Caltech Achieves Quantum Leap with Record 6,100-Qubit Neutral-Atom Computer

Caltech physicists have shattered previous benchmarks in quantum computing by assembling a 6,100-cesium-atom array—the largest neutral-atom system ever recorded. Published in Nature, the breakthrough demonstrates unprecedented coherence times of 13 seconds alongside 99.98% operational accuracy, defying conventional scaling limitations.

The team successfully transported atoms across the array while maintaining quantum superposition, a critical advancement for practical applications. Neutral-atom architectures now emerge as a viable contender against superconducting and trapped-ion approaches, with their inherent scalability advantage becoming increasingly evident.

Quantum computing's potential to revolutionize cryptography and complex system modeling remains constrained by decoherence challenges. Caltech's achievement marks a pivotal step toward fault-tolerant systems capable of outpacing classical supercomputers in specific computational domains.