The Week in Quantum Computing - October 30th - Atom Computing Exceeds 1,000 Qubits, Qubit Pharma Raises €16M, and Major Breakthroughs from AWS with Repeaters and 0.1ms in Charge Qubits
Issue #158
The Week in Quantum Computing. Brought to you by Sergio Gago (@piratecto).
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Quick Recap
Atom Computing has reached the 1,000 qubits milestone, marking a significant milestone in quantum computing and making it available by 2024. In the meantime IBM with error mitigation and the eagle chip with 127 qubits start looking at above-simulation problems. If you mix that with last week’s developments on error correction from QuEra. This truly looks at the FTQC era.
Qubit Pharmaceuticals, a company developing hybrid quantum-classical algorithms for drug discovery, has raised €16M in seed funding, bringing their total to over €23M. The AWS Center for Quantum Networking and the Harvard Quantum Initiative have developed a photonic interconnection technique that operates at cryogenic temperatures with a record low insertion loss of -0.4 dB. The Intel Quantum SDK Challenge is here. Jianming Wen, a Kennesaw State associate professor, received a $796,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to expand his quantum computing research. Oxford Ionics and the University of Oxford have developed a control architecture called WISE to address the wiring challenge in scaling up quantum computers. The US government has designated Chicago and Colorado as two of its 31 national tech hubs for quantum technology. QuEra Computing, a leader in neutral-atom quantum computers will participate in several DARPA IMPAQT grants. The Research Council of Finland has added the Finnish Quantum Flagship (FQF) to its flagship programme, with Aalto University as the coordinating institution. Don’t miss the latest piece of McKinsey on Quantum for finance either.
The Week in Quantum Computing
Qubit Pharmaceuticals: Shaping the Future of Hybrid Quantum Algorithms for Drug Discovery
Qubit Pharmaceuticals, founded by Louis Lagardère, Matthieu Montes, Jean-Philip Piquemal, Jay Ponder, Pengyu Ren, and CEO Robert Marino, is developing hybrid quantum-classical algorithms for drug discovery. The company has raised €16M in seed funding from Quantonation, XAnge, Omnes Capital, and Octave Klaba, totaling over €23M. Using quantum physics-inspired algorithms, Qubit aims to achieve unprecedented accuracy in drug design. Although quantum computing is still in early stages, Qubit is preparing by developing quantum algorithms and filing IPs. The company has developed a novel algorithm for variational quantum eigensolvers (VQE), a hybrid quantum-classical algorithm. The future of drug discovery stands to benefit from the application of quantum computing.
Marco Cerezo - A Unified Theory of Barren Plateaus for Deep Parametrized Quantum Circuits
Marco Cerezo, a renowned expert in the field of Quantum Computing, has developed a unified theory of barren plateaus for deep parametrized quantum circuits. The theory, presented in the video, provides a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and solutions associated with optimizing quantum circuits. Cerezo’s work is a significant step forward in the field, potentially helping to overcome some of the major hurdles in the practical implementation of quantum computing.
The quantum internet: A synergy of quantum information technologies and 6G networks
The quantum internet is a cutting-edge paradigm that uses the unique characteristics of quantum technology to radically alter communication networks. This new network type is expected to collaborate with 6G networks, creating a synergy that will fundamentally alter how we communicate, engage, and trade information. The improved security, increased speed, and increased network capacity of the quantum internet will lead to the emergence of a broad variety of new applications and services. https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1049/qtc2.12069
Introducing a new temperature-resistant packaging technique for optical devices
AWS Center for Quantum Networking, in collaboration with the Harvard Quantum Initiative, has developed a breakthrough photonic interconnection technique that withstands extreme temperature changes without additional losses. Published in Applied Physics Letters, this first-of-its-kind technology operates at cryogenic temperatures with a record low insertion loss of -0.4 dB (10%). The advancement is crucial for the center's goal to build a quantum repeater, which corrects photon loss without disrupting quantum information. This development could not only enable the construction of fundamental quantum network components, like deployable quantum repeaters, but could also enhance the speed and efficiency of classical telecom networks.
