The State of Quantum Technologies at the End of 2023

The state of quantum technologies in 2023 reflects substantial progress, diversification in approaches, and a shift toward more practical applications. Key developments and trends in this field include:

1. Quantum Computing Advancements:

   • IBM's Initiatives: IBM continues to advance in superconducting qubits, working on both increasing the number of qubits and enhancing their quality. They introduced the 433-qubit Osprey processor and plan to release a 1,121-qubit processor, Condor, in 2023. IBM is also set to debut its Heron processor, which, despite having fewer qubits (133), emphasizes quality and interconnectivity, marking a shift toward modular quantum computing​​.

   • Modular Quantum Computing: The concept of modular quantum computing, exemplified by IBM’s Heron project, focuses on connecting quantum chips using conventional electronics, with the goal of ultimately creating large-scale, distributed quantum computers. This approach aims to increase the number of connected qubits to a scale necessary for running error-corrected quantum algorithms​​.

   • Quantum Communications: Companies like PsiQuantum and SandboxAQ are exploring quantum communications for coherent transfer of qubits over large distances. This includes the development of quantum-friendly fiber-optic or microwave connections, which are crucial for scaling quantum computing and creating coherent linkages​​​​.

2. Shifting Focus in the Quantum Industry:

   • The industry is moving away from the noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) era, where the focus was on achieving quantum computing with a few hundred qubits despite noise issues. The current trend is towards developing large-scale quantum computers dedicated to error correction​​.

   • Error Correction: Companies like Google Quantum AI, Quantinuum, and IonQ are focusing on assembling qubits into error-correcting ensembles and exploring fault tolerance in quantum computing. This includes novel methods like using some qubits to correct errors in others and characterizing noise to program against it​​​​.

3. Quantum Software Development:

   • There's a growing recognition of the need for more advanced programming tools for quantum computers. Companies like Horizon Quantum Computing and Algorithmiq are developing flexible computation routines and hybrid quantum computing models that combine quantum and classical algorithms. This innovation is seen as essential for the long-term functionality of quantum computing​​​​.

4. Global Competition and Policy Changes:

   • Quantum technology is becoming increasingly international, with competition among countries and companies. There are indications that trade restrictions surrounding quantum technologies may be implemented, which could impact the industry's development​​.

   • International Efforts: Several countries are making significant strides. For example, Baidu in China is advancing in superconducting qubits, and Fujitsu in Japan is set to provide access to a 64-qubit quantum computer. India is investing in photonics technologies for quantum communications and computing, focusing on "qudit" photonics computing, which offers a higher dimensional data encoding scope than traditional qubits​​​​​​.

In 2023 in the quantum technology sector is characterized by concerted efforts towards scalable, error-corrected, and interconnected quantum computing systems, a renewed focus on quantum software development, and increasing international collaboration and competition. This progression signals a maturing field poised for more practical applications and significant breakthroughs.