Benchmark

Shor's Algorithm Factoring Benchmark

Shor's factoring algorithm · Cryptography · 10 qubits · Qiskit, Cirq

Benchmark of Shor's quantum factoring algorithm on small semiprime instances. Current NISQ hardware can only factor very small numbers (N=15, N=21) with low success rates due to high error rates. GPU-based supercomputer simulations have assessed Shor's algorithm for larger numbers, finding average success probabilities above 50% due to high frequency of 'lucky' cases, with the largest simulated factorization reaching 549,755,813,701.

ShorfactoringRSAcryptographyfault-tolerant

Benchmark of Shor's quantum factoring algorithm on small semiprime instances. Current NISQ hardware can only factor very small numbers (N=15, N=21) with low success rates due to high error rates. GPU-based supercomputer simulations have assessed Shor's algorithm for larger numbers, finding average success probabilities above 50% due to high frequency of 'lucky' cases, with the largest simulated factorization reaching 549,755,813,701.

Key Metrics
Largest simulated factoring
549,755,813,701
NISQ capability
N=15, N=21 (low success)
Average success probability
>50% (lucky cases)
Why It Matters

Quantifies the massive gap between theoretical promise and NISQ reality for the most famous quantum algorithm, informing realistic timelines for cryptographic impact.

Hardware

IBM Quantum, photonic (experimental), GPU simulators

Framework

Qiskit, Cirq