The Week in Quantum Computing - February 26th 2024 - Quantum cures cancer? Quantum for explaining AI and AI for optimizing Quantum, Apple goes PQC
Issue #174
The Week in Quantum Computing. Brought to you by Sergio Gago (@piratecto).
Quick Recap
In Catalonia, Spain, physicist Ignacio Cirac is advocating for the development of a quantum technology hub, similar to Munich Quantum Valley. Engineers at UNSW Sydney have been able encoding quantum information in four unique ways within a single antimony atom inside a silicon chip. Finland continues to push in the quantum computing ecosystem with companies like IQM and SemiQon. IQM just set new benchmarks on its 20-qubit quantum computer, demonstrating a two-qubit gate fidelity of 99.51% across 30 qubit pairs (not a lot on interconectivity though). In Australia, the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre is integrating NVIDIA's CUDA Quantum platform into its National Supercomputing and Quantum Computing Innovation Hub. Also in Australia NEC and D-Wave are also expanding their quantum offerings to the market through a partnership.
South Carolina has made a substantial $15 million investment in quantum computing, marking the state's largest-ever tech initiative. While the Governor of Illinois adds $500M to their quantum budget. It seems the US has an internal “quantum civil war” to get both federal and state funding.
Zapata, the Quantum company that went all AI in collaboration with Insilico Medicine, the University of Toronto, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, developed a generative model running on quantum hardware potentially outperforming classical models in generating viable cancer drug candidates. AI/ML also helps companies like Q-Ctrl in error reduction and circuit optimization. Researchers have also used AI (AlphaTensor) to reduce the number of T-Gates in a circuit. All fantastic examples on how AI can help Quantum. But Quantum inspired methods can also help with AI explainability in a new paper from Multiverse. For now, quantum inspired because a lot of the errors come from cosmit rays. A group of researchers from MIT found that cosmic rays are responsible for nearly a fifth of all difficult-to-correct errors in quantum computers.
Lastly, and connecting with the MWC in Barcelona, a solid PQC strategy seems to be fundamental. Singapore government warns their banks to start their PQC strategy and Apple just released a post quantum secure update to iMessage, adding PQ3 in their encryption mechanisms. Apple has been traditionally silent in quantum and this is the first push they make on this giving a mainstream encryption to all their devices.
The Week in Quantum Computing
Catalunya is an excellent place for quantum technologies - Interview with Ignacio Cirac
Physicist Ignacio Cirac, involved in the creation of Munich Quantum Valley, supports the development of a similar quantum technology hub in Catalonia, Spain. He highlights Catalonia's strong foundation in basic quantum technologies and entrepreneurial ecosystem. However, he also notes the challenges, including modest budgets and the lack of a large industry interested in quantum technologies. Cirac believes quantum technologies, such as quantum sensors and communications, are advanced enough to have industrial applications. However, quantum computing still requires significant research. He emphasized that Catalonia, with the right government and societal support, is an excellent place to invest in quantum technologies.
Quantum computing engineers perform multiple control methods in just one atom
Engineers at UNSW Sydney have successfully encoded quantum information in four unique ways within a single antimony atom, inside a silicon chip, as per a paper in Nature Communications. This achievement could address challenges in operating millions of quantum computing units in a small area of a silicon quantum computer chip. The team, led by Irene Fernandez de Fuentes and Professor Andrea Morello, used the 16 quantum states of an antimony atom, offering the same number of states as four coupled qubits. The team demonstrated that all four control methods can be applied in the same silicon chip, providing flexibility in designing future quantum computing chips.
