MIT showcases quantum chip communication without physical contact

Why it matters: Quantum computers promise to tackle problems that stump even the most advanced supercomputers. Getting there is a different story, though. One of the biggest hurdles is efficiently connecting multiple quantum processors so they can share information without errors. A new interconnect device by MIT researchers could solve this problem. Current quantum-computing systems rely on clunky "point-to-point" connections, where data is transferred in a chain and has to jump between nodes. Unfortunately, each hop also increases the likelihood of errors. To address this issue, MIT researchers developed a quantum interconnect component that lets superconducting processors talk directly to each other without a "middleman." The device uses microwave photons to shuttle data, and it could finally pave the way for a scalable, error-resistant quantum supercomputer. At the heart of this breakthrough is a superconducting wire (a waveguide), which acts as a quantum highway that lets the p ... Read full article.