# Quantum Computing: Sci-Fi Technology Requires Real-World Engineering

- Show: [Moore's Lobby](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby)
- Published: 2024-02-13
- Length: 55m
- Episode: 3
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2024-02-13-quantum-computing-sci-fi-technology-requires-real-world-engineering
- Listen: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/podcast/quantum-computing-sci-fi-technology-requires-real-world-engineering

## Summary

Dr. Oliver Dial, CTO of IBM Quantum, explains the engineering realities behind IBM's superconducting quantum processors, including the Heron and Condor chips. He details the transition from classical to quantum computing, the critical role of cryogenic systems operating at millikelvin temperatures, and the specific packaging innovations like the Eagle stack-up that enabled scaling to 1,000+ qubits. Dial also discusses error mitigation techniques, the challenges of qubit frequency collisions, and the future of modular quantum systems.

## Chapters

- [0:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2024-02-13-quantum-computing-sci-fi-technology-requires-real-world-engineering#t=4) Introduction and Oliver Dial's Background
- [5:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2024-02-13-quantum-computing-sci-fi-technology-requires-real-world-engineering#t=304) Quantum vs. Classical Computing and Qubit Architecture
- [10:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2024-02-13-quantum-computing-sci-fi-technology-requires-real-world-engineering#t=624) Entanglement, Gates, and Microwave Engineering
- [15:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2024-02-13-quantum-computing-sci-fi-technology-requires-real-world-engineering#t=951) Noise, Error Mitigation, and the Utility Paper
- [23:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2024-02-13-quantum-computing-sci-fi-technology-requires-real-world-engineering#t=1402) Quantum Error Correction and Qubit Counts
- [26:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2024-02-13-quantum-computing-sci-fi-technology-requires-real-world-engineering#t=1604) Control Systems, Attenuation, and Signal Chain
- [32:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2024-02-13-quantum-computing-sci-fi-technology-requires-real-world-engineering#t=1935) Chip Fabrication, Packaging, and the Eagle Stack-up
- [37:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2024-02-13-quantum-computing-sci-fi-technology-requires-real-world-engineering#t=2270) Modularity, IO Density, and the Heron Processor
- [44:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2024-02-13-quantum-computing-sci-fi-technology-requires-real-world-engineering#t=2684) Cryogenics, Dilution Refrigerators, and Helium Constraints
- [49:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2024-02-13-quantum-computing-sci-fi-technology-requires-real-world-engineering#t=2992) Applications, Career Advice, and Conclusion

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- IBM Quantum (company)
- Heron (product)
- Condor (product)
- Eagle (product)
- Osprey (product)
- Falcon (product)
- IBM Quantum Lab (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Inside Quantum Computing Hardware with Šimon Marek | OnTrack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-01-13-inside-quantum-computing-hardware-with-simon-marek-ontrack) (OnTrack)
- [Yonatan Cohen | Quantum Computing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-01-27-yonatan-cohen-quantum-computing) (Being an Engineer)
- [344: Superposition, Entanglement, and Interference](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-09-10-344-superposition-entanglement-and-interference) (Embedded.fm)
- [The Queen of Quantum | Space Docs and The Right Stuff | The Best Interviews](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-12-23-the-queen-of-quantum-space-docs-and-the-right-stuff-the-best-interviews) (EE Times Current)
- [483: An Ion of the Highest Fidelity](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-08-23-483-an-ion-of-the-highest-fidelity) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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