https://phys.org/news/2024-02-quantum-multiple-methods-atom.html
Inside Finland’s state-of-the-art quantum computing hardware ecosystem
Finland has emerged as a leader in the quantum computing ecosystem, with companies like IQM and SemiQon pioneering advancements in quantum technology. Founded in 1965, the Low Temperature Laboratory (LTL) at Aalto University laid the groundwork for this ecosystem. IQM, Europe's leading quantum hardware company, is developing AI applications for quantum computers. SemiQon, a spinout from Finland's state-owned VTT, is developing silicon-based semiconducting quantum processors. Bluefors, another Finnish company, is the global market leader in cooling systems for quantum computers. Despite the quantum computing market's potential to grow to $203.1bn by 2032, these startups face challenges in securing funding and navigating the current NISQ-era of high error rates and limited qubits.
https://thenextweb.com/news/finland-quantum-computing-hardware-ecosystem
NVIDIA accelerates quantum computing exploration at Pawsey Supercomputing Centre
Australia's Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre is set to integrate NVIDIA's CUDA Quantum platform, powered by the Grace Hopper Superchips, into its National Supercomputing and Quantum Computing Innovation Hub. This move will enhance the Centre's quantum computing research capabilities. The Perth-based researchers will utilize CUDA Quantum, an open-source hybrid quantum computing platform with advanced simulation tools, to drive significant breakthroughs in the field of quantum computing.
NEC and D-Wave Introduce New Quantum Offerings to Australian Market
NEC Australia and D-Wave Quantum Inc., are expanding their quantum offerings to the Australian market. The collaboration aims to drive innovation in quantum computing, which has transformative potential across various industries. The partnership will leverage NEC's expertise in supercomputing and D-Wave's specialization in quantum computing to provide comprehensive solutions to clients. This venture signifies a crucial step in the evolution of quantum technology, promising to revolutionize the computational landscape.
Quantum computers are constantly hampered by cosmic rays
Cosmic rays are responsible for nearly a fifth of all difficult-to-correct errors in quantum computers, according to a study led by Patrick Harrington at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The team monitored an array of 10 superconducting qubits for 11 days and found that 17% of the errors were due to cosmic rays. In a separate study, Xue-Gang Li at the Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences also identified errors occurring at the same time as cosmic rays were detected. Both teams suggest that rearranging the layout of superconducting components and using different materials for qubits could help mitigate these errors. However, Matt McEwen at Google notes that more work needs to be done to develop cosmic ray-resistant quantum computers.
One of those transformational investments: $15M brings quantum computing to SC
South Carolina has made a significant $15M investment into quantum computing, marking the state's largest-ever tech initiative. The funding, advocated by Senator Dick Harpootlian, enables students at the University of South Carolina to access a quantum computer remotely to solve complex problems. This initiative is overseen by the newly formed South Carolina Quantum Association, with its Executive Director, Joe Queenan, emphasizing the importance of educating students in this emerging technology. The investment aims to keep these trained students within the state, contributing to the economy and workforce. Recently, a team of students placed third in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s annual quantum hackathon, showcasing the potential of this investment.
IQM Quantum Computers achieves a new benchmark result on 20-qubit quantum computer
IQM Quantum Computers, a global leader in building quantum computers, has set new benchmarks on its 20-qubit quantum computer. The company's Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) were key in achieving this feat. The 20-qubit processor demonstrated a two-qubit gate fidelity of 99.51% across 30 qubit pairs, with a maximum fidelity of 99.8% over a single pair. The system-level benchmarks include a Quantum Volume (QV) of 32, Circuit Layer Operations Per Second (CLOPS) of 2600, and a 20-qubit GHZ state with fidelity greater than 0.5.
https://meetiqm.com/resources/press-releases/iqm-achieves-20-qubit-benchmark-result/
For the First Time, Quantum-Enhanced Generative AI Generates Viable Cancer Drug Candidates
Zapata Computing, Inc., in collaboration with Insilico Medicine, the University of Toronto, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, has demonstrated the first instance of a generative model running on quantum hardware outperforming classical models in generating viable cancer drug candidates. The researchers developed novel KRAS inhibitors, a critical focus in cancer therapy, using generative AI models on a 16-qubit IBM device. The two molecules generated by the quantum-enhanced generative model showed superior binding affinity over those generated by classical models. The research, currently awaiting peer review, is a follow-up to a study published by the team in 2023, that first showed the promise of quantum generative AI for drug discovery.
