Quantum risk Calculator

Gate Infidelity

Infidelity Measures of Gates

Gate infidelity is a critical measure used to assess the precision of quantum operations, reflecting the likelihood of errors during quantum gate execution. In quantum computing, every gate must perform with high accuracy so that computations yield reliable results; even minor losses in fidelity can cascade into significant errors. The theoretical framework encompasses quantum error correction, decoherence analysis, and detailed noise modeling, ensuring that hardware imperfections, environmental disturbances, and intrinsic quantum fluctuations are systematically considered. Advances in both experimental and theoretical domains have driven improvements in gate fidelity, marking incremental progress from early, error-prone implementations to today’s high-performance systems.

As technology evolves, the distinction between physical qubits and logical qubits becomes central to sustaining these improvements. Early quantum systems were limited by their susceptibility to noise, but modern devices leverage sophisticated error mitigation strategies and adaptive control algorithms to optimize performance. Our projections, based on empirical data and guided by concepts like DeVincenzo’s law, suggest that error rates will continue to drop exponentially, with each year demonstrating a dramatic reduction in gate infidelity. The accompanying graph visually represents these trends, while the detailed table collates key data points from pivotal experiments.

This extensive analysis illuminates how relentless innovations in hardware engineering, signal processing, and material science converge to enhance quantum gate reliability. The graph and table not only provide a historical record of progress but also offer insights into future trajectories by highlighting the interplay between overcoming quantum decoherence and exploiting advanced control mechanisms. These findings underscore the transformative potential of quantum technologies and their role in achieving scalable, fault-tolerant computation.

By bridging rigorous theoretical foundations with meticulous experimental observations, this exploration offers a comprehensive roadmap for future innovations. As we push the boundaries of quantum mechanics, the projections serve as a beacon for emerging technologies, illuminating the path toward unprecedented levels of quantum precision.

gate fidelityyearreference
0.93472013Córcoles, A. D. (et al.) process_verf
0.962014Chow (et al.) scalable
0.972015Córcoles, A.D. (et al.) error_detection
0.992016Sheldon (et al.) tuning_up
0.9952017Reynolds google
0.9972018Reynolds google
0.9952019Google Sycamore - Quantum Supremacy google_sycamore
0.999142024MIT mit_2023
0.99922024RIKEN riken_2023
0.9992024IQM iqm_2024
0.99972024Oxford Ionics oxford_ionics_2024
0.99999162024Oxford Ionics oxford_ionics_2024_single
0.9952025Rigetti rigetti_2025
0.9962025Microsoft & Atom Computing microsoft_atom_2025
0.999992025IonQ ionq_2025

References

  1. Córcoles, A. D., et al. “Process Verification of Two-Qubit Quantum Gates by Randomized Benchmarking.” Physical Review A 87.3 030301 (2013). https://www.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.87.030301
  2. Chow, J. M., et al. “Implementing a Atrand of a Scalable Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing Fabric.” Nature Communications 5. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms5015
  3. Reynolds, M. “Google on Track for Quantum Computer Breakthrough by End of 2017.” New Scientist (accessed 2 October 2018). https://www.newscientist.com/article/2138373-google-on-track-for-quantum-computer-breakthrough-by-end-of-2017/
  4. Google Sycamore - Quantum Supremacy (2019). Google achieved 99.5% two-qubit gate fidelity in their Sycamore processor during the quantum supremacy experiment. This milestone demonstr[...] https://scottaaronson.blog/?p=7916
  5. Córcoles, A., et al. “Demonstration of a Quantum Error Detection Code Using a Square Lattice of Four Superconducting Qubits.” Nature Communications 6 6979 (2015). https://www.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms7979
  6. Sheldon, S., Magesan, E., Chow, J.M., Gambetta, J.M. “Procedure for Systematically Tuning Up Cross-Talk in the Cross-Resonance Gate.” Physical Review A 93.6 060302 (2016). https://www.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.93.060302
  7. Ilyas Khan. “Quantinuum extends its significant lead in quantum computing, achieving historic milestones for hardware fidelity and Quantum Volume.” Quantinuum (accessed 22 April). https://www.quantinuum.com/news/quantinuum-extends-its-significant-lead-in-quantum-computing-achieving-historic-milestones-for-hardware-fidelity-and-quantum-volume
  8. MIT. “Single-qubit gate fidelity: MIT achieves 99.998% with fluxonium qubits.” The Quantum Insider (accessed 21 January 2025). https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/01/21/mit-researchers-report-record-setting-quantum-gate-fidelity/
  9. RIKEN. “Two-qubit gate fidelity: RIKEN achieves 99.92% with CZ gates.” ScienceDaily (accessed 21 November 2024). https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241121225906.htm
  10. IQM. “Two-qubit gate fidelity: IQM achieves 99.9% with CZ gates.” The Quantum Insider (accessed 15 July 2024). https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/07/15/iqm-quantum-computers-achieves-technological-milestones-with-99-9-2-qubit-gate-fidelity-and-1-millisecond-coherence-time/
  11. Oxford Ionics. “Two-qubit gate fidelity: Oxford Ionics achieves 99.97% with trapped ions.” Quantum Computing Report (accessed 2024). https://quantumcomputingreport.com/oxford-ionics-sets-new-records-for-qubit-gate-fidelity/
  12. Oxford Ionics. “Single-qubit gate fidelity: Oxford Ionics achieves 99.99916% with trapped ions.” Quantum Computing Report (accessed 2024). https://quantumcomputingreport.com/oxford-ionics-sets-new-records-for-qubit-gate-fidelity/
  13. Rigetti. “Two-qubit gate fidelity: Rigetti achieves 99.5% with fSim gates.” The Quantum Insider (accessed 23 December 2024). https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/12/23/rigetti-computing-reports-84-qubit-ankaa-3-system-achieves-99-5-median-two-qubit-gate-fidelity-milestone/
  14. Microsoft & Atom Computing. “Single-qubit gate fidelity: Microsoft & Atom Computing achieves 99.6% with neutral atoms.” Microsoft Azure Blog (accessed 19 November 2024), https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/quantum/2024/11/19/microsoft-and-atom-computing-offer-a-commercial-quantum-machine-with-the-largest-number-of-entangled-logical-qubits-on-re/
  15. IonQ. “Two-qubit gate fidelity: IonQ plans to achieve 99.999% with barium qubits.” The Quantum Insider (accessed 22 July 2024). https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/07/22/ionq-unveils-2025-roadmap-with-new-technical-milestones/