The Week in Quantum Computing. Brought to you by Sergio Gago (@piratecto).
Quick Recap
Curiosity, investment, and palpable progress this week in Quantum + Hype. Always mucho hype. Nvidia capitalizing on GPUs' application in quantum algorithms, indicative of a broader convergence between AI and quantum computing. Atlantic Quantum's revolutionary quantum architecture, constituting a game-changer in this area. IBM Quantum's pivot towards utility-scale quantum computing through its Quantum Eagle that now it is available in the open tier (so everybody can see its noise!). QubitSolve securing SBIR grants from the NSF, pointing towards quantum computing's industrial innovation potential. The formation of the PQC Coalition also signals the need to secure our digital future as quantum computing advances. IonQ’s unveiling of two new quantum computers suggests an increasing commercial viability of quantum technology, promising an integration of quantum tech into data centers within two years. With 18446744073709551616 quantum states no less. (Don’t bother finding the thousand sepparator there, that number is completely useless and a PR stunt.
Redstone kicks €52M fund for QC, and a couple of great articles. A very good tutorial on how to encode a Sudoku in a QAOA algorithm (I always use Sudokus as the nicest problem we can’t solve with QCs,) And random generation for high frequency trading.
The Week in Quantum Computing
"Quantum Computing Booms: Disruptive Progress, Massive Investments, and Growing Applications in AI and Auto Industry"
GPUs Transformed AI. Now They’re Here For Quantum.
In an advancement for quantum computing, companies have found a way to run complex quantum algorithms using GPUs, the same chips used for powering artificial intelligence. These chips, which played a key role in supporting generative AI, have driven companies like Nvidia to a trillion-dollar valuation. This alternative usage is gaining traction as a way to employ quantum software even though quantum hardware remains immature in its development. The implication is that the versatile utility of these chips is increasingly being recognized in the tech industry, leading to new explorations and surprising discoveries. This advancement in utilizing GPUs emphasizes the convergent journey of AI and quantum computing.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/gpus-transformed-ai-now-theyre-here-for-quantum-b4ecbeeb
QubitSolve Awarded Competitive Grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation
QubitSolve Inc. has secured a $275,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) for the research and development of computational fluid dynamics software for quantum computers. This grant will push the boundary in industries like aerospace, defense and automotive, where simulations optimize the performance designs, and negate the need for physical prototypes—saving both time and resources. Erwin Gianchandani, NSF Assistant Director for Technology, voiced the NSF's commitment to funding deep-tech startups. QubitSolve's CEO, Dr. Madhava Syamlal, expressed anticipation about the potential for quantum computers to provide speed and precision in simulations, thereby reducing costs and time. The funding underscores the growing interest in the potential of quantum computing to drive industrial innovation.
Global investment in quantum technology reaches historic high
Global investment in quantum technology reached a record high of $2.35 billion in 2022, marking a 1% growth YOY. McKinsey & Company reports that quantum start-ups have seen a significant rise in funding, with 68% of total investments recorded since 2001 occurring over the last two years. Major deals were witnessed among quantum firms SandboxAQ, Rigetti, D-Wave, and Origin Quantum last year. McKinsey anticipates the earliest economic impacts of quantum computing to benefit automotive, chemical, financial services, and life sciences industries, with potential gains of up to $1.3 trillion by 2035. Major countries like the US, EU, and Canada have increased investments in quantum R&D. IBM's recent unveiling of the Osprey quantum processor with 433 qubits indicates growing technological advancements in the field. Key take-away: Quantum technology, despite its infancy and potential over-hype, is drawing significant investments and evolving rapidly.
Practice quantum programming with the new PennyLane Challenges | PennyLane Blog
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This Quantum Computing Startup Is Taking On Google And IBM With A Fresh Technical Approach
Atlantic Quantum, an MIT spinoff start-up, is making notable advances in quantum computing technology, showcasing a fresh approach that challenges technologies by prominent players like IBM and Google. Leveraging a distinct quantum architecture, its circuits produce considerably fewer errors compared to conventional industry standards. It demonstrated a 99.9% accuracy with a two-qubit circuit but aims to scale to several million qubits eventually, exceeding current IBM's record of 433 qubits. Atlantic Quantum, co-founded by CEO Bharath Kannan, recently secured a $1.25 million contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory for quantum processors and held ownership of several key patents fortifying its competitive position in the market. Its new architecture development may simplify quantum computing and expedite its adoption in real-world applications.