Hybrid in your back garden
Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC) is integrating its quantum computing capabilities into colocation data centres, placing quantum computing at the heart of classical computing architecture. The company's latest Quantum Processing Unit (QPU), OQC Toshiko, is being deployed in these centres. The move is aimed at reducing latency between quantum and classical computation, addressing long-standing runtime challenges. OQC's collaboration with NVIDIA has seen the integration of the NVIDIA CUDA Quantum platform with OQC's quantum computers, facilitating hybrid quantum-classical experiments. OQC's strategy focuses on building infrastructure to support quantum computing in existing environments, leveraging the benefits of commercial data centres for scalability, data sovereignty, and security.
https://oxfordquantumcircuits.com/hybrid-in-your-back-garden
Quantum Economics: Could a New Economic Paradigm Be Guided by Quantum Models?
Mathematician and author David Orrell advocates for quantum economics, a model that critiques classical economic theories and their reliance on equilibrium models. Orrell explains that quantum economics, instead, uses models mirroring the complex and dualistic nature of economic elements, akin to wave-particle duality in quantum particles. He emphasizes that the quantum model is merely a mathematical tool, useful in studying the flow of information in economics. Quantum models' ability to handle uncertainty provides an edge in accuracy over classical models, improving financial modeling, decision-making processes, and market trend prediction. Orrell suggests that increasing awareness of quantum computing could have a halo effect on quantum economics, shifting how we think about economics.
Stevens Secures U.S Army Contract for Up to $15 Million to Revolutionize Quantum Technology
Stevens Institute of Technology has secured a five-year contract worth up to $15 million from the U.S. Army to revolutionize practical applications of quantum technologies. The project, led by physics professor Yuping Huang, will develop a cutting-edge computing platform for quantum information processing and artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative aims to bridge the gap between laboratory demonstrations and field-deployable systems, focusing on hybrid photonics and microelectronics neural networks to reduce power consumption and heat generation. The project involves six disciplines and is facilitated within Stevens’ Center for Quantum Science and Engineering. Huang's team will develop advanced quantum technologies for defense systems with superior size, weight, and power parameters.
Widefield diamond quantum sensing with neuromorphic vision sensors
A team from the University of Hong Kong, in collaboration with scientists from China and Germany, has developed a neuromorphic vision sensor that enhances the speed and resolution of widefield quantum sensing. The sensor mimics the human vision system, encoding changes in fluorescence intensity into spikes during optically detected magnetic resonance measurements, resulting in highly compressed data volumes and reduced latency. The team's experiment demonstrated a 13x improvement in temporal resolution. The technology holds potential for applications in monitoring dynamic processes in biological systems. The research was led by Professors Zhiqin Chu, Can Li, and Ngai Wong, and the findings were published in Advanced Science. The team believes this breakthrough could revolutionize widefield quantum sensing.
https://phys.org/news/2024-02-widefield-diamond-quantum-neuromorphic-vision.html
Illinois gov. adds $500 million to quantum computing quest
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is devoting half a billion dollars in his new budget to boost quantum computing.
Why it matters: The proposal is part of a sweeping quest to remake the state as a hub for the future of semiconductors, quantum and AI.
Zoom in: Pritzker tells Axios that he's carving out $200 million for a cryogenic facility — needed to keep quantum computing systems cool — as well as $100 million for the development of a quantum campus site and $200 million in matching funds.
https://www.axios.com/2024/02/21/illinois-jb-pritzker-quantum-computing-semiconductors
Diraq Opens New Commercial Laboratory in Sydney to Propel Era of Fault Tolerant Quantum Computing
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, February 21, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Diraq, a global leader in quantum computing using silicon ‘quantum dot’ technology, today announced the official opening of its new state-of-the-art commercial quantum computing laboratory located on the campus of UNSW in Sydney, Australia.
