The Week in Quantum Computing - January 29th. D-Wave, Terra Quantum and more superconductivity. Magic State Distillation, India gets a push and more.
Issue #171
The Week in Quantum Computing. Brought to you by Sergio Gago (@piratecto).
Quick Recap
The Indian quantum technology landscape is receiving a comprehensive review from Aspen Quantum Consulting, detailing government initiatives like the 80 billion INR National Mission for Quantum Technologies and Applications, and the roles of academic institutions and corporations. The National Quantum Mission in India is set to launch, with over 150 researchers and 40 institutions identified for engagement in quantum technologies. On the research front, a team has published their work on a compact microwave diode architecture in Nature Communications, demonstrating a significant difference between power levels transmitted in opposite directions. This opens up diverse opportunities in quantum information, microwave read-out, and optomechanics. Meanwhile, Microsoft's Azure Quantum Resource Estimator has been made open-source and integrated with the Modern Quantum Development Kit. Let me be clear: This is what enterprises need. Tools to give us a clear roadmap towards quantum advantage. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory has received three funding awards to enhance its quantum computing and networking capabilities. Thales has partnered with Quantinuum to launch the Post-Quantum Cryptography Starter Kit, aimed at preparing businesses for the next evolution in technology and security. The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science has inaugurated a new institute dedicated to the development of military quantum computing and sensing technology. Cisco is making progress in quantum networking, focusing on security applications like post-quantum cryptography. Zapata Computing leverages quantum physics mathematics to train generative AI models with less data. IBM researchers have demonstrated a proof of concept for a key element of error correction required for universal, fault-tolerant quantum computation. Magic state distillation. Lastly, Taiwan's research institute Academia Sinica has connected its first home-grown quantum computer to the internet. Ah, and D-wave has launched their Advantage2 with 1200 annealing qubits. (There used to be a time when annealing qubits had a different order of magnitude than gate based ones… but that gap is getting closer!). Lastly, Terra Quantum claimed they could have potentially observed a graphite based room temp superconductor. One more step in the superconductivity saga, we will watch this one closely!
How to hire a Quantum Engineer?
This week I’ve written a post on Linkedin that has gone full viral on how is the job interview of a quantum engineer (in our company). Welcome to all the new subscribers coming from there and thanks for joining!.
I thought it could be relevant for the rest of the readers to have it here.
- You will need to demonstrate great coding skills. Mainly in Python. That does not mean Jupyter. It means classes, modules, best coding practices, SOLID, etc. Testing frameworks, API management and other modules. Dependency management, etc. And of course advanced use of Git.
- You will ned to be able to deploy your code. I’m not looking for an expert in Kubernetes, but you should be able to containerize your app and deploy it to a cluster.
- You need to know the basics of computer science and how code works. Memory management, threads, unix, etc. Python can be a terrible language but you can make it better. Invest time in learning a bit of C, you will not regret it. (Perhaps Rust). Learn how queues work, pointers, race conditions, etc. Also learn how APIs work, sockets, authorisation mechanisms…
Now, to quantum
- It is not enough to know how to build an algorithm with Qiskit. For example Grover. Do it from scratch. Know what happens in each step. Why are you doing a reflection? What is happening in the oracle? Why are we repeating it 2, 3 or 4 times but not 5? This applies to all the foundamental algorithms. From Simon to QAE. (So please, go beyond the hackathon you did and the Qiskit Summer school)
- You need to understand and have a very good intuition of what happens in the circuit. Maybe you build your intuition with algebra. Maybe geometric, maybe you just… get it. But If I ask you what is going on in one of the parts, like why phase flip is doing that, you need to give a very clear answer.
- You need to be able to understand a paper clearly (generally speaking) and be able to code it. Take Brassard’s QAE original paper and code the actual circuit. Tweak it yourself, go gate by gate, implement variations. Then take the improvements that have been published over the years and code them as well. Then run them, benchmark them. Understand the errors and the quantum scalability concerns. And how you would improve it.
- You need to know how gate based quantum computing works, and how to build circuits that represent any quantum state. But also know other types of circuits like annealers or neutral atoms. Likewise, make sure you understand the different types of algorithm families. Oracle based, Variational based, etc. Understand the encoding challenges and its limitations.
