Technology giant IBM (IBM) recently announced a major quantum computing breakthrough after researchers successfully connected two quantum processors and transferred information between them with 99% accuracy on average. The experiment used four special connections to link two 120-qubit processors, which was an important step toward building larger quantum computers that can perform more difficult calculations.
The breakthrough addresses one of the biggest challenges in quantum computing. Today’s quantum chips can only handle a limited number of qubits, which are the basic units of information used by quantum computers. As researchers try to build more powerful systems, putting more qubits on a single chip becomes increasingly difficult. IBM believes that connecting multiple chips could provide a better solution.
To test this approach, researchers connected two of the company’s Nighthawk processors using four special cables called L-couplers. Each cable was 80 centimeters long and operated inside an extremely cold environment.
The results showed that quantum information could move between processors with an average success rate of 99%, with the best connection reaching 99.3%.
Why IBM’s Breakthrough Matters for Future Quantum Computers
Connecting quantum processors is important because qubits are extremely sensitive to errors. These errors can make calculations unreliable, especially when computers perform many operations. IBM’s new connections could eventually allow multiple processors to work together on larger calculations while helping the system detect and correct mistakes.
However, the experiment also showed that more work is needed. When researchers tested an operation involving qubits on different processors, accuracy averaged 94.75%. The experiment also used only a portion of the qubits available on the two chips, so IBM has not yet achieved a fully operational system that combines all 240 qubits.
Still, the research supports IBM’s plan to introduce Quantum Starling in 2029. That system is expected to use 200 error-corrected logical qubits and perform calculations involving up to 100 million quantum operations.
Is IBM Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Moderate Buy consensus rating on IBM stock based on 11 Buys and seven Holds assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. Furthermore, the average IBM price target of $266.94 per share implies 6.2% upside potential. (See IBM Stock Forecast).
