The YEAR in Quantum Computing - (December 30th) - Wrapping up 2024!

One more year for the Quantum Pirates ship! Here’s your 2024 Wrap!

The Quantum Computing Pirate Newsletter 2024 Wrapped

Disclaimer: This 2024 wrapped has been heavily supported by AI tools such as Google’s NotebookLM and others.

The Year Wrapped

Throughout the year, the industry witnessed a surge in both public and private investments, with governments and corporations alike recognizing the strategic importance of quantum technology. The UK government, for instance, invested £45 million into its quantum sector, aiming for a quantum-enabled economy by 2033. Similarly, Singapore announced a S$300 million investment over five years to support quantum technology research and talent development. These investments, coupled with substantial funding from entities like the EU and the US Department of Energy, reflect a global commitment to driving quantum innovation.

The development of novel quantum algorithms and the exploration of their applications in diverse fields have been central to the year's progress. For example Researchers from TU Berlin demonstrated a super-polynomial advantage of quantum computers over classical computers in approximating combinatorial optimization problems. Meanwhile, Zapata AI and D-Wave Quantum expanded their partnership to accelerate generative AI platforms, showcasing the potential convergence of quantum computing with other emerging technologies. (Even though Zapata is no more)

The year also saw a growing emphasis on international collaborations and knowledge sharing within the quantum community. Conferences like Q2B, QuantumTech or QIP2024 provided platforms for researchers to discuss the latest advancements and emerging trends, fostering global cooperation in tackling the challenges and harnessing the potential of quantum technology. Initiatives like the QIA Internship Programme offered opportunities for students and young professionals to gain practical experience in leading quantum labs and startups across Europe.

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The Top 10 (by clicks, popularity and… randomness)

• Protein Folding Takes a Step Forward with Quantum Computing: Researchers proposed a hybrid classical-quantum algorithm to solve the protein-folding problem using quantum computing techniques.

• New Quantum Computing Architecture Could be Used to Connect Large-Scale Devices: Quantum computers hold the promise of performing certain tasks that are intractable even on the world’s most powerful supercomputers.

• New Algorithm Closes Quantum Supremacy Window: Random circuit sampling, a popular technique for showing the power of quantum computers, doesn’t scale up if errors go unchecked.

• Exploring the Thermodynamics of Quantum Computing: Phase slip in a hysteretic Josephson junction, Real-space sketch of the phase-slip mechanism: at the instability point of the Φx(ϕ) relation, the phase drop ϕ and the screening current Is abruptly relax to smaller values, as a quantum of flux tunnels perpendicular to the Josephson junction.

• Logical Magic-State Fidelity With Constant-Depth Distillation: Researchers developed a more efficient approach to magic state distillation for fault-tolerant quantum computing.

• A Compact Microwave Diode Architecture For Directional Amplification and Isolation: Researchers published their work on a compact microwave diode architecture in Nature Communications, demonstrating a significant difference between power levels transmitted in opposite directions.

• Quantum Advantage for NP Approximation? For REAL this Time?: Scott Aaronson discusses the potential of Decoded Quantum Interferometry (DQI) to achieve better approximation ratios for NP-hard optimization problems.

• High-fidelity entanglement between a trapped ion and a telecom photon via quantum frequency conversion: Physicists in Austria demonstrated a protocol for entangling microwave and optical photons, a crucial step towards building quantum networks based on superconducting qubits.

• A photonic integrated circuit for high-fidelity and reconfigurable controlled-NOT gates: Researchers at the University of California created a photonic integrated circuit, a significant milestone in the development of quantum computers.

• Hardware-efficient quantum error correction with concatenated bosonic codes: Researchers demonstrated a hardware-efficient quantum error correction method using concatenated bosonic qubits, achieving a minimum logical error per cycle of 1.65% for a distance-5 code.

Quantum Computing Timeline (December 2023 - December 2024) (NOT COMPLETE)

December 2023

• Quantinuum scales up trapped-ion quantum computer: Steven Moses and his team at Quantinuum increase the number of qubits in their System Model H2 from 20 to 32, achieving a record quantum volume of 216.

• Rydberg Technologies demonstrates long-range atomic RF communication: Rydberg Technologies successfully demonstrates the world's first long-range radio communication using an atomic quantum sensor at the U.S. Army's NetModX23 event.

• S. Whitlock and T. D. Kieu publish quantum factoring algorithm: The researchers develop a new algorithm using Grover search to factorize any n-bit biprime using 2n-5 qubits or less, potentially impacting cryptographic security.