FuT3ch Symposium 2024
The FuT3ch Symposium 2024 is set to host the Intel Quantum SDK Challenge, inviting global scientists, researchers, and professionals to demonstrate their expertise in quantum computing. The competition, powered by Intel, aims to explore the potential of quantum technologies and push computational boundaries. The Challenge provides a platform for participants to showcase their creativity and innovation in the quantum computing field.
https://quantum.th-deg.de/event/2/page/5-intel-quantum-sdk-challenge
Kennesaw State playing role in making super-fast quantum computing a reality
Kennesaw State associate professor, Jianming Wen, is developing a new form of quantum computing, which promises faster and more secure performance than existing supercomputers. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has granted Wen $796,000 to expand his quantum computing research, making Kennesaw State one of 22 universities to receive funding through the NSF's $38 million ExpandQISE initiative.
https://www.kennesaw.edu/news/stories/2023/kennesaw-state-playing-role-in-quantum-computing.php
Oxford Ionics and University of Oxford Develop WISE: A Revolutionary Control Architecture to Scale Quantum Computers
M. Malinowski, D.T.C. Allcock, and C.J. Ballance from Oxford Ionics and the University of Oxford have developed a control architecture called WISE (Wiring using Integrated Switching Electronics) to address the wiring challenge in scaling up quantum computers. The current approach of connecting each qubit to separate external signal sources is not scalable due to the input/output limitations of the qubit chip. The WISE method integrates simple switching electronics into the ion-trap chip without compromising performance. This architecture can operate a fully connected 1000-qubit trapped-ion quantum computer using approximately 200 signal sources, performing 40-2600 quantum gate layers per second.
https://journals.aps.org/prxquantum/abstract/10.1103/PRXQuantum.4.040313
US names Chicago, Colorado as quantum tech hubs
The US government has designated Chicago and Colorado as two of its 31 national tech hubs for quantum technology. Elevate Quantum Colorado, led by Elevate Quantum, will focus on enhancing the region's global leadership in quantum information technology (QIT). The Bloch Tech Hub, spanning Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, will be led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE), focusing on quantum computing and communications. Quantinuum, a UK-US quantum joint venture, welcomed the Colorado announcement, with CEO Rajeeb Hazra expressing pride in their quantum technologies leadership. The hubs, according to Corban Tillemann-Dick, CEO of Maybell Quantum, will accelerate industry development, commercialization, and job creation.
https://www.eenewseurope.com/en/us-names-chicago-colorado-as-quantum-tech-hubs/
Seven QuEra Computing Projects Awarded DARPA IMPAQT Contracts to Advance Quantum Algorithms for Neutral-Atom Quantum Computers
QuEra Computing, a leader in neutral-atom quantum computers, has received two DARPA IMPAQT grants for projects aimed at advancing quantum algorithms and application development. The projects, "Quantum Reservoir Learning using Neutral Atoms and its Applications" and "Error-Corrected Quantum Architectures Based on Transversal Logical Gates," will utilize QuEra's technology, which offers up to 256 qubits on its Aquila-class machines. Five of QuEra's partners, including Moody's, Harvard University, The University of Padova, BlueQubit, and Polaris Quantum Biotech, also received DARPA IMPAQT grants for their projects on QuEra's quantum computers. CEO Alex Keesling stated the grants would push the boundaries of optimization and machine learning.
https://www.quera.com/press-releases/seven-quera-computing-projects-awarded-darpa-impaqt-contracts
Quantum Computing Threatens Cryptocurrency Security; Ethereum Leads in Quantum-Resistant Transition
Quantum computers may pose a significant threat to the security of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, due to their ability to break cryptographic schemes that secure transactions and keys. Quantum algorithms, such as Shor's and Grover's, could decrypt cryptographic systems, thereby threatening digital security. Cryptocurrencies use digital signatures built on public-key cryptography, which quantum computers can render insecure by deriving private keys from public keys. However, experts believe quantum computers capable of breaking 256-bit elliptic curve cryptography are years away from development. To ensure long-term resilience, cryptocurrencies must transition to quantum-resistant cryptography. Ethereum is already working on this migration. It's crucial to maintain stability and continuity throughout this cryptographic migration.