The Week in Quantum Computing
India’s Quantum Ecosystem: AQC's New Comprehensive Report
Aspen Quantum Consulting (AQC) has released a comprehensive report on India's quantum technology landscape, the first of its kind since a NASSCOM report two years ago. Authored by Dr. Philip Nikolayev and Susmit Panda, the report details government initiatives like the National Mission for Quantum Technologies and Applications (NM-QTA), which received an 80 billion INR investment to develop advanced quantum technologies. It also highlights the role of academic institutions like IISc, IISERs, and IITs, and major corporations like Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services. Despite significant advancements, the sector faces challenges such as legal barriers and talent shortages. The report provides valuable insights for quantum professionals and investors interested in India's quantum situation.
https://www.aspenquantum.com/post/indian-quantum-ecosystem-report
Microwave quantum diode
Researchers Rishabh Upadhyay, Dmitry S. Golubev, Yu-Cheng Chang, George Thomas, Andrew Guthrie, Joonas T. Peltonen, and Jukka P. Pekola published their work on a compact microwave diode architecture in Nature Communications. The team leveraged the non-linearity of a superconducting flux qubit to demonstrate a significant difference between power levels transmitted in opposite directions. At -99 dBm input power, the transmission rectification ratio exceeded 90% for a 50 MHz frequency range from 6.81 GHz to 6.86 GHz, and over 60% for the 250 MHz range from 6.67 GHz to 6.91 GHz. This compact, easily scalable architecture opens up diverse opportunities in quantum information, microwave read-out, and optomechanics. The study represents a fundamental advancement in quantum engineering.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-44908-w
Design Fault Tolerant Quantum Computing applications with the open-source Resource Estimator
Microsoft's Azure Quantum Resource Estimator, a tool for designing Fault Tolerant Quantum Computing applications, has been made open-source and integrated with the Modern Quantum Development Kit (QDK), enhancing its speed by up to 100x. This tool aids in answering key questions about quantum algorithms, computing architectures, and qubit technologies. It can be used by researchers, algorithm developers, language compiler designers, and those working on error correction codes or qubit R&D. The Resource Estimator offers customization options and allows users to explore trade-offs between computation time and the number of physical qubits. This development accelerates the quantum computing research and development process, driving us closer to practical quantum advantage.
National Quantum Mission to take off on Saturday
The National Quantum Mission (NQM) in India is set to launch on Saturday, with over 150 researchers and 40 institutions identified for engagement in quantum technologies. The Centre is preparing to call for pre-proposals for setting up Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in quantum computing, communication, sensing & metrology, and materials & devices. An expert panel, the Mission Technology Research Council, will select the proposals and institutions. Approximately 15-20 proposals are expected, with about four selected for the T-Hubs. The NQM has been allocated about Rs 6,000 crores for eight years, with Rs 3,000 crore expected to go towards the four T-Hubs. Quantum computing will be the primary focus, with a funding expectation of Rs 1,000 crores.
Three recent funding awards bolster ORNL’s quantum leadership
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) recently received three funding awards to enhance its quantum computing and networking capabilities. One project, in collaboration with several universities, aims to develop a scalable quantum internet, leveraging ORNL's 300-kilometer "dark fiber" testbed. This project, dubbed PiQSci, will receive $6 million over three years. Another project, GRID-Q, focuses on integrating quantum technologies into the power grid, receiving $3.75 million over three years. The third, AQUEDUCT, will develop benchmarks for quantum computing utility, receiving $1 million over four years. ORNL's Corporate Fellow Nageswara Rao, distinguished research scientist Warren Grice, and researcher Suman Debnath are leading these projects. These initiatives will push the boundaries of quantum technologies, paving the way for more efficient and secure systems.
https://www.ornl.gov/news/three-recent-funding-awards-bolster-ornls-quantum-leadership
Thales and Quantinuum Launch Starter Kit to help Enterprises prepare for Post-Quantum Cryptography Changes Ahead
Global technology and security leader, Thales, has partnered with Quantinuum to launch the Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Starter Kit. This initiative aims to equip enterprises with the necessary tools to navigate impending changes in quantum computing. With this collaborative effort, Thales and Quantinuum are pioneering the transition to post-quantum cryptography, ensuring businesses are prepared for the next evolution in technology and security.
