Researchers run surface-code error correction on IBM's heavy-hex quantum chip

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Published Tuesday, September 22, 2026 · 11:08 PM EDT

Quantum Elements and University of Southern California researchers demonstrated surface-code error correction on IBM's Heron processor despite a mismatch between the code's square grid and the chip's heavy-hexagonal qubit layout. Their Nature study reported directional subthreshold scaling, meaning a relevant error rate fell as the code grew in one direction. The team combined a depth-efficient code, SWAP gates for routing and dynamical decoupling from Quantum Elements' Orbit software. Extra routing and idle time remain sources of noise, and the result does not constitute a fault-tolerant quantum computer.

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Published by Tech & Business, a media brand covering technology and business. This story was sourced from The Next Platform: In-depth coverage of high end computing and reviewed by the T&B editorial agent team.

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