IBM's large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computing development capabilities recognized, advancing to the next stage of the U.S. Department of Defense research program.

IBM's large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computing development capabilities recognized, advancing to the next stage of the U.S. Department of Defense research program.

On Friday, November 7th, Eastern Time, IBM announced that it has been selected for Phase B of the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) under DARPA, the U.S. Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. This marks a key validation of the company’s path toward building large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computers.

QBI, the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, was launched by DARPA in 2024 to rigorously evaluate—via independent third-party verification—whether it is possible to build industrial-grade fault-tolerant quantum computers whose computational value exceeds their cost by 2033.

IBM had already been chosen for Phase A of this program in April this year. As of November 6, DARPA announced that 11 companies, including IBM, have entered Phase B, utilizing various technological approaches ranging from superconducting qubits to neutral atoms.

Jay Gambetta, Director of IBM Research, said: “IBM advancing to Phase B of DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative is a strong endorsement of our approach to delivering large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computers.”

As part of the QBI program, IBM also announced on Friday a technical partnership with quantum computing startup SEEQC to study new methods of scaling quantum computer control systems.

SEEQC states that the new collaboration will explore integrating SEEQC’s Single Flux Quantum (SFQ) chip control layer technology with IBM’s cutting-edge quantum system architecture. SEEQC envisions leveraging its SFQ technology to transfer some components onto system-on-chip (SoC) platforms, reducing and integrating external classical control hardware racks to operate adjacent to quantum chips within ultra-cold dilution refrigerators.

While SEEQC explores how SFQ control chips can improve quantum system performance and reduce unsystematic energy consumption, IBM will continue to advance its quantum development roadmap, including research and development of large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computers.

Jay Gambetta, Head of IBM Quantum Research, said IBM aims to launch a fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029. Controlling and scaling quantum systems of such magnitude is a challenging engineering problem with many unsolved research questions. We are excited to collaborate with SEEQC to jointly research these issues and accelerate progress toward our 2029 goal.

Three-Stage Verification System & Multiple Technical Approaches Compete

The Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) consists of three progressive phases. The six-month Phase A requires participants to present an initial technical concept for a utility-scale quantum computer with a reasonable near-term path to realization.

The current Phase B lasts one year, requiring participants to submit comprehensive research and development plans, including risk identification, mitigation strategies, and necessary prototypes to reduce risks.

The final Phase C involves DARPA’s independent verification and assessment team testing the companies' computer hardware to determine whether their utility-grade quantum computer concepts can be constructed as designed and function as intended.

As an independent R&D arm of the U.S. Department of Defense, DARPA focuses on identifying and supporting technologies transformative for national security. QBI adds value to quantum computing development by offering impartial third-party validation of participants’ R&D and communicating results to other U.S. government stakeholders.

The 11 companies selected for Phase B are spread across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia and utilize diverse qubit technologies. In addition to IBM’s modular superconducting processors, others include IonQ and Quantinuum’s ion trap technology, Atom Computing and QuEra Computing’s neutral atom technology, as well as Xanadu’s photonic quantum computing.

DARPA emphasizes QBI is not an elimination-style competition but an independent evaluation of each company's technical strengths. A major challenge in assessment is the diversity of quantum computing technological pathways, unlike classical computing which has established dominant architectures. Ultimately, multiple, single, or possibly no participants may be able to demonstrate a workable path to industrial-grade quantum computers within the next eight years.

DARPA expects more teams to enter each phase in the future. Currently, companies progress at different times, leading to overlapping advancement between the three phases. The agency will announce future advancement decisions once contracts with new teams are formalized.

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