willow-quantum-error

What is this?

🎯 Simulator Tips

📚 Glossary

Willow

Google's 105-qubit quantum processor (2024)

ErrorCorrectionThreshold

Physical error rate below which adding qubits helps

SurfaceCode

2D quantum error correction code

LogicalQubit

Error-protected qubit made from multiple physical qubits

PhysicalQubit

Actual hardware qubit

CodeDistance

Number of errors needed to cause logical error

FaultTolerant

Able to compute despite physical errors

BelowThreshold

Operating at error rates where scaling improves accuracy

Transmon

Type of superconducting qubit used in Willow

Sycamore

Google's previous quantum processor (2019)

🏆 Key Figures

Hartmut Neven

John Martinis

Early Google quantum leadership

Google Quantum AI Team

Developed Willow chip

💬 Message to Learners

{'encouragement': "You're learning about a genuine breakthrough in quantum computing. Willow shows that the theoretical dream of fault-tolerant quantum computing is achievable in practice.", 'reminder': "This is a milestone, not the finish line. Useful quantum computers still require many more advances. But Willow shows we're on the right path.", 'action': 'Build surface codes in the simulator. See how error correction works. Understand why below-threshold operation is so important.', 'dream': 'A quantum engineer from Kenya might contribute to the next generation of quantum processors. A physicist from Nigeria might discover better error correction codes. The quantum future is being built now.', 'wiaVision': "WIA Pin Code believes breakthrough science should inspire everyone. Willow represents humanity pushing the boundaries of what's possible with computation."}