Explainers
Why the Surface Code Wins for Now: How Hardware Connectivity Shapes Quantum Error Correction
The surface code has become the practical choice for near-term quantum computers because its local connectivity requirements align with current hardware capabilities, particularly superconducting circuits. This hardware-driven decision framework highlights the trade-off between a code's error-correcting power and its demands on physical qubit interactions.
Marcus Cole·October 18, 2026