January 2024

• Thales and Quantinuum launch post-quantum cryptography starter kit: The kit aims to help enterprises prepare for the security challenges posed by quantum computers.

• South Korea opens military quantum technology institute: The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) inaugurates a new institute focused on developing military applications for quantum computing and sensing.

• Researchers achieve "quantum cramming": Scientists from PSI, ETH Zurich, and EPFL challenge the notion that solid-state qubits require ultra-clean environments, showing that densely packed rare-earth ions in crystals can have longer coherence times.

February 2024

• Infleqtion accelerates commercialization of quantum products: Infleqtion acquires silicon photonics companies to scale up production of its quantum technologies.

• Metriq platform launches: Metriq provides a platform for tracking and sharing quantum technology benchmarks, allowing users to submit and compare performance data.

• UK government announces £45 million investment in quantum sector: The funding aims to establish a "quantum-enabled economy" by 2033 and includes support for seven testbeds by March 2025.

• Researchers discover 3D material that "locks" electrons: Scientists at Rice University find an alloy of copper, vanadium, and sulfur with a unique crystal structure that limits electron movement, potentially impacting quantum computing advancements.

• Researchers achieve GHZ entanglement with 60 qubits: A team of researchers creates entangled Schrödinger cat states using up to 60 superconducting qubits, a significant milestone in quantum technology.

• Tobias J. Kippenberg and Nils Johan Engelsen achieve room temperature control of quantum phenomena: The researchers develop an ultra-low noise optomechanical system enabling high-precision study and manipulation of light's influence on moving objects at room temperature.

• Diamond quantum memory with Germanium vacancy exceeds 20 ms coherence time: Researchers at Ulm University achieve a record coherence time in a diamond quantum memory using a Germanium vacancy center, pushing boundaries for quantum communication applications.

• Quantum computing engineers encode information in four ways within a single atom: UNSW Sydney engineers successfully encode quantum information using 16 quantum states of a single antimony atom in a silicon chip, addressing scalability challenges.

• IQM Quantum Computers achieves new benchmarks on 20-qubit system: IQM's 20-qubit quantum computer demonstrates high two-qubit gate fidelity, Quantum Volume (QV) of 32, and a 20-qubit GHZ state with fidelity greater than 0.5.

• Illinois Governor JB Pritzker allocates $500 million for quantum computing: This investment aims to boost the state's quantum computing infrastructure, including a cryogenic facility, a quantum campus site, and matching funds for research.

• Diraq opens a new commercial laboratory in Sydney: Diraq, a leader in silicon "quantum dot" technology, opens a state-of-the-art laboratory focused on developing fault-tolerant quantum computers with billions of qubits.

• Russia creates a 20-qubit quantum computer: Russian scientists under the guidance of Ruslan Yunusov, advisor to Rosatom CEO, develop a 20-qubit quantum computer based on an ion platform.

March 2024

• Rolls-Royce explores quantum computing for nuclear safety: Rolls-Royce aims to use quantum computing to operate nuclear power plants remotely, potentially revolutionizing nuclear energy in challenging environments.

• SemiQon announces successful testing and shipping of its 4-qubit silicon chip and transistors: The Finland-based startup distributes its chips globally, marking progress in developing stable logical qubits and combining classical and quantum elements at cryogenic temperatures.

• Travis L. Scholten and colleagues assess benefits and risks of quantum computers: The researchers highlight the current limitations of quantum computers for large-scale problems but acknowledge potential future economic and cryptographic impacts.

April 2024

• Dataversity reports on the potential of quantum computing in data science: Quantum computing is highlighted for its potential to revolutionize data analysis, real-time processing, AI model training, and predictive model accuracy.

• Researchers at ETH Zurich develop a new ion trapping approach: The team uses static magnetic and electric fields instead of oscillating electromagnetic fields, offering improved control over ion quantum states and potential scalability benefits.

• Jernej Rudi Finžgar and colleagues develop a hybrid quantum-informed optimization algorithm: This algorithm, tested on QuEra Aquila via Amazon Braket, addresses feasibility issues in constrained optimization problems, potentially impacting various industries.

• The Dutch consortium HectoQubit/2 (HQ/2) aims for 100-qubit quantum computer by 2026: This full-stack quantum computing approach, funded by Quantum Delta NL, signifies the growing ecosystem in the Netherlands.

• PhysicsBeyond launches a free quantum research program for girls: This nine-week program aims to increase female participation in the quantum computing field.

• RIKEN physicists propose a novel approach to quantum computing using electrons on liquid helium: This hybrid qubit approach, leveraging both charge and spin states, could overcome challenges in qubit uniformity and scalability.

