China, US push quantum race forward with major chip advances in one day

China has taken a significant step forward in the global race for quantum computing supremacy. Researchers at Peking University have successfully demonstrated large-scale quantum entanglement on an optical chip, marking a crucial milestone in quantum technology.

Their study used light to generate and control a network of interconnected quantum states on a tiny chip. This achievement opens the door to a future quantum-based internet where information can be shared securely and efficiently.

One reviewer of the study called the breakthrough “an important milestone for scalable quantum information.” Similar experiments have been attempted in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, but the Chinese team is the first to achieve large-scale entanglement on an optical chip, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.

Unlike traditional quantum computing approaches that rely on superconducting materials requiring extremely low temperatures, the Chinese chip operates at room temperature using photonic technology. This feature could give it an edge in practical applications, making quantum computing more accessible and energy-efficient.

Microsoft’s topological qubits: A different approach

While China advances photonic quantum computing, Microsoft has focused on a different approach. As Interesting Engineering reported earlier, the company announced that its Majorana 1 chip could store up to a million qubits using topological qubits, which are designed to be more stable and resistant to errors.

Microsoft described its work as “a breakthrough in quantum computing” and claimed the technology could help solve complex problems in medicine and materials science. “Harnessing millions of potential qubits working together to solve the unsolvable – from new medicines to revolutionary materials – all on a single chip,” the company wrote in a social media post.

Despite the excitement, some scientists are skeptical. A few experts believe Microsoft might have published its findings too soon. One reviewer criticized the paper for “misleading and ambiguous wording,” saying that it combined theoretical predictions, device designs, and experimental results in a way that wasn’t entirely clear, as reported by SCMP.

Still, other scientists see the work as a step forward. One expert responded, “I do not agree with the referee that this is not solid progress. I still find it amazing that this was actually possible.”

Quantum race heats up

The competition in quantum computing is intensifying worldwide. In December, Google announced a breakthrough with its Willow quantum chip. The 105-qubit processor completed a complex computation in less than five minutes—a task that would take the fastest supercomputers an estimated 10 septillion years.

China’s achievement in large-scale entanglement and Microsoft’s push for topological qubits highlight the diverse approaches in quantum research. While Microsoft relies on superconducting materials requiring ultra-cold temperatures, China’s photonic chip operates at room temperature, offering a practical alternative.

Both projects reflect the ongoing global effort to make quantum computing a reality. With different paths being explored, the race for quantum supremacy remains unpredictable, and the next big breakthrough could come from anywhere.

Both studies were published in the journal Nature on the same day.

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