Amazon Web Services (AWS) has unveiled Ocelot, a new quantum computing chip that reduces the costs of implementing quantum error correction by up to 90% compared to current methods. Developed at the AWS Center for Quantum Computing at the California Institute of Technology, Ocelot integrates error correction using ‘cat qubits,’ which suppress certain errors and lower resource requirements. This breakthrough could accelerate the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers capable of solving complex problems beyond the reach of conventional computers. Ocelot’s architecture could reduce costs to one-fifth of current approaches, potentially advancing the timeline for practical quantum computing by up to five years, according to AWS director of Quantum Hardware, Oskar Painter. The research has been published in Nature, with further technical details available on the Amazon Science website. Quantum computers are highly sensitive to environmental noise, making error correction critical. Current methods are resource-intensive, but Ocelot’s design addresses this by incorporating error correction from the ground up. AWS estimates that scaling Ocelot to a fully functional quantum computer would require only one-tenth of the resources of standard approaches. While Ocelot is still a prototype, AWS plans to continue refining its quantum computing efforts. Customers can explore quantum computing through Amazon Braket, a managed service offering access to quantum hardware and simulators. — news from About Amazon
