The Week in Quantum Computing - March 22nd
Issue #28
The Week in Quantum Computing. Brought to you by Sergio Gago (@piratecto) and The Quantum World Association.
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Quick Recap
Quantum Computers used for picking stocks, improvements on chemistry including an advance over the Quantum Phase estimation algorithm. More computers open in the cloud and advances in nano photonics. Advances in the QML side, from improving how to save ourselves from barren plateaus to reinforced learning. Qiskit releases metal for designing superconducting qubits.
The Quote of the Week
"When I read now about processors and the huge numbers of instructions they can process a second, well, it's amazing"
Jean Bartik - computer scientist, one of the original programmers for the ENIAC computer.
Featured Content
Quantum Definitions (by @quantumfyed)
The folks at @quantumfyed are creating amazing infographies explaining quantum mechanics and quantum computing concepts. We will be posting some of them here. Follow them for great content: Twitter: https://twitter.com/quantumfyed and Instagram: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quantumfyed/
The Summary of the Week
How Quantum Computing Could Remake Chemistry
In my career as a chemist, I owe a huge debt to serendipity. In 2012, I was in the right place (IBM’s Almaden research lab in California) at the right time—and I did the “wrong” thing.
Link: https://ift.tt/2OYBP88
March 15, 2021 at 07:33PM
Are quantum computers good at picking stocks? This project tried to find out
The researchers ran a model for portfolio optimization on Canadian company D-Wave's 2,000-qubit quantum annealing processor, comparing the results to those obtained with classical means.
Link: https://ift.tt/3tAO1vd
March 15, 2021 at 09:33PM
Nanophotonics Could Be the ‘Dark Horse’ of the Quantum Computing Race, New Paper Says
The race to build the first practical quantum computers looks like a two-horse contest between machines built from superconducting qubits and those that use trapped ions. But new research suggests a third contender—machines based on optical technology—could sneak up on the inside.
Link: https://ift.tt/3qTaZeV
March 15, 2021 at 09:33PM
Sandia Announces Rare Open-Access Quantum Computer Now Operational
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., March 15, 2021 — A new Department of Energy open-access quantum computing testbed is ready for the public. Scientists from Indiana University recently became the first team to begin using Sandia National Laboratories’ Quantum Scientific Computing Open User Testbed, or QSCOUT.
Link: https://ift.tt/3tlB1t2
March 16, 2021 at 09:33PM
Smart quantum technologies for secure communication
Researchers from Louisiana State University have introduced a smart quantum technology for the spatial mode correction of single photons. In a paper featured on the cover of the March 2021 issue of Advanced Quantum Technologies, the authors exploit the self-learning and self-evolving features of artificial neural networks to correct the distorted spatial profile of single photons.
Link: https://ift.tt/3vyOqQC
March 17, 2021 at 08:33AM
When memory qubits and photons get entangled
Quantum systems originate from the world of particles and smallest structures and may be relevant for future technologies. If different quantum information carriers (quantum nodes) are interconnected by quantum channels, researchers speak of quantum networks.
Link: https://ift.tt/2OGICUn
March 17, 2021 at 11:33AM
What’s under the hood of a quantum computer?
When most people sit down at their computers to work, they’re thinking about all the things they need to get done; far from mind is any consideration of how their keystrokes and mouse clicks are translated into logic operations and electrical signals. That separation between hardware and user interface is the product of decades of development. Now quantum computer developers are navigating similar terrain.
Link: https://ift.tt/3tqL4wW
March 18, 2021 at 08:33AM
Republicans Put Forth Two Quantum Computing Bills
House Republicans reintroduced two pieces of legislation to help drive new U.S.-led developments across quantum information science.
This emerging, but lately in-the-spotlight field investigates phenomena at the atomic scale—and many think it could underpin transformational science, engineering and communication applications in the not-so-distant future.
