IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), a leading quantum computing company, announced that it has achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a new benchmark in quantum computing performance. The company released technical papers detailing the result, marking the first time a quantum system has crossed the “four-nines” threshold.
Two-qubit gate fidelity, a measure of the accuracy of quantum operations, is a key determinant of quantum computing performance. Higher fidelity reduces the need for error correction, enabling more complex algorithms and improving the efficiency of quantum systems. IonQ achieved this result using its proprietary Electronic Qubit Control (EQC) technology, which uses precision electronics rather than lasers to control qubits and integrates control components onto standard semiconductor chips.
The achievement surpasses the previous world record of 99.97% set in 2024 by Oxford Ionics, which has since become part of IonQ. According to the company, the milestone lays the foundation for scaling to millions of qubits by 2030 and represents a critical step toward large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum systems.
“This level of quantum performance has been the industry’s north star for decades and crossing it brings fault-tolerant quantum systems closer to practical deployment,” said Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ. “It allows customers to unlock more value from quantum computing sooner while lowering the cost and complexity of large-scale systems.”
Dr. Chris Ballance, co-founder of Oxford Ionics, noted that the milestone demonstrates the potential of mass-manufacturable quantum technology. “Exceeding 99.99% fidelity on chips built in standard semiconductor fabs positions IonQ to scale to millions of qubits and expand the range of commercial applications,” he said.
IonQ said the result was achieved with prototypes in its research labs, which will serve as the basis for 256-qubit systems planned for demonstration in 2026. By using EQC technology, the company can manufacture quantum systems more efficiently, improve operational stability, and reduce costs compared with traditional laser-based systems.
The company has already applied its technology in commercial settings. In 2025, IonQ reported a 20-fold speed-up in quantum-accelerated drug discovery and up to a 12% performance improvement over classical computing in computer-aided engineering. The firm is also developing quantum applications for autonomous vehicle object detection and artificial intelligence.
The 99.99% fidelity milestone positions IonQ at the forefront of quantum computing development, offering potential advantages in error-corrected performance, complex algorithm execution, and faster deployment of large-scale systems.
