Quantum computer hardware development is entering a new phase. It has become clear that conventional approaches struggle to achieve sufficient performance, prompting the development of new hardware that breaks away from traditional methods. However, simply extending existing techniques will not be enough to drive the evolution of quantum computing.
In this context, the technology of "encoding" is gaining attention. Encoding involves replacing one quantum state with another to strengthen the structure of qubits. For example, Amazon has realized "cat qubits" by encoding continuous-variable optical states into qubits. Various other encoding methods are also actively being researched.
Of course, quantum error correction remains a crucial technology. However, traditional error correction methods require a significant overhead in terms of the number of qubits, posing a major challenge. As new technologies advance, encoding techniques that do not rely on conventional error correction are also emerging. This has led to increasingly complex hardware designs, where simply creating and operating qubits is no longer sufficient to achieve optimal quantum computing.
Amidst this shift, the importance of middleware is growing more than ever. As hardware becomes more complex, the role of middleware is evolving beyond simple control functions—it is now essential in leveraging encoding techniques to push the limits of hardware capabilities. The advancement of quantum computing is no longer just about hardware; it is progressing hand in hand with the development of middleware that integrates encoding technologies.