Build utility-scale quantum applications with the updated Open Plan and IBM Quantum Credits
IBM Quantum has initiated utility-scale quantum computing with its 127-qubit Quantum Eagle processor, aiming to venture into previously unattainable computational problems. The company has transitioned its IBM Quantum Premium and Pay-As-You-Go plans and is solely focusing on quantum systems with over 100 qubits. IBM seeks to target users to start trials on their systems via the updated Open Plan offering and new IBM Quantum Credits. Open plan users gain up to 10 minutes of IBM Qiskit Runtime access monthly, for experiments on these large-scale quantum systems. For supplementary usage, users can opt for the Pay-As-You-Go Plan or an institutional subscription to the Premium Plan. Furthermore, IBM Quantum is offering limited Quantum Credits to researchers developing remarkable quantum utility projects. Key takeaway: IBM Quantum's upgraded plans and credit system underpin large-scale quantum computing efforts, catalyzing breakthrough solutions in diverse sectors.
https://research.ibm.com/blog/utility-scale-quantum-credits
Quantum Computing in Automotive Market worth $5,203 million by 2035 – Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets™
MarketsandMarkets™ projects substantial growth in the Quantum Computing in Automotive Market, forecasting an increase from USD 143 million in 2026 to USD 5,203 million by 2035, a CAGR of 49.0%. Rapid advancements in quantum computing technology with a strong focus on complex automotive applications are driving this growth. Route planning and traffic management are initial focal points among automotive players for quantum computing applications. Companies like Volkswagen, Daimler, BMW, Hyundai, Ford, and General Motors have started adopting quantum computing technology for multiple applications. IBM Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, D-wave systems, Amazon, Alphabet Inc., Rigetti & Co, LLC, and PASQAL are major players contributing to this market. The key takeaway is the anticipated surge in the value of quantum computing in the automotive sector, primarily driven by technological advancements and strategic collaborations.
Tech Giants Launch Post-Quantum Cryptography Coalition
A new consortium named the Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Coalition has been launched, with founding members including tech giants Microsoft, IBM Quantum, MITRE, PQShield, SandboxAQ, and the University of Waterloo. The coalition aims to facilitate the adoption of PQC in commercial and open-source technologies. MITRE's Charles Clancy emphasizes that though quantum computers are not yet present, their potential arrival poses significant security threats and opportunities. The PQC Coalition plans to cooperate with institutions like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) PQC Migration Project, promoting four workstreams for standards, education, coding, and cryptographic agility. The key take away is that as the era of quantum computing approaches, efforts are being made to ensure our digital systems can withstand potential threats.
https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/tech-giants-postquantum/
IonQ Unveils Forte Enterprise and Tempo, Rack-Mounted Enterprise-Grade Quantum Computers for Today’s Data Center Environments
IonQ, a pioneer in the quantum computing industry, has unveiled two new quantum computers, IonQ Forte Enterprise and IonQ Tempo. The AQ 35 Forte Enterprise is designed for complex computational tasks such as quantum machine learning and correlation analysis. The AQ 64 Tempo, a highly-anticipated system, is projected to surpass classical computing simulations' capabilities. CEO Peter Chapman anticipates that within two years, quantum technology will be integrated with existing data center hardware, offering a commercial edge. IonQ also announced contracts with QuantumBasel for establishing a European quantum data center. The key takeaway is that quantum computing is becoming increasingly accessible with advancements like IonQ's new enterprise-ready systems.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ionq-unveils-forte-enterprise-tempo-142000669.html
Qiskit Global Summer School 2023
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOFEBzvs-VvqoeIypXYLLf0PY-WOQMLR3
What’s the Difference Between Today’s Cryptography and Post-Quantum Cryptography?
