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Research dossier · version 1 · updated Oct 30, 2026

Superconducting Quantum Processors: State of the Field (October 2026)

An expert briefing on superconducting quantum processors as of late October 2026: transmon, fluxonium and bosonic (GKP and cat) qubits; coherence, two-qubit gate and readout fidelity; surface-code memories and their error-suppression factor; beyond-classical experiments; and the wiring and control limits on scaling. The main takeaway is that a superconducting surface-code memory now outlives its best physical qubit, with an error-suppression factor of about 2.1 per distance step, while open problems include rare correlated errors and the control wiring that very large machines will need.

3,992 words38 sources28 evidence-mapped claims17 benchmarks20 timeline events✓ citation-verified Oct 30, 2026

AI-assisted synthesis of the cited literature, independently fact-checked against its sources; not peer reviewed.

Contents

  1. Executive summary
  2. Background and core concepts
  3. Timeline of key milestones
  4. State of the art
  5. Transmons and coherence
  6. Fluxonium
  7. Two-qubit gates, crosstalk and ZZ suppression
  8. Readout
  9. Error correction
  10. Beyond-classical and algorithmic demonstrations
  11. Quantitative benchmarks
  12. Open problems and active debates
  13. Major programs and players
  14. Outlook: what to watch (next 12-18 months)
  15. Key papers
  16. Glossary

Sample findings

  • Google's distance-7 surface-code memory on 101 qubits logged 0.143% +/- 0.003% logical error per 1.1 us cycle, with error suppression Lambda = 2.14 +/- 0.02 per distance step and a logical lifetime 2.4 +/- 0.3 times its best physical qubit.
  • In repetition codes run up to distance 29, logical performance is limited by rare correlated error events, about once per hour or once per 3 x 10^9 cycles.
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