Equipped with cutting-edge technology and a team of talented scientists and engineers, the lab is a critical step in realising Diraq’s plans to leverage today’s semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure to produce silicon chips with billions of qubits – the fundamental computational units of quantum computing.
Paper: Utilizing Resource Estimation for the Development of Quantum Computing Applications
A research paper by Nils Quetschlich, Mathias Soeken, Prakash Murali, and Robert Wille suggests a solution to the limitations of current quantum computing hardware. They propose using Resource Estimation to evaluate quantum computing applications, allowing for consideration of real-world problem instances, exploring potential optimizations, and incorporating hardware development trends. This approach, they argue, enables users to explore the potential of future quantum computing applications even if the necessary hardware is not yet available. The team's work offers a way to circumvent the constraints of current quantum simulators and hardware, aiming to advance the development and assessment of quantum computing applications.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.12434v1
Apple starts rolling out quantum-proof encryption to iMessage
Apple will start rolling out a new encryption standard for iMessage that will help protect against efforts to crack its code by quantum computers, the company announced Wednesday.
Why it matters: Apple says this new protection is the strongest offered by any messaging system — even privacy-minded Signal — and it could keep hackers from being able to read stolen messages even as quantum computers improve their ability to defeat encryption.
What's happening: Apple will start offering a higher level of end-to-end encryption for iMessage as part of its next software update across iOS devices.
https://www.axios.com/2024/02/21/apple-quantum-encryption-imessage
Is hybrid encryption the answer to post-quantum security?
The concept of hybrid encryption, a combination of public-key and symmetric encryption, is receiving increased attention in the wake of the rollout of post-quantum algorithms developed through the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) post-quantum cryptography (PQC) competition. Tech giant Google has already begun using hybrid algorithms in Chrome and some servers. However, the approach has its critics, including the National Security Agency (NSA) and the UK's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), who cite increased complexity, decreased efficiency, and inconsistent structures as potential drawbacks. In contrast, national cryptographic agencies in France and Germany endorse the use of hybrid encryption.
Making Quantum Computing Cheaper and More Expensive-Reviewing Q-CTRL’s Fire Opal
Brian Siegelwax, an independent Quantum Algorithm Designer evaluated the cost-effectiveness of Q-CTRL’s Fire Opal application in quantum computing. Q-CTRL claims that Fire Opal can reduce quantum compute costs by 2,500 times, lowering a single run of a QAOA algorithm from $89,205 to $32. Siegelwax’s personal benchmarking confirmed Fire Opal's efficiency in reducing the number of iterations in the algorithm. However, he also discovered that Fire Opal can push quantum computing to its limits, executing larger circuits and algorithms that would otherwise fail, ironically making it more expensive due to its functionality. Siegelwax concludes that Fire Opal's cost is justified by its ability to actually work.
Husic extols value of Australian quantum industry
Industry Minister Ed Husic has emphasized the importance of quantum technology as the "future of made in Australia," during a speech at a Quantum Australia event. He highlighted the National Quantum Strategy, which aims to make Australia a global leader in quantum technology, potentially creating 20,000 jobs by 2045. Despite recent controversy over a secretive government procurement process favoring a US-based firm, PsiQuantum, Husic stressed the need for local commercialization of Australia's world-leading quantum research. Last year, Australian governments invested an estimated $893 million in quantum, including $18.5 million in grants for the Australian Centre for Quantum Growth. Quantum pioneer Professor Michelle Simmons, founder of Silicon Quantum Computing, won the Prime Minister’s 2023 Prize for Science.
https://ia.acs.org.au/article/2024/husic-extols-value-of-australian-quantum-industry.html
Singapore warns banks to prepare for quantum computing cyber threat
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has urged financial institutions to prepare for cybersecurity risks associated with quantum computing. Over the next decade, quantum computers are expected to break commonly-used asymmetric cryptography and require larger key sizes for symmetric cryptography. A DTCC white paper highlighted that quantum computing could make even highly protected systems vulnerable to hacking. MAS advises financial firms to achieve 'cryptoagility', enabling them to shift from vulnerable cryptographic algorithms to post-quantum cryptography without impacting their IT systems and infrastructure significantly.