S. Korea opens military quantum computing technology institute
The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) has inaugurated a new institute dedicated to the development of military quantum computing and sensing technology. This venture, announced on Tuesday, is a state-run project aimed at advancing South Korea's military capabilities through quantum tech. The move underscores the growing global interest in leveraging quantum computing for defense applications.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240123002700315
Cisco sees headway in quantum networking, but advances are slow
Cisco is making progress in quantum networking, with focus on security applications like post-quantum cryptography (PQC), according to Liz Centoni, Cisco's executive vice president. PQC is expected to protect quantum computers from sophisticated attacks and will likely be the first practical development from quantum networking research. Vijoy Pandey, senior vice president of Cisco’s advanced research group Outshift, highlighted the urgency of this due to potential future threats from quantum computers. Cisco envisions quantum data centers and quantum-based networks, and is developing quantum repeaters and software simulators. However, the company acknowledges that it's still early days for quantum networking, with many challenges remaining.
Today's GenAI models are cost and energy pigs. Quantum tech could fix that.
Zapata Computing, a Harvard spin-off, leverages quantum physics mathematics to train generative AI models with less data, making it a potential solution to the high costs and energy consumption of current GenAI models. The company's technology has attracted clients like Andretti Racing and BMW, and Andretti is taking Zapata public via a SPAC. Zapata's technology requires 10 to 300 times less training data for equal or better accuracy, according to CEO Christopher Savoie. Despite the positive outlook, Zapata reported a loss of $23.4 million from operations in 2022. The development underscores the potential of quantum computing in making AI more efficient and cost-effective.
https://www.businessinsider.com/lower-cost-gen-ai-models-quantum-zapata-2024-1
Logical gates with magic state distillation
IBM researchers have demonstrated a proof of concept for a key element of error correction required for universal, fault-tolerant quantum computation, as revealed in a new paper, "Encoding a magic state with beyond break-even fidelity". They used dynamic circuits to create a magic state, an essential process for running logical gates, and found that the encoded magic state performed better than if directly coded into the physical qubits. This experiment, led by researchers including Riddhi S. Gupta and Neereja Sundaresan, opens a new area of research using dynamic circuits to prepare magic states, a significant step towards solving a major challenge in quantum computing - running high-fidelity logical gates on error-corrected qubits.
https://research.ibm.com/blog/quantum-magic-states
Cat Qubits and LDPC Codes, a New Step Towards Quantum Error Correction
Taiwan connects its first home-grown quantum computer to the internet
Taiwan's research institute Academia Sinica has connected its first home-grown quantum computer to the internet. The machine, which has been upgraded from three to five qubits, is available for use by the institute's project collaborators, which include the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The qubit logic gate fidelity of the machine was measured at 99.9%, indicating its stability. The development of this quantum computer is seen as a significant stride in Taiwan's quest to advance its quantum capabilities. This endeavor may also support US quantum development efforts. The focus is on harnessing quantum systems to ensure Taiwan's continued relevance in the semiconductor industry.
https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/24/taiwan_academica_sinica_quantum_computer/
A Moving Target for Quantum Advantage
The debate on when quantum computers will surpass classical computers is ongoing. Recently, a 127-qubit quantum computer calculated the dynamics of an array of tiny magnets (spins), a task that would take a classical computer an unfathomably long time. However, Joseph Tindall and his team at the Flatiron Institute demonstrated that a classical computer, using an algorithm based on a tensor network, can produce highly accurate solutions to the spin problem. In 2019, Google's 53-qubit Sycamore quantum computer performed a computation in 200 seconds that was predicted to take 10,000 years with a classical computer. Yet, researchers noted various ways to accelerate classical methods, reducing Google's quantum advantage. Quantum computing and classical computing continue to challenge each other, driving advancements in both fields.
https://physics.aps.org/articles/v17/13
Ampliphae, HPE Athonet and Arqit deliver Quantum-Safe Private 5G using Symmetric Key Agreement
Arqit Quantum Inc. and Ampliphae Ltd have successfully completed a project to deliver enhanced quantum-safe security for Private 5G networks. The SEViN-5G project, funded by Innovate UK, utilized Ampliphae's network security analytics technology and Arqit’s Symmetric Key Agreement Platform to create a quantum-secure Private 5G testbed. Athonet, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise acquisition, provided the Radio Access Network equipment, with a cloud core hosted on AWS. Arqit Founder, David Williams, and Ampliphae CEO, Trevor Graham, underscored the importance of quantum-safe Private 5G networks in the face of current and future cyber threats. The project concluded in December 2023 and customer engagement has begun.