The rise of quantum computing is expected to disrupt online security, leading to the development of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), a next-gen security scheme resilient to even highly powerful quantum computers. The current encryption algorithms, RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), secure most of the digital world. However, Shor's algorithm, capable of running on quantum computers, could quickly deconstruct RSA and ECC, endangering these encryption methods' security. Experts estimate that a quantum computer could break a 2048-bit RSA key, which would take a billion years with a classical computer, in just 100 seconds. To counter these potential threats, scientists and engineers are developing post-quantum cryptographic algorithms like lattice-based cryptography, code-based cryptography, hash-based cryptography, and multivariate cryptography. They are focusing on developing encryption methods robust enough to thwart the computational superiority of quantum computers.
https://www.btq.com/blog/difference-between-cryptography-post-quantum-cryptography
A new kind of chip for quantum technology
A University of Washington team led by quantum technology expert Prof. Arka Majumdar has successfully demonstrated the potential of a novel silicon photonic chip for quantum simulation, detailed in their paper published in Nature Communications. The silicon photonic chip, developed at the Washington Nanofabrication Facility, demonstrates key advantages, being scalable, measurable, and programmable. A significant innovation is the development of a "photonic coupled cavity array" which allows precise control of photon circuits. Challenges remain, notably creating an equivalent particle interaction to achieve required "nonlinearity". Graduate team member Abhi Saxena, now at National Institute of Standards and Technology, emphasized the inherent production advantages of the silicon photonic chip due to its compatibility with established CMOS silicon fabrication processes. Key takeaway: this breakthrough places silicon photonic chips at the forefront of the race to create practical, scalable quantum simulators.
https://phys.org/news/2023-09-kind-chip-quantum-technology.html
New spin-squeezing techniques let atoms work together for better quantum measurements
Researchers at JILA, a joint institute of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado Boulder, have developed new "spin-squeezing" techniques that improve the precision of quantum measurements. By enabling atoms to work more effectively in groups - "entangling" them - these methods reduce quantum noise and expedite results. The team conducted an experiment with 51 calcium ions and used lasers and external magnetic fields to create a special entangled "cat state". This is crucial for measurement science, as Ana Maria Rey, a theoretical physicist and JILA/NIST Fellow, explained: "Entanglement is the holy grail of measurement science". Another experiment involved using 140 strontium atoms, resulting in improved precision below the standard quantum limit. These techniques could significantly impact quantum sensors, atomic clocks and fundamental physics tests.
https://phys.org/news/2023-09-spin-squeezing-techniques-atoms-quantum.html
Fault-Tolerant One-Bit Addition with the Smallest Interesting Colour Code
Scientists, led by Yang Wang and Ben Criger, have successfully implemented a fault-tolerant one-bit addition quantum algorithm on the Quantinuum H1-1 quantum computer using the [[8,3,2]] colour code. This method, based on stabilizer codes, has proved to be superior in suppressing error rates in quantum calculations. It reduces the number of error-prone two-qubit gates and measurements to 36 whilst bypassing the need for intricate error correction methods. Errors were recorded at a rate of ~1.1 x 10^-3 for the fault-tolerant circuit, a marked improvement compared to 9.5 x 10^-3 for the unencoded circuit. This advancement significantly lessens the overhead, making near-term implementation feasible. The key takeaway: smart quantum algorithms can drive effective fault mitigation in quantum computing.
https://scirate.com/arxiv/2309.09893
Solving a Sudoku as a Coloring Problem using Qiskit and QAOA
In a recent technological experiment, David Morcuende used IBM's Qiskit and the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) to solve a Sudoku puzzle. Sudoku's complexity was characterized as a coloring problem, critical for QAOA applicability. By treating the grids as nodes and considering rules as edges, tasks were translated into QUBO (Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization), a recognizable format for the quantum computers. Constraints for Sudoku were then designed to generate the QUBO representation. Morcuende utilized the QAOA, a quantum algorithm that approximates solutions to combinatorial optimization problems, to navigate the massive solution space of Sudoku. Finally, the COBYLA optimizer was employed, a gradientless optimizer perfectly suited for quantum computations. It showcases the potential of quantum computing in solving optimization problems, emphasizing the power and finesse demonstrated by Qiskit and QAOA in tackling intricate tasks.