May 2024

• BBVA successfully trials distributed quantum simulation in the cloud: This pilot project, in collaboration with VASS's Quantum Computing team and AWS, demonstrates the potential of cloud-based quantum computing for the financial sector.

• Researchers develop Plasmonium qubit: The University of Science and Technology of China creates an artificial quantum system that simulates the fractional anomalous quantum Hall effect at normal temperatures without magnetic fields.

• LightSolver develops desktop-sized optical computer LPU100: This optical computer rivals the performance of quantum and classical supercomputers, offering an alternative approach to high-performance computing.

• EvolutionQ launches MultimodalKES cryptographic protocol: This protocol enhances protection against quantum cyber threats, addressing the evolving landscape of cybersecurity.

• Alice & Bob develops a fault-tolerant Boson cat qubit chip: This chip, available on Google Cloud Marketplace, addresses qubit decoherence, a major obstacle in quantum computing.

• Q-CTRL partners with Hamad Bin Khalifa University to develop Qatar's quantum workforce: This partnership signifies the increasing focus on education and workforce development in the quantum computing field.

• QCentroid and OpenQuantum partner to democratize access to quantum computing: This collaboration aims to make quantum computing resources more widely available.

• University of Basel researchers achieve controllable two-hole spin qubit interaction: This breakthrough could lead to the development of million-qubit chips, significantly increasing the computational power of quantum computers.

June 2024

• Atom Computing secures $10 million from the Danish government: The investment highlights the growing global interest in quantum computing and Denmark's commitment to the field.

• D-Wave Quantum deploys its second US-based Advantage quantum computer: The system, located at Davidson Technologies' headquarters in Alabama, will be accessible to D-Wave customers via the Leap cloud service.

• Intel develops millikelvin quantum research control chip: The Pando Tree chip, combined with the Horse Ridge II control chip, offers a more efficient solution for large-scale silicon qubit control, paving the way for future quantum scaling.

July 2024

• DARPA releases preliminary findings of quantum benchmarking research: The research, involving teams from various institutions, explores the impact of quantum computers on chemistry, materials science, and non-linear differential equations.

• Diraq raises $22 million in funding: The Australian quantum tech startup focuses on developing a fault-tolerant quantum computer using CMOS quantum dot technology.

• Pasqal surpasses 1,000 atoms in its quantum processor: This milestone signifies progress towards Pasqal's goal of developing quantum computers with over 1,000 qubits, advancing towards 10,000 qubits by 2026-2027.

• HSBC reveals strategies to secure banking systems against quantum threats: The bank explores post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD) to safeguard customer data against potential attacks from future quantum computers.

• EU supports quantum computing in Hamburg: The University of Hamburg and the Technical University of Hamburg launch a quantum computing project to foster interdisciplinary research and develop European-made solutions.

• Kvantify secures €10 million in seed funding: The Danish quantum software startup focuses on developing solutions for drug discovery, highlighting the potential of quantum computing in life sciences.

• The Institute for Quantum Physics and Lufthansa Industry Solutions collaborate on airport operations optimization: This partnership aims to develop quantum algorithms for optimizing airport gate assignments, showcasing potential real-world applications.

• Moodys analyzes the landscape of quantum computing providers: Various modalities of quantum computers and their access methods are explored, highlighting the growing availability of quantum resources for financial institutions.

• Riverlane unveils its Quantum Error Correction (QEC) roadmap: The company aims to achieve a MegaQuOp-scale QEC stack by 2026, a significant step towards fault-tolerant quantum computing.

• IBM surpasses Google with its 127-qubit Eagle processor: This breakthrough marks a significant leap in quantum capabilities, potentially revolutionizing fields like cryptography and material science.

• Quantinuum's 56-qubit H2-1 computer smashes quantum supremacy record: The system outperforms Google's Sycamore by a factor of 100, achieving a higher XEB score and consuming significantly less power.

August 2024

• Diraq researchers achieve over 99% fidelity in two-qubit gates: This milestone, achieved using silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor quantum dots, demonstrates significant progress in scalable quantum computing.

• Sandia National Labs develops ultra-compact optical chips for quantum navigation: These chips replace bulky laser systems in atom interferometers, enabling GPS-free navigation with exceptional accuracy.

• SBQuantum secures contracts with ESA and CSA to test its quantum magnetometers: The Canadian company's technology utilizes imperfections in synthetic diamonds to map magnetic fields, potentially enhancing navigation tools and mineral exploration.

• India's first quantum computer nears completion at TIFR: This collaborative project marks a significant step for India's Quantum Measurement and Control (QuMaC) lab.

