Google touts quantum computing milestone

Google said its quantum processor has completed a calculation in just a few minutes that would take a traditional supercomputer thousands of years to finish. — AP

SAN FRANCISCO: Google said it has achieved a breakthrough in quantum computing research, saying an experimental quantum processor has completed a calculation in just a few minutes that would take a traditional supercomputer thousands of years.

The findings, published Oct 23 in the scientific journal Nature, show that "quantum speedup is achievable in a real-world system and is not precluded by any hidden physical laws," the researchers wrote.