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A 16 cubit universal scalable
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superconducting quantum computer
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prototype built on the promising
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Fluxonium cubit architecture was
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officially demonstrated by Russian
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scientists in February 2026.
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The system represents another
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significant step in the development of
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quantum computing technologies in
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Russia, a field expanding under the
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coordination of the state corporation
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Altitude Addicts, the YouTube channel
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presenting this story, explains that the
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computer was created at the National
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University of Science and Technology,
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EMIS, in Moscow, one of the country's
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leading centers for quantum research.
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The demonstration highlights ongoing
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efforts to build domestic expertise in
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At a time when quantum computing is
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increasingly viewed as a strategic
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capability with implications for
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science, industry, and technological
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sovereignty, the unveiling of this
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prototype underscores Russia's
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commitment to developing its own quantum
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The initiative forms part of a broader
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national roadmap designed to establish
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competitive quantum systems by the end
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Before its public debut, the prototype
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underwent extensive testing, including
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participation in control experiments
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conducted in December 2025 under
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Rosatom's road map. Researchers recorded
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an average fidelity of two cubit
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operations at 99.4% 4% and single cubit
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These performance figures indicate the
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maturity of the underlying technology
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and place the device within the range of
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global experimental benchmarks.
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Control experiments across multiple
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laboratories confirmed progress toward
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Altitude Addicts notes that testing also
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involved other platforms including ion
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traps, neutral atoms, phetonic systems,
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and superconducting circuits, reflecting
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a strategy of exploring multiple
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technological pathways. The Fluxonium
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processor developed at Micus forms one
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branch of this diversified approach.
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Understanding why Fluxonium matters
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provides important context because this
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architecture is considered one of the
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most promising directions for
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superconducting quantum processors.
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Its key advantage over commonly used
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transmon cubits is significantly longer
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Coherence times can exceed 1
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millisecond, meaning 1,000th of a
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second, allowing quantum information to
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be preserved longer and enabling more
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complex computations before errors
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Improved controllability further
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enhances performance.
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Fluxonium cubits operate using magnetic
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flux rather than purely charge-based
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mechanisms, improving stability and
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potentially simplifying control schemes.
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These characteristics are essential for
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scaling systems toward practical
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The 16 cubit processor developed at
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Misus is regarded as one of the largest
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fluxonium based systems currently
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demonstrated, highlighting its
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technological importance.
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Researchers see it as a step toward
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fault tolerant quantum computing.
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To better understand the technology, it
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helps to look at how a fluxonium cubit
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functions as a superconducting circuit
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designed to reduce sensitivity to noise
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and decoherence, two major obstacles in
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quantum hardware development. Reducing
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these effects improves reliability.
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Cubits are the basic units of quantum
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information similar to bits in classical
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computers, but they can exist in superp
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positions of states simultaneously.
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Accurate manipulation of these states is
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critical for computation.
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Altitude addicts explains that the
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ability of fluxonium cubits to maintain
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quantum states longer supports the
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development of more advanced algorithms
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and circuits. Years of investment in
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cryogenic engineering and
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superconducting electronics have
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contributed to these advances.
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Looking at the broader ecosystem reveals
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that the 16 cubit system is part of a
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rapidly expanding national quantum
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research environment involving multiple
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institutions and platforms.
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Technological diversification is a
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By the year 2025, Russia had
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demonstrated several quantum systems at
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the 70 cubit scale, including processors
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based on uturbium ions, calcium ions,
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and neutral rubidium atoms.
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These efforts show the ability to
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experiment across architectures.
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Control experiments confirmed successful
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testing of prototypes exceeding 70
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cubits, highlighting progress in
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mediumscale quantum computing capable of
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running more complex algorithms.
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Parallel research increases the chances
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Rosatam plays a central role by
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coordinating funding, infrastructure,
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and strategic direction while
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universities conduct experimental work.
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This collaboration integrates academic
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and industrial expertise.
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Altitude addicts observes that
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demonstrations to Rosatom leadership
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emphasize the importance of quantum
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technologies within the broader
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State involvement mirrors global trends
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where governments invest heavily in
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Although still a research prototype, the
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16 cubit system contributes to long-term
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goals of solving complex problems beyond
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the reach of classical computers.
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Potential applications span multiple
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Quantum computing could help optimize
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logistics networks, simulate molecular
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interactions, develop advanced
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materials, and enhance secure
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Even small processors are valuable for
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testing algorithms and error correction.
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However, significant challenges remain,
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including scaling systems from tens of
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cubits to hundreds or thousands while
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managing noise and thermal effects.
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Engineering complexity increases rapidly
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Superconducting quantum computers must
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operate at temperatures close to
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absolute zero, approximately -273°,
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requiring sophisticated cryogenic
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systems. Maintaining coherence across
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larger arrays is difficult.
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Another major hurdle is developing
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logical cubits which combine multiple
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physical cubits to achieve reliable
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error corrected computation.
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Progress continues but challenges
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Altitude addicts notes that the
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demonstration reflects Russia's
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intention to remain active in the global
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quantum race alongside major investments
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by countries such as the United States,
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China, and members of the European
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Union. Quantum technology is widely seen
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as strategically important.
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Although Russia's ecosystem is smaller
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than some competitors, its strong
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theoretical base and diversified
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hardware efforts provide a foundation
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for continued progress.
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Domestic development also supports
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technological independence.
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In conclusion, the demonstration of a 16
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cubit superconducting quantum computer
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based on Fluxonium architecture marks an
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important milestone in Russia's quantum
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journey. The prototype showcases
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highfidelity performance and advances in
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Through coordinated national programs,
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hardware innovation, and expanding
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research capabilities, Russia continues
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to develop quantum technologies that
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could influence science and industry in
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the years ahead. Altitude Addicts
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concludes that while many challenges
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remain, Fluxonium research may play a
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meaningful role in shaping the future of
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quantum computing worldwide.
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Allow me to present our advanced 16
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cubit ionic quantum computer featuring a
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unified trap where single ion atoms are
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immersed within a finely tuned
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This trap is identical to the one used
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in our system but specialized and
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Only here it is immersed in a deep
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vacuum are temperatures and minus
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approximately 100°. Consequences and in
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fact all the control of particles occurs
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in it. I suggest you colleagues run an
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algorithm for modeling.
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Yes, thank you. The task has almost
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started. You can wait
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If agreeable please run it by tapping
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the screen and observing the process.
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this algorithm specific to quantum
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computation involves running 8 million
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instances executing 10 to 24 times to
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refine statistical output.
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If you like the video, please subscribe,
9:26
share and like. Also, please take the
9:29
membership of Altitude Addicts to