Aalto University to coordinate Finnish quantum initiatives in latest national flagship programme
The Research Council of Finland has added the Finnish Quantum Flagship (FQF) to its flagship programme, with Aalto University as the coordinating institution. Headed by Professor Peter Liljeroth and vice director Pekka Pursula, the FQF will unite several research institutions, startups, and companies. The FQF aims to consolidate the national quantum ecosystem and promote advanced research that fosters the emergence of new businesses. Key to this initiative is InstituteQ, a collaborative organization between Aalto University, VTT, and the University of Helsinki. As of 2022, there are 550 personnel in Finnish universities and 460 employees in Finnish companies working on quantum technology, with private investment reaching €250 million since 2012.
Quantum Startup Atom Computing First to Exceed 1,000 Qubits
Quantum startup Atom Computing has become the first company to exceed 1,000 qubits, marking a significant milestone in quantum computing. The company's systems are set to be available in 2024, with plans to achieve fault-tolerant quantum computing within this decade. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Atom Computing's achievement indicates continued advancements in the quantum computing field, bringing us closer to the realization of its vast potential.
Imagining the Future of Quantum Computing sensing and communications for Space
Quantum technologies have the potential to revolutionize space exploration through enhanced precision, secure communication, and advanced computation. The future could see spacecraft equipped with quantum accelerometers, gyroscopes, and clocks navigating with unmatched precision. Quantum communication channels could secure our space-based infrastructure from computational attacks, while onboard quantum computers could process large datasets efficiently. Sonali Mohapatra, a quantum physicist working at the UK's National Quantum Computing Centre, emphasizes the potential of merging quantum technologies with space exploration. She cites the successful use of quantum communication between satellites and ground stations through China's Micius satellite.
Quandela delivers first quantum computer at OVH Data center
Quandela, the European leader in photonic quantum computing, has delivered its first quantum computer, MosaiQ, to OVHcloud datacenter, marking the first instance of a European quantum computing company supplying an industrial client. OVHcloud is now the first European cloud services provider to possess a quantum system based on photonic processors. The quantum computer, the first product from Quandela's new factory, is modular and scalable, with the potential to add new modules for increased computational capabilities. Three more machines are in production, with deliveries expected in 2024. Both Miroslaw Klaba, R&D Director at OVHcloud, and Jean Senellart, Chief Product Officer at Quandela, express optimism about the partnership and the future of quantum computing.
https://qbn.world/first-quandela-quantum-computer-delivered-and-installed-in-ovhcloud-datacenter/
IonQ Achieves Industry Leading Performance on Next Generation Barium Qubits
Quantum computing industry leader, IonQ, has achieved a significant milestone by successfully running 29 algorithmic qubits on a barium platform. This breakthrough is a significant step towards developing systems capable of commercial quantum advantage. IonQ's CEO, Peter Chapman, highlighted the exponential increase in quantum applications with the increase in algorithmic qubits. IonQ also announced 24/7 access and support for its cloud-accessible quantum systems. Following an expansion of its agreement with the Air Force Research Lab, IonQ will deploy two barium-based trapped ion quantum computing systems for quantum networking research.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ionq-achieves-industry-leading-performance-163100580.html
SCALINQ Partners Up With Atlantic Quantum to Help Realize Large-scale Quantum Computing Through Cutting-Edge Hardware Components
SCALINQ and Atlantic Quantum have announced a partnership to expedite the development of scalable quantum computers. The partnership's focus is on accelerating qubit control, characterization, and measurements using advanced cryogenic hardware. Atlantic Quantum aims to develop a fault-tolerant, large-scale quantum computer, with a focus on superconducting qubits and unique hardware architecture. SCALINQ, with its expertise in cryogenic microwave devices, will supply the necessary hardware for Atlantic Quantum's experiments. The partnership also involves collaborative R&D and combined technological development. https://www.scalinq.com/scalinq-partners-up-with-atlantic-quantum-to-help-realize-large-scale-quantum-computing-through-cutting-edge-hardware-components/
Q-CTRL and the Quad Investors Network partner to build diverse quantum workforces in Australia and the U.S.
