achievement, the USTC team is advancing research in quantum error correction, quantum entanglement, quantum simulation, and quantum chemistry. They have implemented a two-dimensional grid qubit architecture to improve qubit interconnectivity and data transfer rates.
The researchers are also developing quantum error correction using a distance-7 surface code, with plans to extend this to distances of 9 and 11. These efforts aim to enable large-scale quantum bit integration and manipulation.
The study has received widespread recognition. A journal reviewer described it as “benchmarking a new superconducting quantum computer, which shows state-of-the-art performance” and a “significant upgrade from the previous 66-qubit device (Zuchongzhi-2).” Physics Magazine also featured a dedicated viewpoint article highlighting the study’s innovations and significance.
USTC’s Zuchongzhi-3 quantum computer operates one million times faster than Google’s latest quantum computing results.
The 105-qubit machine performs calculations 10¹⁵ times faster than the most powerful supercomputer.
USTC researchers have consistently advanced quantum supremacy, with milestones including Jiuzhang-3 and Zuchongzhi-2.
Source: SciTechDaily