Light-Based Quantum Computer Exceeds Fastest Classical Supercomputers

More indications of increases in quantum computing speed,  when applied to particular kinds of problems.  But this does not mean this is available yet,  but in a quantum future when fault tolerant quantum computers of sufficient capacity are available 

Light-Based Quantum Computer Exceeds Fastest Classical Supercomputers

Scientific American  by Daniel Garisto

Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) have for the first time coaxed a quantum computer composed of photons to outperform the fastest classical supercomputers. The Jiuzhan system executed Gaussian boson sampling, detecting 76 photons versus classical supercomputers' previous record of five. Jiuzhan combines lasers, mirrors, prisms, and photon detectors, and its achievement is only the second demonstration of quantum primacy to date. UTSC's Chao-Yang Lu said independent corroboration that quantum computing principles can enable primacy on totally different hardware "gives us confidence that in the long term ... useful quantum simulators and a fault-tolerant quantum computer will become feasible."