Perceval: A Software Platform for Discrete Variable Photonic Quantum Computing
A team of researchers including Nicolas Heurtel, Andreas Fyrillas, and Shane Mansfield from Quandela SAS, along with colleagues from institutions like Paris Brain Institute and Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies, have introduced Perceval, an open-source software platform for simulating and interfacing with discrete-variable photonic quantum computers. The platform, which uses Python, allows for the composition of photonic circuits from basic building blocks and offers various computational back-ends optimized for different uses. Perceval, by reproducing a variety of photonic experiments and simulating quantum algorithms, aims to be a valuable toolkit for experimentalists, theoreticians, and application designers in the field of photonic quantum computing.
https://hal.science/hal-03874624
Revolutionizing Quantum Computing: How Copenhagen's New Quantum Foundry Aims to Lead the Global Race
Copenhagen's Quantum Foundry, backed by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF), is making strides in the global quantum computing race. Unlike competitors, the Foundry is focusing on Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV) based fabrication and packaging methods, addressing a significant challenge in quantum processor production. Collaborating with the NNF Quantum Computing Programme at the Niels Bohr Institute and other international partners, the Foundry aims to develop scalable quantum technology. The team, a diverse mix of scientists, engineers, and researchers, is actively seeking innovative minds. The Foundry's work holds global implications, potentially solving complex problems beyond classical computers' reach. The initiative is also positioning Denmark as a hub of innovation in quantum computing.
The Quest for Transparency: How Quantum-inspired Tensor Networks Can Revolutionize AI Explainability
Multiverse Computing has introduced a groundbreaking Matrix Product State (MPS) model that revolutionizes AI explainability. The tensor-network generative model offers a "white box" approach, providing clear, interpretable probabilities. The model excels in learning 'normal' behavior patterns, enabling precise flagging of 'abnormal' activities. It also offers capabilities like synthetic data generation and user-friendly risk tolerance analysis. MPS's advanced interpretability and synthetic data generation capabilities mark a significant leap in understanding complex AI decisions. The model's success in cybersecurity indicates its potential across various industries. The quantum-inspired MPS model sets new benchmarks in AI transparency, meeting the demand for transparency and enhancing the capability to generate synthetic data. The advancements signal a promising path toward more interpretable and reliable AI systems across various industries.
Computing with error-corrected quantum computers
IBM Quantum, in collaboration with Shehryar Sikander from Rutgers and Elia Portnoy from MIT, has made significant strides in the realm of error-corrected quantum computing. The team has developed a new method of encoding quantum information into error correcting codes, called the gross code, reducing the overhead previously required. The team's approach is based on qLDPC codes, a type of quantum low-density parity check code, which require fewer extra qubits for error correction. The researchers are now exploring the mathematical properties of geometric objects to run computations once the information is encoded. This exploration has revealed connections between the behavior of qubits arranged in quantum codes and matter itself, potentially leading to more efficient quantum computations.
https://www.ibm.com/quantum/blog/qldpc-codes
Securing the Telecoms Industry in a Post-Quantum Future
At MWC Barcelona 2024, the GSMA-supported Post Quantum Telco Network task force released the Post Quantum Guidelines for Telecom Use Cases, the first of its kind for the telecom industry. Established in 2022, the task force, consisting of over 55 companies and 23+ operators, aims to prepare telcos for the quantum era. The guidelines provide insights for cryptographic migration in telecom networks, with a focus on actionable advice and implementation. It examines use cases and architectures, emphasizing standardization, solution alignment, and performance testing. The task force urges immediate action to build and educate teams who understand quantum threats, impacts, and responses to ensure data security and integrity in the quantum future. Authors of the guidelines include Lory Thorpe (IBM), Luke Ibbetson (Vodafone), and Yolanda Sanz (GSMA).
https://www.gsma.com/newsroom/gsma_resources/securing-the-mobile-industry-in-a-post-quantum-future/
Government of Canada supports Xanadu to accelerate quantum computing research and education
The Government of Canada is providing financial support to Xanadu, a quantum computing firm, to expedite research and education in the field. The funding, amounting to $3.75 million CAD, is being extended through the Regional Quantum Initiative. This initiative aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of quantum technologies, thereby boosting Canada's position in the global quantum race.
