IBM (IBM.US) Quantum Computing Reaches Key Milestone: Successfully Connects and Cools Two Cryogenic Modules, Aiming to Launch the World's First Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computer by 2029

According to reports from Zhihu Finance APP, IBM (IBM.US) announced on Wednesday that it has successfully connected and cooled two cryogenic modules within the same operating environment, and completed initial tests. The company stated that this modular architecture is designed to scale into an ultra-low-temperature shared system capable of connecting hundreds of quantum chips, marking a key step toward the launch of IBM Quantum Starling in 2029. IBM expects that Quantum Starling will become the world’s first fault-tolerant quantum computer, integrating advances in error correction, processor design, decoding, and system engineering.

IBM indicated that the first two operating modules together exceed 8 feet in height and 8 feet in width. Initial testing shows that these two modules can be cooled together to 4 Kelvin, the temperature of liquid helium, within less than five days, and soon after reach a final temperature below 15 millikelvin.

Compared to the currently most widely used IBM quantum systems, each module’s vacuum enclosure provides up to 12 times more wiring space. IBM noted that this supports more chip-to-chip connections both inside and between modules, providing a hardware foundation for larger-scale quantum computing.

New Architecture and L-coupler Interconnection Technology

This time, IBM’s new box-type design allows modules to be closely arranged and, utilizing greater wiring space, directly connects quantum processors via IBM’s “L-coupler” technology. The L-coupler is used to connect different quantum chips, enabling them to share information, communicate with each other, and function collaboratively as part of a larger quantum computer.

According to the IBM quantum roadmap, the company plans to use the L-coupler to connect multiple processors into a larger quantum computer with at least 1,000 programmable qubits by 2027. Programmable qubits refer to qubits that can be directly used to perform computations. To achieve this goal, IBM plans to install the IBM Quantum Nighthawk processor into the cryogenic modules later this year to expand performance testing. By the time Quantum Starling is delivered, IBM plans for each cryogenic module to house several thousand qubits.

Last year, IBM announced the Starling project and introduced a new error correction code that significantly reduces the physical resources needed to achieve fault tolerance. Since then, the company has showcased core hardware components and achieved breakthroughs in efficient error correction decoding.

Jay Gambetta, Director of IBM Research and IBM Fellow, said: “Bringing fault-tolerant quantum computing to all industries depends on multiple fundamental advancements. The successful connection and operation of these cryogenic modules marks an important step in this direction, and, combined with ongoing innovation in quantum hardware, software, and algorithms, will further accelerate our progress.”

IBM also stated that the new scalable cryogenic modules are expected to accelerate the pace of innovation. For example, three key components of the IBM Quantum System Two environment are already integrated into the new architecture, but the new design allows each part to be tested, improved, and iterated independently and rapidly.

In the market, IBM shares closed up about 2% on Wednesday. The company believes that the delivery of these cryogenic quantum modules further proves it is systematically advancing along its quantum roadmap and has overcome another major obstacle on the path toward accelerated fault-tolerant quantum computing.