Photonic Inc. has announced a significant breakthrough in quantum computing with the introduction of a new error correction code set in the Quantum Low Density Parity Check (QLDPC) family. These new codes, called SHYPS codes, can efficiently perform both quantum computation and error correction, using significantly fewer quantum bits (qubits) compared to traditional surface code approaches. This advancement could greatly accelerate the timeline to practical quantum computing.
QLDPC codes, introduced 20 years ago, offered a promising alternative to surface codes but required a breakthrough to perform quantum logic efficiently. Photonic’s new paper, “Computing Efficiently in QLDPC Codes,” demonstrates how to compute using SHYPS (Subsystem HYpergraph Product Simplex) QLDPC codes, achieving the efficiency gains promised by QLDPC codes and paving the way for commercially useful quantum applications.
David Shaw, Lead Analyst at Global Quantum Intelligence, commented “This is a truly major milestone. The quantum field must now be divided into those whose hardware can run these new codes, and those who can’t. We’re going to see a race between players that invest in the scarce skills required for in-house code innovation, and those that seek to be fast followers. Implementing logic always looked like the hard part of standing-up better codes. This new work has knocked it out of the park.”
Stephanie Simmons, Chief Quantum Officer at Photonic, stated that unlocking high-performance QLDPC codes has been a major goal for quantum error correction research, and the new SHYPS codes can run all quantum algorithms with up to 20 times fewer physical qubits when compared to the surface code. This reduces the overhead requirements that have previously contributed to long projections for the realization of quantum computing.
The code also provides fast computation and fast error correction times and enables simpler error decoding circuits. In addition, the SHYPS codes have single-shot properties, which means they only require a single round of measurement. These traits will significantly reduce the time it will take to run a user’s circuit.
Some quantum computer implementations use a grid-like topology where a qubit is only connected to its four neighboring qubits. These architectures require the use of a surface code which works with such a topology. However, Photonic’s qubit architecture provides the higher levels of connectivity with non-local connections that are needed to realize the benefits of QLDPC codes.
The codes have been successfully tested in extensive simulations, showing that the logic works in practice. However, Photonic will be continuing to work on optimizing this approach to make it even more efficient to achieve the best possible encoded implementations of algorithms with proven exponential advantage
A news release announcing the development of this new code can be found on Photonic’s website here. A technical paper with details about the code is available here. A white paper with additional information about this code can be accessed here. And finally, a video with Dr. Stephanie Simmons describing the new code has been posted on YouTube here.
February 11, 2025
