MARCH 26, 2026 -- A new open-source collaboration between Open Quantum Design (OQD), WD (Western Digital), and QuScript brings together deep expertise required to reliably demonstrate quantum error correction–a crucial step towards the realization of a fault tolerant quantum computer.

Globally, a long-term goal for the quantum community is to build a fault-tolerant quantum computer capable of performing complex calculations even when errors occur within the system. Quantum computers operate using qubits to store and process information, however qubits are delicate and have a high error rate, making it difficult to perform calculations reliably. Quantum computers typically require strict temperature, humidity and vibration controls to keep qubits stable and reduce their error rate. As a result, today’s quantum computers are confined to the labs where near-perfect conditions can be controlled using optics tables and vacuum chambers to keep qubits steady, requiring heavy resources.

Fault tolerance–the computer’s ability to correct its own errors and operate reliably–is necessary to move quantum computers out of the lab and onto our desktops. A fault tolerant quantum computer could open up powerful applications in areas such as chemical engineering, pharmaceuticals, and the simulation of extremely complex systems, for example.

Now, the Error Correction working group is tackling fault tolerance head-on by taking a holistic, open-source approach to designing a fault tolerant quantum computer. Through a collaboration between OQD, WD, and QuScript, the Error Correction working group offers a unique blend of quantum expertise equipped to address one of the biggest challenges in quantum today: demonstrating error correction on a quantum computer.

“We are building a complete quantum computer prototype, end to end, for demonstrating error correction,” said Jon Yard, founder and CEO of QuScript. “By making the hardware and software designs available through open-source, it brings down the cost of entry for quantum computing technology development.”

Fault tolerance for the full stack

As a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering collaboration, OQD provides open-source access to its full stack, trapped ion quantum computer. Since launching, OQD co-founders Rajibul Islam, Crystal Senko, and Roger Melko from the University of Waterloo, and OQD co-founder and CEO Greg Dick have been focused on the meticulous hardware design of the quantum computer.

“Built from the bottom up, the full stack of OQD’s quantum computer starts with the bare metal hardware, trapping ions in a vacuum chamber that act as physical qubits, then layering in real time electrodynamical pulses and lasers that control the computer. Through a compiler these hardware pieces are connected to high level software at the top where users run applications,” explained Melko. “We’re reducing the barrier to hardware access by making OQD’s quantum computer openly available, and bringing together members of the Error Correction working group to implement quantum error correction and drive technology forward.”

Joining the collaboration is WD (Western Digital), one of the largest hard disk drive manufacturers globally with extensive experience in building decoders to detect errors and in the design of quantum error correction codes. “Instead of storing information in a single physical qubit, quantum error correction spreads that information across multiple qubits to create a more stable unit known as a logical qubit,” said Zvonimir Bandic, Distinguished Engineer, Research & Development Department Manager for Hardware Systems Architecture at WD. “A logical qubit is made up of groups of physical qubits, and stores information more reliably. The idea is to implement several logical qubits to demonstrate error correction.”

“What is amazing about this project is that we have physical qubits, which are the ions, from the ion trap in OQD’s quantum computer,” said Bandic. “Building a logical qubit using the ions, we can test quantum error correction codes on an actual prototyping system, and that is an exciting part of this collaboration.”

Knowing what is going on at the bottom of the stack at the hardware level is crucial in developing a holistic quantum error correction strategy. “Working on the open-source, full stack quantum computer allows us to explore possible optimization protocols to maximize the potential of quantum hardware. Seeing the full stack of the quantum computer is important,” said Yard. He recently founded QuScript, a full-stack quantum development company, and understands the algorithms for implementing error correction. “The theory behind fault tolerance is extremely mathematical, and QuScript contributes a specialized theoretical lens to the working group.”

With expertise from all three partners forming the Error Correction working group, the development of a logical qubit is on the horizon–a key piece of the puzzle required for the realization of a fault tolerant quantum computer.

“We have all of the building blocks for a fault tolerant quantum computer,” said Bandic. “Now we need to put them together.”

Innovation through open source

“The Error Correction working group is one of a kind when it comes to quantum error correcting collaborations. The fact that it is top to bottom, from theory to hardware implementation, and that it is all happening in an open-source environment is truly unique,” said Melko. “The beauty of open-source is that all members contribute their ideas to the working group, and the direction, including the high level strategy, is developed collaboratively.”

In addition to advancing technology, the working group is positioned to build the foundation for open standard protocols for future fault tolerant quantum computers. Like the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) suite of communication protocols created in 1983 that became the standard for connecting devices over the internet, open-source can fuel commercialization by establishing non-proprietary protocols that allow other technologies to build on and integrate with.

“We hope to build not only a quantum error correction strategy for OQD’s quantum computer, but to develop error correcting strategies that could be used on any quantum computer,” explained Melko. “These could become the open standard protocols for quantum error correction and fault tolerant quantum computing, and pave the way to uncovering practical uses for a quantum computer.”

From a scientific discovery perspective, studying quantum error correction could lead to applications beyond the demonstration of a fault tolerant quantum computer and shed light on various fields of study from black hole physics to condensed matter physics.

And, with the Error Correction working group’s progress documented through the open-source approach, the global quantum community as a whole will benefit.