China Quantum Computing Prototype “Nine Chapters Four” Can Manipulate 3,050 Quantum States

Xinhua News Agency reported that the University of Science and Technology of China, together with multiple institutions, has successfully developed the 1024-quantum-compressed-state input and 8,176-mode programmable quantum computing prototype machine, “Jiuzhang Four.” It achieved the first manipulation and detection of quantum states involving up to 3,050 photons, further setting a world record in photonic quantum information technology: solving the “Gaussian Boson Sampling” problem is 10^54 times faster than the current world’s fastest supercomputer.

To solve the Gaussian Boson Sampling task, which is similar to calculating the probability distribution of countless particles after passing through complex paths, is extremely challenging for ordinary computers.

The scale of controlling thousands of photons brings an exponential increase in computing power. When performing the Gaussian Boson Sampling task, “Jiuzhang Four” generates a sample in just 25 microseconds, whereas using the world’s most powerful supercomputer and the best classical algorithms would require more than 10^42 years, resulting in a quantum advantage on the order of 10^54 times.

The internationally renowned academic journal Nature published these results on Wednesday.