key points
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The trapped ion approach is the most accurate quantum computing method currently available.
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Industry player IonQ can quickly achieve commercial feasibility with its accuracy advantage.
IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) Quantum computing is one of the leading investment opportunities today. It generates the most revenue of any pure plays in this industry and also has a technological advantage, making it a smart stock pick in this cutting-edge sector.
However, it is doing quantum computing differently from everyone else. It’s using a technology called trapped ions, and it could be its secret weapon in the quantum computing arms race.
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IonQ’s logo is placed on the company’s headquarters.
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Trapped ion approach gives far better results than other methods
The biggest issue facing quantum computing right now is accuracy. If quantum computers were completely accurate, we would already be using the technology everywhere. There is also no generally accepted way to conduct quantum computing. The basics involve using the quantum mechanics of a particle to perform computing operations, but how each competitor controls the particle varies widely.
IonQ uses trapped ion technology, which is unique in other ways. A common concept that all quantum computing companies have discovered is that making qubits interact with each other increases accuracy. More common methods, such as superconducting, only allow qubits to interact with their neighbors. However, the trapped ion architecture allows every qubit in the system to interact with each other, achieving the highest accuracy.
This led IonQ to set a world record in quantum computing accuracy by achieving a 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity score in October last year. Although this occurred in an R&D setting, IonQ aims to reach this limit in its 256-qubit system this year. If IonQ can achieve this, it will be one step closer to delivering a commercially viable system faster than most investors believe. This will also put it ahead of the competition, as IonQ will have one of the largest quantum computers available with the best accuracy.
However, there is no free lunch in quantum computing. While IonQ leads in the accuracy department, it lags in speed. The speed of trapped ion processing is much slower than other methods. Although this may not be a big deal right now, if we reach the point where all quantum computing technologies provide acceptable accuracy levels, processing speed will become the next area that users will focus on. This may lead to the demise of IonQ, but with the primary focus being on accuracy and the huge edge IonQ has over the competition, I think they are taking the right approach.
As a result, IonQ is a great quantum computing investment, but investors need Keep an eye on its progress and its leadership On competition. While IonQ’s trapped ion approach is its biggest strength right now, it could become a major weakness if competition closes the gap.
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Keithan Drury IonQ has positions. The Motley Fool has the position and recommends IonQ. The Motley Fool has one Disclosure Policy.
