China has the first dual-core quantum computer with neutral atoms

Chinese startup CAS Cold Atom Technology has unveiled the Hanyuan-2, a 200-qubit quantum computer that it describes as the world's first dual-core quantum system. The device combines two independent fields of neutral atoms that can operate in parallel or in unison, promising greater stability of logical qubits and better scalability of the technology without the need for extreme cooling.

Chinese company CAS Cold Atom Technology has announced a breakthrough in advanced quantum computing. Its new system, dubbed Hanyuan-2, represents the first move from a single-core to a dual-core quantum processor architecture. According to reports from Chinese media outlets, including the Global Times and Science and Technology Daily, the computer system uses two separate fields for processing neutral atoms, which are integrated into a single system.

The heart of the Hanyuan-2 system is made up of 200 qubits, which are made up of two different isotopes of rubidium. Specifically, they are 100 atoms of rubidium-85 and 100 atoms of rubidium-87. Unlike classical bits, qubits can exist in multiple states at the same time due to the phenomenon of superposition, which theoretically allows them to solve specific problems much faster than traditional machines. Ge Guiguo, a senior expert at the company, explains that these two cores can operate independently or in a “master and slave core” configuration, which is designed to create more stable logical qubits with error correction.

The neutral atom architecture uses lasers to trap and manipulate individual atoms in space. This approach is becoming increasingly popular because it allows for increasing the number of qubits without the complex cooling systems required for superconducting quantum computers. The Hanyuan-2 consumes less than 7 kilowatts of power and does not require ultra-low temperatures near absolute zero. Instead, it uses a smaller laser cooling system and a cabinet-like enclosure that is suitable for indoor installation.

While companies like IBM, QuEra, and Pasqal are also developing modular and networked quantum systems, the Chinese approach appears to be more tightly integrated within a single device. The design of the Hanyuan-2 resembles a multi-core processor in a single device, which is expected to reduce interference between neighboring qubits and make it easier to scale the processors.

Despite the ambitious claims, independent experts warn that technical data on gate accuracy, error rates, or evidence of practical quantum advantage has not yet been publicly released or peer-reviewed. China has made quantum technology a strategic national priority and is investing heavily in developing a domestic ecosystem to compete with solutions from the United States and Europe.