For years, quantum computing has been hailed as the future of technology—one that promises to revolutionize everything from cryptography to drug discovery.
Scientists have long envisioned computers that could solve problems exponentially faster than today’s supercomputers.
But despite exciting breakthroughs, there’s still no practical, working quantum computer that can outperform classical systems in real-world tasks.
So why does quantum computing still feel like an elusive dream?
A new paper from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and MIT lays out a roadmap for overcoming the major challenges standing in the way of practical quantum computers.
Their research focuses on photon-based quantum chips—an approach that might be our best bet yet for making quantum computing a reality.
But before we dive into the roadmap, let’s break down the basics of quantum computing and why it’s such a big deal.
What Makes Quantum Computers So Powerful?
Classical computers process information in bits, which can be either 0 or 1.
This binary system is the foundation of everything from smartphones to supercomputers.
But quantum computers operate with qubits—which can be 0, 1, or both at the same time thanks to a principle called superposition.
This allows quantum computers to process multiple calculations simultaneously, unlocking vast computing power.
Another key quantum property is entanglement, where qubits become interconnected in a way that allows changes in one to instantaneously affect the other, no matter how far apart they are.
This could enable vastly superior computing networks and unprecedented data processing speeds.
Tech giants like Google and IBM have made bold claims about their quantum computing advances.
Google, for instance, announced “quantum supremacy” in 2019, claiming their quantum processor solved a problem in minutes that would take a classical supercomputer thousands of years.
However, critics argue that these early systems still don’t meet the criteria for a practical, scalable quantum computer.
What’s Holding Quantum Computing Back?
Despite exciting progress, quantum computing faces several obstacles:
- Qubit Stability – Quantum states are incredibly fragile and can be disrupted by tiny changes in temperature, electromagnetic fields, or vibrations.
- Error Rates – Unlike classical bits, qubits are prone to errors, making computation unstable.
- Scalability – Researchers need to build systems with millions of qubits to outperform classical computers on useful tasks, but today’s quantum chips typically contain fewer than 100 qubits.
- Hardware Development – Many competing technologies (trapped ions, superconducting circuits, and photonic qubits) are still being tested, and there’s no clear winner yet.
Photon-Based Quantum Chips
One of the most promising approaches is photonic quantum computing, which uses particles of light (photons) to encode and process information.
The advantage? Photons are highly stable and can travel long distances without interference, making them excellent qubits.
According to the UTS-MIT study, a photon-based system could overcome many of the limitations of current quantum computers.
These systems could be manufactured at scale using existing semiconductor technology, making them more practical than approaches requiring extreme cooling or complex ion-trapping setups.
Are Qubits the Wrong Focus?
For years, the quantum computing race has been focused on increasing qubit count—a belief that more qubits automatically lead to more powerful computers.
But what if this assumption is flawed?
Recent studies suggest that rather than simply increasing qubit numbers, researchers should prioritize reducing error rates and improving qubit connectivity.
Even with today’s limited qubit counts, a well-optimized system could outperform a brute-force increase in qubits riddled with errors.
Error correction is emerging as the single most important factor in building a scalable quantum computer.
This is where photon-based quantum computing shines. Unlike superconducting qubits, which require temperatures near absolute zero, photonic qubits can function at room temperature, dramatically simplifying system design.
Moreover, photonic qubits can be easily transmitted via fiber-optic networks, opening the door for large-scale, distributed quantum computing.
Single-Photon Emitters
One of the biggest milestones outlined in the UTS-MIT roadmap is the development of single-photon emitters—devices that can generate identical, controllable photons on demand.
These emitters are essential for building large-scale photonic quantum computers.
According to the researchers, the ideal single-photon emitter should:
- Produce identical photons with precise quantum properties.
- Operate at room temperature to simplify scalability.
- Be electrically triggered, rather than requiring complex optical setups.
- Be mass-producible using semiconductor fabrication techniques.
Several promising materials have been identified for this task, including diamond-based nanostructures and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN).
While no material has yet emerged as the perfect solution, rapid advancements suggest we are on the verge of a breakthrough.
Quantum Computing Is Closer Than You Think
While many believe quantum computing is still decades away, this new roadmap suggests otherwise.
The transition from fundamental research to engineering is accelerating, much like the transformation of classical computing from vacuum tubes to silicon microchips.
In the coming years, we can expect:
- More real-world demonstrations of quantum algorithms solving practical problems.
- The rise of cloud-based quantum computing services, allowing companies to experiment with quantum processing before physical machines become widespread.
- Hybrid quantum-classical computing, where quantum processors handle specific tasks while classical computers manage overall operations.
The next major milestone?
A practical, scalable quantum chip that surpasses classical supercomputers not just in theory—but in real-world applications.
Are We on the Verge of a Quantum Revolution?
Quantum computing has long been a field of hype and promise.
But with recent breakthroughs in photon-based chips, error correction, and scalable qubit architectures, we may be closer than ever to witnessing the first true practical quantum computer.
The roadmap outlined by UTS and MIT offers a clear direction for solving the remaining challenges.
While there’s still work to be done, we now have a concrete path forward—and that makes the future of computing more exciting than ever.
One thing is certain: when the quantum revolution finally arrives, it will change the world in ways we can hardly imagine today.