DARPA Partially Funded Quantum Space Drive Orbital Test
DARPA is partially funding an orbital test of the Quantum Space Drive, a project spearheaded by IVO Limited. The CEO of IVO, Richard Mansell, is optimistic about the tests, which could potentially lead to propellentless thrust for floating cities and interstellar travel. The Quantum Space Drive has been in orbit for several months for testing, with DARPA contributing financially to ascertain its functionality. The propulsion system, based on the theory of Quantized Inertia, could offer 1000 times the efficiency of a Hall effect thruster without the need for fuel. The concept of Quantized Inertia was first proposed by Mike McCulloch at Plymouth University in 2007. A successful orbital test could revolutionize space travel within three decades.
https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2024/01/darpa-partially-funded-quantum-space-drive-orbital-test.html
Massachusetts Targets Statewide Quantum Ecosystem
Massachusetts is aiming to build a statewide quantum ecosystem, according to Informa PLC, a company registered in England and Wales. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to position the state as a global leader in quantum technology, an emerging field with significant potential for transforming computing and information processing. The move underscores the increasing global interest in quantum technology and the potential role of regional ecosystems in fostering its development and adoption. The implications of this initiative could be far-reaching, potentially positioning Massachusetts at the forefront of the quantum revolution.
https://www.iotworldtoday.com/quantum/massachusetts-targets-statewide-quantum-ecosystem
Quantum state preparation of normal distributions using matrix product states
Jason Iaconis, Sonika Johri, and Elton Yechao Zhu have published a study on quantum state preparation of normal distributions using matrix product states (MPS) in npj Quantum Information. The research focuses on the generation of quantum states encoding a class of normal probability distributions in a trapped ion quantum computer for up to 20 qubits. They provide an in-depth analysis of the different sources of error contributing to the overall fidelity of this state preparation procedure. The study offers a significant contribution to quantum hardware for scalable distribution loading, which underpins a wide range of algorithms that provide quantum advantage.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41534-024-00805-0
D-Wave Announces 1,200+ Qubit Advantage2 Prototype
D-Wave Quantum Inc., a leading quantum computing firm, has calibrated a 1,200+ qubit Advantage2 prototype, set to be integrated into their Leap real-time quantum cloud service. Developed using a lower-noise, multilayer superconducting integrated-circuit fabrication stack, this prototype showcases substantial performance gains, especially for machine learning applications. The Advantage2 prototype boasts 1,200+ qubits and 10,000+ couplers, doubling its predecessor's capacity. Key performance metrics, such as qubit connectivity, energy scale, and qubit coherence time, have also seen significant improvements. Mark W. Johnson, SVP of Quantum Technologies and Systems Products at D-Wave, acknowledges these advancements as a "giant step up in performance". The full Advantage2 system, D-Wave's sixth-generation quantum system, is expected to feature 7,000 qubits.
https://insidehpc.com/2024/01/d-wave-announces-1200-qubit-advantage2-prototype/
New Protocol Kills Dead Air for Quantum Communication
Researchers at LG Electronics have developed a novel protocol to enhance transmission rates and security in quantum communication. The protocol, published in Nature on January 9, addresses the limitations posed by the "dead time" and channel loss of single-photon detectors, crucial for Quantum Secure Direct Communication (QSDC). The protocol uses two optical degrees of freedom, time state and phase state, to encode information in quantum states. Compared to the existing DL04 QSDC protocol, the new protocol allows transmission of multiple bits of information in a single quantum state, leading to a significant improvement in transmission rates. "Our protocol doesn’t eliminate the dead time of detectors but ingeniously works around it," says Byungkyu Ahn, the lead researcher.
