IBM Launches Most Powerful Quantum Chip Yet, Eyes Fault-Tolerant Computer By 2029

• Nighthawk’s improved architecture allows circuits to run with 30% greater complexity than previous models.
• IBM underscored its plan to reach quantum advantage by 2026 and build a fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029.
• Loon integrates advanced on-chip connections, enabling longer-range communication between qubits.

IBM Corp. (IBM)  introduced its latest processor, the IBM Quantum Nighthawk, on Wednesday, designed to execute more complex quantum circuits while maintaining precision and stability.

The company also launched IBM Quantum Loon, an experimental chip demonstrating every key element necessary for fault-tolerant quantum computing. 

Following the announcement, IBM stock traded over 2% higher in Wednesday’s premarket. However, on Stocktwits, retail sentiment around the stock remained in ‘bearish’ territory. Message volume shifted to ‘low’ from ‘extremely low’ levels in 24 hours. 

Building The Next Generation Of Quantum Systems

IBM underscored its plan to achieve quantum advantage by 2026 and build a fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029, boosted by these developments. 

Nighthawk is IBM’s most powerful quantum chip to date, boasting 120 qubits connected by 218 tunable couplers. The processor’s improved architecture allows circuits to run with 30% greater complexity than previous models. IBM expects to deliver the chip to users by the end of 2025, marking a shift toward solving real-world problems beyond the reach of classical computers.

The company projected that by 2028, systems built on the Nighthawk design could execute up to 15,000 two-qubit gates, core operations that drive quantum calculations.

Steps Toward Fault-Tolerant Computing

The company achieved a tenfold speed increase in quantum error decoding, one year ahead of schedule, using qLDPC codes. Loon integrates advanced on-chip connections, enabling longer-range communication between qubits and more efficient error correction.

IBM’s quantum processors are now produced at the Albany NanoTech Complex in New York, using a 300mm wafer fabrication process. This transition has doubled IBM’s R&D speed, allowing it to test multiple chip designs in parallel while increasing qubit density and physical complexity tenfold.

IBM stock has gained over 48% in the last 12 months.

Also See: Fed’s Michael Barr Says AI Has Potential To Raise Output Without Stoking Long-term Inflation But Warns About Perils Of Excessive Capex

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