Q-CTRL, a leading quantum technology company, is partnering with the Quad Investors Network (QUIN) to develop diverse quantum workforces in Australia and the U.S. The partnership will provide fully subsidized licenses for Q-CTRL’s Black Opal quantum educational technology software to students at Australian vocational training institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the U.S. The IBM-HBCU Quantum Center will aid in providing access to Black Opal. QUIN Chairman Karl Mehta highlighted the initiative's role in building the future workforce. Q-CTRL CEO, Prof. Michael Biercuk, emphasized the need for diverse backgrounds in the quantum sector and the role of Black Opal in removing barriers to diversity. The program begins in 2024 with plans for expansion to other Quad countries.
CESGA deploys Quside QRNG into their datacenter to offer increased capabilities stochastic workloads – Quside
CESGA has integrated Quside's Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) into its data center, enhancing its capacity for stochastic workloads. This move is driven by the increasing demand for large volumes of high-quality, high-performance random numbers across various sectors. The integration positions CESGA at the forefront of providing quantum solutions, responding to the growing need for superior computational capabilities.
New quantum computing architecture achieves electron charge qubit with 0.1 millisecond coherence time
The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, led by Dafei Jin, has made a significant advancement in quantum computing by extending the coherence time of a novel type of qubit to 0.1 milliseconds, nearly a thousand times better than the previous record. The team's qubits, called charge qubits, encode quantum information in the electron's motional states. The qubit is a single electron trapped on an ultraclean solid-neon surface in a vacuum, which provides resistance to environmental disturbances. The research, published in Nature Physics, also shows that two-electron qubits can couple to the same superconducting circuit, marking an important stride toward two-qubit entanglement.
https://phys.org/news/2023-10-quantum-architecture-electron-qubit-millisecond.html
You need 100 qubits to accelerate discovery with quantum
IBM and UC Berkeley researchers have demonstrated a useful application for 127-qubit quantum processors with error mitigation, marking a new era of quantum utility. The teams extracted accurate results from a quantum computer for a circuit that couldn't be simulated by a classical computer, using quantum as a benchmark for classical approximation methods. Researchers from the University of Washington, Stony Brook University, IBM, and others are now exploring beyond exact classical simulability, running circuits with over 100 qubits. The work includes simulating quantum spin chains and preparing highly entangled quantum states. The results suggest quantum computing has entered an era of real-world problem-solving utility.
https://research.ibm.com/blog/100-qubit-utility?sf183103802=1
The quantum here-and-now
As Congress considers reauthorizing the $1.2 billion National Quantum Initiative Act, companies like D-Wave urge a focus on current applications of quantum computing, not just R&D. They argue that without this focus, the US risks losing its technological edge. Allison Schwartz of D-Wave cites projects like optimizing evacuation routes and modernizing transportation networks as potential applications. However, quantum computing currently struggles with "decoherence," or maintaining stability for calculations. Companies like Quantum Computing Inc. and D-Wave are developing different approaches to address this issue. Despite recent advances, there is no definitive proof in 2023 of a quantum computer performing tasks a classical computer cannot.
ExpressVPN launches post-quantum protection
ExpressVPN, a leading VPN service provider, has upgraded its encryption to include post-quantum protections across all its apps. The move is aimed at defending against threats posed by quantum computing. ExpressVPN's Chief Engineering Officer, Pete Membrey, emphasized their commitment to leading the transition to a quantum-safe future. The company's WireGuard-inspired protocol now uses algorithms from the Open Quantum Safe team's liboqs. Despite the relative novelty of post-quantum technology, ExpressVPN has adopted a hybrid approach, combining new and old encryption keys. Membrey confirmed their continued reliance on open-source community contributions to further develop their post-quantum solutions.
https://www.techradar.com/computing/cyber-security/expressvpn-launches-post-quantum-protection
Quantum technology use cases as fuel for value in finance
Quantum computing is predicted to become a reality by 2035, but significant developments are already underway. Financial services organizations can gain substantial value by building business capabilities around quantum technologies. Use cases in finance could generate $622 billion in value, improving existing processes and potentially changing the financial system. Quantum computing applications in corporate banking are particularly significant due to the high monetary value at stake. Quantum machine learning can facilitate risk simulations, potentially reducing costs and enabling larger deals. Quantum computing can also enhance fraud detection and cybersecurity. The use of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD) are leading approaches to making data quantum-safe. Quantum technologies could revolutionize security for intra- and interbank trades.