IonQ Achieves Major Milestone in Quantum Networking with First Demonstration of Ion-Photon Entanglement
IonQ has announced a major technical milestone in its development of photonic interconnects, a core technology that could enable quantum networking between and within quantum computers. The company's quantum computers are based on trapped ions, which present challenges when scaling qubit counts. However, IonQ believes its first demonstration of ion-photon entanglement outside of an academic environment is a significant step towards overcoming these challenges. This achievement is part of a series of milestones that IonQ has outlined in its path to achieve large-scale, networked, multi quantum processing unit (QPU) systems.
https://www.hpcwire.com/2024/02/22/ionq-reports-advance-on-path-to-networked-quantum-computing/
FedDev Ontario invests $17 million in 12 companies to advance quantum computing
The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) has announced a repayable investment of C$17.2 million in 12 local firms, including AI Incorporated, CogniFrame, Crypto4A, and Xanadu, to commercialize their quantum products and support 150 jobs. The largest amount of funding went to High Q Technologies, a women-led life sciences company utilizing quantum-enabled systems for protein dynamics. The investment is part of FedDev Ontario’s Regional Quantum Initiative, which has committed $23 million over six years (2022-27) to assist companies in advancing and commercializing their quantum products. This follows the Canadian government's National Quantum Strategy, backed by a $360 million investment. The initiative underscores Canada's ambition to be a global leader in quantum technologies.
Paper: Quantum Circuit Optimization with AlphaTensor
A team of 13 researchers, including Francisco J. R. Ruiz, Tuomas Laakkonen, and Johannes Bausch, developed AlphaTensor-Quantum, a method for quantum circuit optimization. The method uses deep reinforcement learning to minimize the use of T gates, the most expensive gates in fault-tolerant quantum computation. AlphaTensor-Quantum outperforms existing methods in T-count optimization, discovering an efficient algorithm similar to Karatsuba's method for multiplication in finite fields. It also finds the best human-designed solutions for arithmetic computations used in Shor's algorithm and quantum chemistry simulation, demonstrating its ability to optimize relevant quantum circuits and save hundreds of research hours.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.14396v1
Unleashing TitanQ: Revolutionizing Problem-Solving with Quantum-Inspired Computing
Montreal-based infinityQ Technology Inc. has launched TitanQ, a Quantum-Inspired platform that offers up to 1000 times faster problem-solving capabilities than classical solvers. The platform features an advanced "Ising Machine", which draws inspiration from quantum mechanics to accelerate computational processes. TitanQ's user-friendly design allows seamless integration into existing systems without requiring specialized infrastructure. The platform also offers a robust Application Programming Interface (API) and a publicly available SDK. In line with sustainability goals, TitanQ is energy-efficient, contributing to environmentally conscious computing. The platform has diverse applications including scheduling, supply chain optimization, and energy grid optimization
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/unleashing-titanq-revolutionizing-problem-solving-145300763.html
Russia creates 20-qubit quantum computer by Rosatom
Russian scientists, under the guidance of Ruslan Yunusov, advisor to Rosatom CEO, have developed a 20-qubit quantum computer, surpassing their previous 16-qubit model presented to President Putin in 2023. The new computer is part of the country's roadmap on quantum computations, implemented on an ion platform. Additionally, a 25-qubit computer on a nuclear platform has been created, with plans for 50 to 100-qubit computers in the pipeline. Yunusov anticipates a 50-qubit model by year's end.