“We can’t overstate the importance of quantum information science. It will revolutionize our relationship with technology and our capacity for scientific progress,” Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., said Monday. “Developing our capacities in this field requires a strategic effort with strong federal investment and active public-private partnerships.”
Link: https://ift.tt/3qSsGvd
March 18, 2021 at 08:33AM
Sweden’s Quantum Computer Project Shifts up a Gear and Sets Higher Goals
Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation is almost doubling the annual budget of the research initiative Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology, based at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden. This will allow the center to shift up a gear and set even higher goals – especially in its development of a quantum computer. Two international workshops will kick-start this new phase.
Link: https://ift.tt/3bXh1qQ
March 18, 2021 at 12:33PM
New efficient quantum algorithm surpasses the Quantum Phase Estimation norm
Quantum computers have seen a lot attention recently as they are expected to solve certain problems that are outside the capabilities of normal computers.
Link: https://ift.tt/3vyFc6B
March 18, 2021 at 03:33PM
Viewpoint: EU will be ‘shooting itself in foot’ if it bars UK, Switzerland, Israel from quantum and space projects
Excluding researchers based in the UK, Israel and Switzerland from major EU quantum and space research projects would see the bloc “shoot itself in the foot”, according to German MEP Niklas Nienass, spokesman on space for the Parliament’s green group.
Link: https://ift.tt/3r3JAqJ
March 18, 2021 at 03:33PM
NTNU: First Norwegian centre for quantum technology is being rolled out
The race is on to get Norway ready for the next big technology revolution – quantum computers, and the first Norwegian centre for quantum technology is being rolled out. The global race to develop quantum computers is on.
Link: https://ift.tt/3vBuoVs
March 18, 2021 at 09:33PM
Scientists take step towards quantum supremacy
A Russian-German research team has created a quantum sensor that grants access to measurement and manipulation of individual two-level defects in qubits. The study by NUST MISIS, Russian Quantum Center and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, published in npj Quantum Information, may pave the way for quantum computing.
Link: https://ift.tt/3qXW8jx
March 19, 2021 at 08:33AM
Solving 'barren plateaus' is the key to quantum machine learning
A barren plateau is a trainability problem that occurs in machine learning optimization algorithms when the problem-solving space turns flat as the algorithm is run.
Link: https://ift.tt/30Yq2cR
March 19, 2021 at 09:33PM
Starting Today, Anyone Can Design Quantum Hardware with Qiskit Metal
Interested in designing quantum devices of your own? Learn how you can get started with Qiskit Metal and join our open source community by clicking here. Today, we officially released Qiskit Metal, our open source electronic design automation software for superconducting quantum computers.
Link: https://ift.tt/3vELXnz
March 19, 2021 at 11:33PM
KT Develops Quantum Encryption Technology to Protect Smartphones from Eavesdropping
SEOUL, March 11 (Korea Bizwire) — KT Corp., a major South Korean telecom operator, said Wednesday that it had developed new technology that prevents smartphone eavesdropping through the use of quantum encrypted voice data.
Link: https://ift.tt/390Qkj3
March 20, 2021 at 11:33AM
Quantum Computing and Reinforcement Learning Are Joining Forces to Make Faster AI
Deep reinforcement learning is having a superstar moment. Powering smarter robots. Simulating human neural networks. Trouncing physicians at medical diagnoses and crushing humanity’s best gamers at Go and Atari.
Link: https://ift.tt/3qMmapS
March 20, 2021 at 11:33AM
Launch of Sia Partners - Quantum Lab
We help Corporates across sectors harness the power of Quantum Technologies to solve their most challenging & valuable industry problems. We create exponential business value for corporates through crafting Quantum strategies & launching new ventures, powered by early-stage Quantum Technologies. We have successfully done so in industries such as Financial Services, Life Sciences, Healthcare, Energy, Aerospace, Automotive, Manufacturing & Retail.
Link: https://ift.tt/3c4kDHv
March 20, 2021 at 12:33PM