https://spectrum.ieee.org/quantum-communication-2667066423
New research unites quantum engineering and artificial intelligence
An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Chicago, UC Berkeley, MIT, Brandeis University and Freie Universität Berlin have published in Nature Communications their findings on incorporating quantum computing into classical machine-learning, potentially making it more sustainable and efficient. The team, including Prof. Liang Jiang and CQE IBM postdoctoral scholar Junyu Liu, designed quantum machine learning algorithms to address the high costs and carbon emissions of large-scale machine learning, like the $12 million training cost and 500 tons CO2 equivalent emissions of GPT-3. Their research suggests that quantum computing could reduce the data upload and download process without sacrificing efficiency, potentially contributing to state-of-the-art, large-scale machine-learning problems.
https://pme.uchicago.edu/news/new-research-unites-quantum-engineering-and-artificial-intelligence
Getting Ready for Post-Quantum Cryptography with . . . PCI 4.0?
The White House's National Security Memorandum on Promoting United States Leadership in Quantum Computing (NSM-10) has outlined measures to mitigate risks quantum computers pose to encryption. Once the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) releases new post-quantum cryptography (PQC) ciphers in 2024, federal agencies must take several actions, which private sector regulators are expected to adopt. Organizations subject to PCI DSS compliance must meet requirement 12.3.3 in PCI DSS 4.0 by March 31, 2025. This involves migrating to new cryptography, maintaining a cryptographic inventory, monitoring industry trends, and planning for migration. The adoption of NSM-10 in the private sector will catalyze a shift toward PQC readiness.
https://tcblog.protiviti.com/2024/01/16/getting-ready-for-post-quantum-cryptography-with-pci-4-0/
Room temperature superconductivity shown in graphite
Swiss researchers, led by Prof. Valerii Vinokur of Terra Quantum, have reported the first-ever observation of room temperature superconductivity in graphite. The research, published in Advanced Quantum Technologies, was carried out in collaboration with the Universidade Estadual de Campinas, University of Perugia, and SwissScientific Technologies. Terra Quantum has patented the approach, which Vinokur estimates could be 100 times more efficient than existing superconducting qubits. Markus Pflitsch, Terra Quantum founder and CEO, believes this discovery could lead to significant advancements in various industries, including quantum computing. Vinokur stated, "Room-temperature superconductivity opens a gateway to transformative advancements across industries."
https://www.eenewseurope.com/en/room-temperature-superconductivity-shown-in-graphite/
Tomorrow’s Quantum Computers Threaten Today’s Secrets. Here’s How to Protect Them
Digital security experts are tracking the Y2Q—“Years to Quantum”—clock, which estimates when a quantum computer will be able to break public-key cryptography, a vital part of modern security. Bruno Huttner, co-chair of the Quantum-Safe Security Working Group at the Cloud Security Alliance, warns of the serious implications if quantum computers emerge. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) initiated a contest in 2016 for post-quantum or quantum-resistant cryptography, with the winner being CRYSTALS-Kyber for public-key encryption. However, experts caution that future breakthroughs may still crack these codes. The Quantum Computer Cybersecurity Preparedness Act passed in 2022 underscores the urgency of transitioning to quantum-resistant algorithms. The race is on to secure our secrets before quantum computing becomes a reality.
New Texas Center Will Create Generative AI Computing Cluster Among Largest of Its Kind
The University of Texas at Austin is launching the Center for Generative AI, one of the most potent AI hubs in academia, powered by a new GPU computing cluster of 600 NVIDIA H100s GPUs. The Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) will host this cluster, known as Vista. The Center aims to collaborate with industry, healthcare organizations and public agencies to develop generative AI solutions. The Center will focus on biosciences, healthcare, computer vision and natural language processing and is co-led by the Cockrell School of Engineering and the College of Natural Sciences. Alex Dimakis, Director of the Center, emphasized the importance of academia in AI development.
The search for quantum algorithms
New quantum algorithms and AI approaches are testing the possibilities for quantum computing.
The big picture: Quantum computers promise to solve some problems more efficiently than classical computers, but delivering on that promise requires developing new algorithms that take advantage of quantum computers' unique abilities.
https://www.axios.com/2024/01/27/quantum-computing-ai-algorithms