• QpiAI, a Bengaluru-based startup, develops a 25-qubit quantum computer: This development highlights the growing quantum computing ecosystem in India.

September 2024

• DRDO completes end-to-end testing of a 6-qubit quantum processor: The project, developed in collaboration with TIFR and TCS, demonstrates India's progress in superconducting circuit technology.

• Duke-led team receives NSF grant to develop a 256-qubit quantum computer: This initiative aims to surpass classical computing capabilities for various scientific applications, signifying a major step in advancing US quantum infrastructure.

• South Korean quantum computing firm SDT secures $7.5 million investment: SDT specializes in equipment controlling quantum phenomena and aims to commercialize quantum computers, reflecting the growing market in South Korea.

• Researchers perform first quantum simulations of chemical reactions using an analog approach: This breakthrough, utilizing a mixed-qudit-boson (MQB) simulator, demonstrates the potential of analog quantum simulators for near-term applications.

• Microsoft and Quantinuum achieve a quantum volume of over 2 million and "three 9's" fidelity: This accomplishment marks a critical step towards the development of a Quantum Supercomputer.

• Osaka University and Fujitsu develop a faster calculation method for quantum computers: This method significantly reduces the number of qubits required for outperforming supercomputers.

• Kipu Quantum demonstrates Commercial Quantum Advantage: Using IBM's quantum processors, Kipu Quantum solves complex optimization problems relevant to various industries.

• US Department of Energy invests $65 million in quantum computing research: This funding supports 10 projects aimed at further advancing the field.

• Boeing announces plans for a quantum entanglement satellite by 2026: This ambitious project could revolutionize space-based communication and sensing.

• TU Delft researchers achieve quantum data storage using Titanium-47's nucleus: This innovative approach could greatly enhance the security of quantum computing applications.

• Equal1 CEO highlights the potential of quantum computing for addressing Ireland's data center energy consumption: This statement emphasizes the potential societal benefits of quantum technology.

• TNO launches the Qu-STAR project to develop a space-based quantum internet: Collaborating with Airbus, TNO aims to overcome the limitations of ground-based quantum networks.

• Alice & Bob and Thales partner to provide quantum computing solutions to the aerospace industry: This partnership signifies the growing adoption of quantum technologies in different sectors.

• Oxford Ionics achieves a world record in quantum state preparation and measurement fidelity: This breakthrough significantly improves the reliability of quantum systems.

• IBM introduces the Qiskit Functions Catalog to simplify quantum computing development: Q-CTRL integrates Fire Opal, a performance management software, further enhancing the development process.

• IQM scales up quantum computer production to meet rising demand: The Finnish company, with its own quantum chip factory, positions itself as a leader in providing accessible quantum computing resources.

• Quantinuum announces an accelerated hardware roadmap for achieving a fault-tolerant quantum computer by the end of the decade: This ambitious plan highlights the accelerating pace of development in the field.

• Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub receives $27.4 million grant for quantum computing and semiconductor research: This funding supports projects at Upstate New York universities and research institutions, strengthening the US quantum ecosystem.

• Quantinuum demonstrates high-fidelity teleportation of a logical qubit: This achievement utilizes error correction codes to stabilize qubits and paves the way for large-scale quantum computers.

October 2024

• HSBC trials quantum-safe technology for tokenized gold: This pilot project addresses the potential threat of future quantum computers to cryptographic security, demonstrating the practical implications of quantum advancements.

• Researchers demonstrate a hardware-efficient quantum error correction method: This method, using concatenated bosonic qubits, brings fault-tolerant quantum computation closer to reality.

• A team from the Munich Quantum Valley maintains a quantum register of 1200 neutral atoms: This breakthrough, achieved through continuous operation for over an hour, addresses the challenge of atomic losses and paves the way for large-scale quantum calculations.

• IBM researchers introduce the "V-score" metric for benchmarking quantum advantage in ground state problems: This metric helps identify problems where quantum computing could outperform classical methods, guiding future research efforts.

November 2024

• Dennis Willsch and colleagues explore the state of factoring on quantum computers: The research evaluates both digital and analog systems, highlighting the challenges and potential of quantum computing for cryptographic applications.

• Yonsei University launches South Korea's first 127-qubit quantum computer: This development solidifies South Korea's position as a leader in quantum technology.

• Microsoft and Atom Computing announce a commercial quantum machine with 24 entangled logical qubits: This machine, set for delivery in 2025, utilizes neutral-atom qubits for high fidelity and error correction capabilities.

