Work

Detecting Quantum Errors with Hardware-Efficient Checks

Year: 2026

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: Assertions are used extensively in programming to check for program bugs or runtime errors. In quantum computers, runtime errors are many orders of magnitude more likely, making it critical to detect such errors. The problem is exacerbated due to several factors: direct observation of the quantum state destroys it, and the process of detecting errors can itself introduce extra errors. Here, we introduce methods for efficiently detecting errors in quantum circuits by leveraging spacetime codes. These checks introduce little additional error and can be tailored to the underlying quantum hardware, including its qubit connectivity graph and dominant sources of noise. We show the practicality of the approach by successfully preparing maximally entangled states on 50 logical qubits. Such error detection methods form a viable bridge between near-term error mitigation and longer-term error correction in quantum computers.

Source: IEEE Symposium on VLSI Technology and Circuits (VLSI Technology and Circuits)

DOI: 10.1109/vlsitechnologyandcir65830.2026.11577485

Authors: Simon Martiel, Ali Javadi-Abhari

Institutions: IBM (France), IBM (United States), IBM Research - Thomas J. Watson Research Center

Language: English

Topic: Quantum Computing Algorithms and Architecture

Subfield: Artificial Intelligence

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

OpenAlex ID: W7167222604

FWCI:

Cites: 4

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Related to: 10