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Microsoft patents method to fix errors in 4D quantum codes

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

Microsoft describes a technique for correcting errors in quantum computer measurements using a four-dimensional toric code. The method identifies error patterns as loops in a 4D space, shrinks a bounding box around them, and fixes the specific error once the box isolates a single unit.

Why it mattersThis filing outlines a specific algorithm for improving the reliability of quantum calculations, which is a key step in making quantum computers practical for complex tasks.

In the filing’s own words

Aspects of the disclosure include a method for determining and correcting an error in measurement outcomes from a quantum circuit. Aspects include receiving, from the quantum circuit, output of the measurement outcomes for a four-dimensional (4D) toric code and determining a flux loop from the measurement outcomes, where the flux loop corresponds to a 4D torus. Aspects include transforming the flux loop into a 4D covering space by fixing a base point of the flux loop in the 4D covering space, where a 4D bounding box is generated that encloses the flux loop in 4D covering space. Aspects include shrinking the 4D bounding box enclosing the flux loop by decreasing a size of the bounding box, where the shrinking continues until the 4D bounding box surrounds a single plaquette, where a pattern of errors correspond to the single plaquette. The pattern of errors corresponding to the single plaquette is corrected.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method for determining and correcting an error in measurement outcomes from a quantum circuit, the method comprising: receiving, from the quantum circuit, output of the measurement outcomes for a four-dimensional (4D) toric code; determining a flux loop from the measurement outcomes, wherein the flux loop corresponds to a 4D torus; transforming the flux loop to a 4D covering space by fixing a base point of the flux loop in the 4D covering space, wherein a 4D bounding box is generated that encloses the flux loop in the 4D covering space; shrinking the 4D bounding box enclosing the flux loop by decreasing a size of the bounding box, wherein the shrinking continues until the 4D bounding box surrounds a single plaquette, wherein a pattern of errors correspond to the single plaquette; and correcting the pattern of errors corresponding to the single plaquette.

Facts

Company
Microsoft (Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC)
Official title
DECODING FOUR-DIMENSIONAL TORIC CODE FOR A QUANTUM COMPUTER
Publication number
US20260300798A1
Application number
19093429
Filed
Mar 28, 2025
Published
Oct 1, 2026
Inventors
3
Claims
20

Classified under

G06N 10/70 Physics & computingG06N 10/20 Physics & computing

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.