QuEra Plans Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computer Libra for 2028 Cloud Launch

QuEra plans to deliver a fault-tolerant quantum computer called Libra and make it available through Amazon Web Services in 2028. The machine will contain between 10,000 and 15,000 physical qubits partitioned into 256 logical qubits, each committing an error only once in a million operations. QuEra projects that Libra will run one million operations, a benchmark the company calls a megaquop.

The company is currently operating five experimental machines to refine components required for Libra. These systems test methods for replacing atoms that become faulty when they warm and for managing the power demands of large numbers of lasers. QuEra’s qubits are made from extremely cold, electrically neutral atoms controlled with lasers.

Yuval Boger stated that having the first fault-tolerant quantum computer will be like breaking the sound barrier. He also said the balance of work has shifted from 90 per cent science and 10 per cent engineering toward a greater share of engineering. Boger added that Libra will be well-suited for complex simulations of systems from physics and materials science.

The largest array of neutral-atom qubits built so far contains 6,100 qubits. The largest number of error-corrected logical qubits demonstrated to date is 48. IBM predicts it will offer fault-tolerant quantum computers starting in 2029.

Boger stated that he would not be surprised if most algorithms that end up being useful have not been discovered yet. QuEra is also working with AWS to integrate Libra into conventional cloud infrastructure and to improve how conventional computers control and monitor the qubits.

Jonathan King at Atom Computing said a fully functional computing system will require integrating many scientific and engineering advances.