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A recent study published in Nature has detailed a major achievement by Google’s Quantum AI team. Their latest quantum processor, named “Willow,” solved a computational problem in five minutes that would have taken the world’s most advanced supercomputer an estimated 10 septillion years. This achievement marks significant progress in overcoming one of the greatest challenges in quantum computing — reducing errors as the machines scale.

Breakthrough in Quantum Error Correction

Quantum computers are known for their high error rates, where approximately one in 1,000 qubits fail during calculations. In comparison, traditional computers experience failures in only one out of a billion billion bits. This discrepancy has made error-correction methods critical for advancing the technology. The Willow processor, which contains 105 physical qubits, employs error-correcting technologies that reduce inaccuracies as more qubits are added, an achievement first theorised by computer scientist Peter Shor in 1995.

Google Quantum AI’s Julian Kelly, director of quantum hardware, told Live Science that the team’s focus has been on achieving a state where fewer errors are introduced than are corrected. The Willow processor’s design integrates physical qubits into “logical qubits,” enabling calculations to proceed even if individual qubits fail.

Through advancements in machine learning, device fabrication, and calibration techniques, the team reported coherence times of up to 100 microseconds — five times better than their previous Sycamore processor, the researchers stated in the study.

Path to Practical Applications

The team’s immediate goal is to construct a logical qubit with an error rate of one in a million, requiring 1,457 physical qubits. Once achieved, their efforts will shift towards connecting multiple logical qubits to solve real-world problems. While the Willow processor has demonstrated exponential error reduction, scientists aim to move beyond benchmarks and focus on practical computations that extend the capabilities of quantum machines.

This progress, as highlighted in the study and expert discussions, indicates a path forward for quantum computing to outperform classical systems in diverse applications.

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Cave pearls with ancient artefacts found in Jerusalem’s Joweizeh Tunnel!

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December 11, 2024

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Cave pearls with ancient artefacts found in Jerusalem’s Joweizeh Tunnel!

A significant discovery has been made in Jerusalem by a team led by Dr. Azriel Yechezkel from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Researchers have identified 50 cave pearls within the Joweizeh Spring Tunnel, a historic waterway near Jerusalem’s Old City. Among the findings, 14 pearls contained pottery fragments, and two included plaster remains, marking the first instance of man-made objects embedded in such formations. The findings were reported in the journal Archaeometry.

Unique Discovery of Cave Pearls in the Tunnel

Cave pearls, small mineral formations resembling pearls, are reported to be rare speleothems formed under specific environmental conditions. Unlike other geological formations, these pearls can develop within a few hundred years, as per sources. The Joweizeh Spring Tunnel, built to channel water from a perched aquifer, provided the necessary environment for their formation.

Discovered in a previously sealed section of the tunnel, the pearls measured various sizes and were analysed for their composition, as per reports. Among the artefacts, most pottery shards were linked to the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, with a few dating back to the Iron Age and Middle Bronze Age. Reportedly, some shards contained a cobalt-rich coating, a technique associated with imported pottery from regions like Cyprus and Ephesus.

Historical Significance of the Tunnel and Artefacts

The Joweizeh Spring Tunnel, spanning 232 metres, is one of the oldest artificial water tunnels in the southern Levant. Constructed during the Iron Age II, it was part of a royal estate. Evidence suggests its continuous use through the Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, with significant renovations during the Hellenistic era.

Dr. Yechezkel posits that the imported pottery, possibly a ceramic lamp, may have been used by engineers overseeing the tunnel’s construction, in a statement. This discovery sheds light on the engineering expertise of ancient civilisations and their water management systems.

The findings highlight the interplay between natural processes and human activity in creating such unique formations. Further research is anticipated to uncover additional insights into the tunnel’s history, as per reports.

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Study Validates Nebra Sky Disc as Bronze Age Artefact Using Forging Analysis

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December 11, 2024

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Study Validates Nebra Sky Disc as Bronze Age Artefact Using Forging Analysis

A recent study has provided crucial insights into the manufacturing techniques used to create the Nebra Sky Disc, an artefact thought to date back 3,800 years to the Early Bronze Age. The analysis challenges claims suggesting the disc could be a modern forgery. Researchers revealed that the disc was crafted through an elaborate “hot forging” process, involving at least ten heating and hammering cycles at temperatures exceeding 700°C, according to Christian-Heinrich Wunderlich, a metallurgist cited by Live Science.

Discovery and Ongoing Debate

The study was published in Scientific Reports on November 21. Unearthed in 1999 near Nebra, Germany, the 12-inch bronze disc, adorned with gold symbols thought to represent celestial bodies, has been the subject of considerable debate. Initial reports lauded it as the oldest known depiction of the sky. However, questions regarding its authenticity arose, including theories suggesting its discovery site might have been staged to enhance its market value.

Experts involved in the study recreated a replica using Early Bronze Age techniques, reportedly. The metallographic comparison between the replica and the original disc identified crystal structures in the bronze consistent with ancient hot forging methods. Wunderlich in a statement to LiveScience said that the copper used in the disc was traced to a specific Austrian mine active during the Early Bronze Age but no longer operational in subsequent eras. This finding undermines suggestions that the artefact might be significantly younger.

Symbolism and Craftsmanship

The disc combines bronze with gold elements using a technique known as damascening. Harald Meller, state archaeologist of Saxony-Anhalt, emphasised in his statement that the advanced metalworking skills evident in its construction. The gold inlays, possibly depicting the sun, moon, stars, and other celestial elements, have been interpreted as an early astronomical chart.

The artefact remains on display at the Saxony-Anhalt State Museum of Prehistory, celebrated for its historical significance. While disputes surrounding its origins continue, recent findings provide strong evidence supporting its Bronze Age provenance.

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Google Willow: All You Need to Know About the Quantum Processor That Outperforms World’s Best Supercomputer

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Is this marble bust the face of Cleopatra VII? Archaeologists are divided.

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December 11, 2024

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Is this marble bust the face of Cleopatra VII? Archaeologists are divided.

A marble bust, unearthed at the ancient city of Taposiris Magna in Egypt, is believed by archaeologist Kathleen Martinez to depict Cleopatra VII, the renowned Ptolemaic queen linked to Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The discovery, made beneath a temple wall, features a female figure wearing a diadem, a royal headpiece. Reports from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities highlight that Martinez, who leads the Egyptian-Dominican excavation team, attributes the statue to Cleopatra VII, the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty, reigning from 69 to 30 B.C.

Scepticism has been raised by other archaeologists about the identification of the statue. In statements made to Live Science, Zahi Hawass, a former Egyptian minister of antiquities, suggested that the artefact likely represents a Roman-era figure rather than Cleopatra. He explained that during Cleopatra’s reign, Egyptian art styles predominated, whereas the Roman style evident in the bust would align with a later period, after Cleopatra’s death in 30 B.C.

Artefacts and Additional Discoveries at Taposiris Magna

Numerous artefacts were uncovered alongside the bust, including 337 coins, some depicting Cleopatra VII, oil lamps, and a bronze ring dedicated to the goddess Hathor. Excavations at the site have also revealed a necropolis with 20 tombs, fragments of other statues, and a previously unknown temple believed to date back to the Ptolemaic period.

Kathleen Martinez, who has led research at Taposiris Magna for over a decade, has previously posited that Cleopatra’s tomb might be located at the site, though this theory lacks consensus among experts. Underwater exploration near the site has also yielded pottery, structures, and human remains, though further studies are required to establish their historical context.

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.



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