Quantum World Records

Following the advances in quantum technology over the years has been a compelling ride. Today, in 2024, we are at a stage where confidence in a commercial quantum computer is growing. Each breakthrough, each iteration means a step closer. And world records are being tracked to record these steps for history.

So let’s take a look at some of the world records in quantum technology as of this month, December 2024, based on a variety of sources.

Image source: Brian Lenahan/Midjourney

NOTE: The challenge with trying to identify world records is the availability of up-to-date, public data that is verifiable. The following is an attempt (and comments on alternative achievements are welcome as this substack is for the benefit of business leaders, not my accuracy ego.) Many are from Guinness, while others are from linked public sources. Searching the Guinness Book of World Records, there are 92 results for “quantum”. Not all relate to quantum technology, but several do.

Quantum World Records

• Quantum state preparation and measurement (SPAM) fidelity

  Oxford Ionics set a new record of 99.9993% for SPAM fidelity, which is the highest ever achieved by a quantum computing platform. This represents a 13-fold reduction in errors compared to previous methods.

• Number of qubits and logical qubits

  As of December 2024, Atom Computing's prototype quantum computer has the highest number of qubits at 1,180. LiveScience recently wrote about a new quantum computing milestone smashed the entanglement world record, namely Atom Computing’s 24 "logical qubits".

• Quantum entanglement in optical fibers

  Physicists from the Austrian Academy of Sciences entangled photons over 248 kilometers of optical fiber, which is more than double the previous record of 100 kilometers.

• Quantum Communication Distance Record

  According to Guinness “In March 2008 scientists announced they had detected and identified single photons of light bounced off an orbiting satellite some 1,485 km above the Earth. This achievement is a critical step to establishing a space-based quantum communications channel - the holy grail of absolutely secure and uninterceptable digital communications”

• Fastest random number generator

  “The fastest random number generator generates quantum randomness at a rate of 250 trillion bits per second and was achieved by researchers led by Kyungduk Kim at the Department of Applied Physics, Yale University, New Haven and collaborators in France, Singapore, the UK and Ireland, as published in Science on 26 February 2021.” Guinness World Records

• Most nationalities in a quantum computing lesson

  The most nationalities in a quantum computing lesson is 87 and was achieved by CYBER SECURITY COUNCIL (UAE), in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on 12 November 2024

Do take the time to check out the rest of the Guinness Records for quantum on their site. You’ll find some interesting ones like the “Shortest Bond film - At 106 minutes, Quantum of Solace (2008) is the shortest James Bond movie to date.”

And if you’re aware of a quantum world record, feel free to post in the comments.

Brian Lenahan is founder and chair of the Quantum Strategy Institute, author of seven Amazon published books on quantum technologies and artificial intelligence. Brian’s focus on the practical side of technology ensures you will get the guidance and inspiration you need to gain value from quantum now and into the future. Brian does not purport to be an expert in each field or subfield for which he provides science communication.

Brian’s books are available on Amazon. Quantum Strategy for Business course is available on the QURECA platform.

Copyright 2024 Aquitaine Innovation Advisors