Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: How much energy does a quantum computer consume? Are they more efficient than their classical counterparts? In this work, we make a step towards answering these questions. We define the energy efficiency of a quantum computer as the ratio of the number of algorithms it can perform during a given time over the energy consumed by the hardware during this time. We analyze the most representative physical platforms currently envisioned to be used as building blocks of quantum computers: superconducting qubits, silicon spin qubits, trapped ions, neutral atoms and photonic qubits. Including insights from experts in all these technologies and taking into account algorithm compilation constraints, we discuss the advantages and inconveniences of each platform from an energy standpoint. Beyond providing concrete values of the energy consumption of current quantum computers, we lay the foundation of a framework to benchmark the energy efficiency of any future quantum computing architecture.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Institutions: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Télécom Paris, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Laboratoire Traitement et Communication de l’Information, Quandela (France), Institute of Photonic Sciences, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Harvard University, Centro de Supercomputación de Galicia, Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech (Spain), Universitat Politècnica de València
Language: English
Subfield: Artificial Intelligence
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7161303031