The Fourth Nine: Plugging the Leaks in Quantum Computing

In this high-stakes episode of the Qubit Value podcast, we explore the seismic shift that turned 2026 into the year of "Industrial Quantum." Moving beyond the hype of qubit counts, the conversation centers on the revolutionary fourth nine—the breakthrough 99.99% fidelity achieved by trapped ion systems that has effectively "plugged the leaks" in quantum information. We break down the strategic move to Barium-137, which allows for room-temperature operations and the use of standard telecom grade optics, and discuss how industry giants are fortifying their futures by acquiring entire semiconductor foundries to secure sovereign supply chains. From accelerating life-saving drug discovery with AstraZeneca to training the AI brains of Hyundai’s autonomous vehicles, this episode reveals how refined, stable ions are winning the race to build the first truly useful quantum supercomputers.