https://morcu.medium.com/solving-a-sudoku-as-a-coloring-problem-using-qiskit-and-qaoa-ef27720a85b0
Redstone announces quantum push with new €52m VC fund
Germany's Redstone is initiating a quantum technology focus with a new €52m venture capital fund, of which €20m has already been closed. The fund, which expects a full close within six months, is targeting quantum computing, sensing, and communications startups from seed to Series A. The fund is launched in partnership with Swiss quantum accelerator QAI Ventures and includes an investment portion for startups emerging from QAI’s program. Investment tickets range from €500k to €1.5m, with the fund planning around 20 investments over the next decade. A key figure on Redstone's investment team, quantum physicist Chiara Decaroli, emphasizes quantum computing's potential to revolutionize various industries. The investment strategy is adaptive, evolving with the rapidly-progressing quantum technology landscape.
https://sifted.eu/articles/redstone-quantum-fund-news/
PsiQuantum targets first commercial quantum computer in under six years
PsiQuantum's CEO, Jeremy O’Brien, anticipates the company will deliver its first practical quantum computing system in under six years, significantly ahead of industry predictions that placed practical quantum computing a decade or more away. This has been made possible due to groundbreaking work with chip manufacturing partner, GlobalFoundries, and a partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to develop advanced refrigeration systems. Using SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory facilities, the quantum modules will be cooled almost to absolute zero. The Palo Alto-based start-up, valued at $3.15 billion with investments totalling $700 million so far, aims to emulate a data center by stringing together numerous quantum modules. O'Brien highlighted the need to reach approximately 1 million quantum bits, or qubits, to produce a practical product. Key takeaway: PsiQuantum accelerates the timeline for practical quantum computing, potentially outpacing giants in the tech industry.
IonQ Announces New $25.5M Quantum Deal with United States Air Force Research Lab
IonQ, an industry leader in quantum computing, has expanded its relationship with the United States Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) through a $25.5M deal. The collaboration aims to deploy two barium-based trapped ion quantum computing systems for quantum networking research and application development at AFRL's location in Rome, NY. The initiative follows an upswing of activity by the U.S. federal government supporting quantum technology development, including the 2018 creation of the National Quantum Initiative (NQI). IonQ's CEO Peter Chapman stated that their systems, approaching 64 algorithmic qubits, will significantly advance US defense technologies while advancing quantum communications and computing. The key takeaway of this initiative is the continued focus and investment in quantum technology to enhance national security.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ionq-announces-25-5m-quantum-152100488.html
Quantum repeaters use defects in diamond to interconnect quantum systems
MIT Lincoln Laboratory's Optical and Quantum Communications Technology Group is tackling the challenge of networking delicate quantum systems. Quantum information bits (qubits) are known to degrade over distances, making their transfer similar to a distorted game of telephone. Quantum computing chips currently hold approximately 100 qubits, yet to achieve true quantum computation breakthrough, billions of qubits are needed. As a solution, researchers propose interconnecting quantum chips. Moreover, quantum sensors sharing quantum information could enhance precision in locating radio-frequency emission sources. Space and defense agencies express interest, hoping to leverage the technology for satellite-based position, navigation, and timing systems. The identified roadblock is that qubits cannot be copied without damaging their quantum state, hence the exploration of quantum repeaters, which tackle this challenge by leveraging quantum entanglement. However, development progress is limited as a fully functional quantum repeater has not yet been realized.
https://phys.org/news/2023-09-quantum-defects-diamond-interconnect.html
Cloudflare now uses post-quantum cryptography to talk to your origin server
Cloudflare has announced its use of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) for the connection to origin servers, strengthening its security against quantum computers' decryption threat. Post-quantum cryptography became significant after the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) selected Kyber as its quantum key agreement in July 2022. As of October 2022, X25519+Kyber was made available as a beta version for all websites and APIs. The implementation of PQC started its roll-out and is expected to reach 100% for all outbound connections, like origin servers, by the end of 2024. Users can opt in or out of this PQC using an API. The key takeaway is that Cloudflare is taking necessary precautions to meet future security requirements by adopting post-quantum cryptography for their communication channels.
https://blog.cloudflare.com/post-quantum-to-origins/
Using an RPU for High Frequency Trading in the cloud – Quside
https://quside.com/case/using-a-rpu-for-high-frequency-trading-in-the-cloud/