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

_Published Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 11:08 PM EDT · Science, Infrastructure · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![Researchers run surface-code error correction on IBM's heavy-hex quantum chip — Primary](https://image.nextplatform.com/5298466.jpg?imageId=5298466&x=0&y=0&cropw=100&croph=100&panox=0&panoy=0&panow=100&panoh=100&width=1200&height=683)

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.

## Sources

- [The Next Platform: In-depth coverage of high end computing](https://www.nextplatform.com/compute/2026/09/23/improving-quantum-error-correction-by-meshing-surface-code-with-ibms-heavy-hex-architecture/5298457)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/fsDtNyZu-GeY0XgrxKlJKa
Published: 2026-09-23T03:08:46.639Z
Story chronology: 2026-09-23T02:00:35.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-09-23T04:24:16.071Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)