Introduction of Willow: In December 2024, Google unveiled Willow, a state-of-the-art quantum computing chip designed to advance the development of large-scale, error-corrected quantum computers. ​
Error Correction Breakthrough: Willow demonstrated a significant achievement in quantum error correction by showing that increasing the number of qubits leads to an exponential reduction in errors, addressing a longstanding challenge in the field. ​
Computational Performance: The processor completed a complex computation in under five minutes—a task that would take the world’s fastest supercomputers an estimated 10 septillion years—highlighting its extraordinary processing capabilities. ​
Technical Specifications: Willow is constructed with a 7×7 lattice of superconducting transmon qubits, totaling 105 qubits, and features improved coherence times and connectivity over its predecessors. ​
Implications for Quantum Computing: Willow’s advancements suggest that practical, large-scale quantum computers capable of solving real-world problems in areas like drug discovery and material science are becoming increasingly feasible. ​