December 2024

• Physicists develop a metric to assess quantum computers' ability to solve many-body problems: This metric helps evaluate the performance of quantum systems in simulating complex interactions between multiple particles.

• Munich Quantum Valley transitions from research to commercial applications: This shift reflects the growing maturity of quantum technology and its potential for economic benefits.

• Arctic Instruments secures funding for quantum computer amplifiers: The Finnish company's superconducting microwave amplifiers are crucial for accurate qubit state readout, highlighting the importance of supporting technologies in quantum computing.

• Google unveils its Willow quantum chip: The chip promises exponential error reduction and the potential to outperform supercomputers, furthering the advancement towards fault-tolerant quantum computing.

• Researchers demonstrate magic state distillation on QuEra neutral atom computer: This achievement, showcasing a key building block for fault-tolerant quantum computing, highlights the progress in neutral atom platforms.

Some Flops

Here is a list of the "Top 10 Flops" in the quantum computing industry, based on the provided sources:

• Quantum Advantage Remains Elusive: Despite the hype, no quantum business advantage has materialised in 2024.

• Quantum Error Correction Still Introduces More Errors: While promising, quantum error correction (QEC) algorithms are not yet practical, as they often introduce more errors than they correct. (Although this may not be true anymore!)

• Clickbait Articles Mislead Investors: Numerous articles promoting "get rich quick" quantum computing stocks lack understanding of the industry's complexities and maturity.

• "Quantum Supremacy" Experiments Deemed Useless: Google's Sycamore experiment, while impressive, was deemed to have zero business value, highlighting the gap between theoretical demonstrations and practical applications. Same applies to Willow.

• Quantum Computing for Finance Still Relies on Toy Models: Research on use cases in finance primarily uses constrained data sets and toy models, lacking real-world benchmarks for comparison with existing methods.

• Government Funding Faces Scrutiny: The Albanese Government's "Future Made in Australia" fund faced criticism for allegedly favouring entities with connections to Labor insiders, raising concerns about transparency and fairness in funding allocation.

• SPAC-Based Quantum Companies Struggle: Zapata AI, Rigetti, and D-Wave, all companies that went public via SPAC, experienced financial difficulties, with Zapata halting operations and Rigetti and D-Wave facing delisting several times.

• Microsoft Halts Quantum Research in Australia: Microsoft's decision to stop its quantum computing research in Australia impacted collaborations with institutions like the University of Sydney, affecting numerous researchers.

• Quantum Threat Timeline Predictions Keep Shifting: While experts predict the timeline for breaking RSA encryption with quantum computers, these estimations continue to be pushed back as the industry progresses.

2025 Outlook

As we enter 2025, the quantum computing landscape appears poised for further acceleration, with early fault-tolerant quantum computers expected to make their mark. The focus on achieving MegaQuOp, or millions of reliable quantum operations, is likely to intensify, with most companies pushing the boundaries of quantum error correction technology. The development and deployment of quantum-safe cryptographic solutions will also be crucial, as organisations strive to safeguard their systems against the growing quantum threat.

The exploration of practical applications for quantum computing is set to expand, with industries like finance, materials science, and pharmaceuticals at the forefront. The convergence of quantum computing with AI and other emerging technologies will likely drive innovation, leading to the development of novel algorithms and solutions for complex problems. As the quantum ecosystem matures, we can anticipate greater collaboration between industry, academia, and governments, fostering a global effort to unlock the full potential of quantum computing for the benefit of humanity.

So, here are my 5 predictions for the quantum computing industry in 2025, based on the what has happened this year.

• Increased focus on Quantum Error Correction (QEC): QEC is still the main gap between theoretical potential and practical applications of QC. Several companies are actively working on QEC technologies from different approaches and aiming for significant breakthroughs in 2025.

• Advancements towards fault-tolerant quantum computers: With companies like Quandela, QuEra and Quantinuum outlining ambitious roadmaps, the race to build the first fault-tolerant quantum computer will likely intensify in 2025. This could lead to machines capable of handling more complex computations and tackling real-world problems more effectively.

• Greater exploration of quantum computing applications: With the industry moving beyond hype and towards tangible results, 2025 may witness a surge in the exploration and development of quantum algorithms for specific industries. This could include advancements in areas like drug discovery, materials science, and financial modelling.

• Continued investments in the quantum ecosystem: Governments and corporations worldwide are recognising the strategic importance of quantum technology. The sources reveal a trend of substantial public and private funding, which is likely to continue in 2025, further propelling the industry's growth and innovation.

• Heightened awareness of quantum security threats: With the potential for quantum computers to break existing encryption methods becoming increasingly real, organisations will likely increase their focus on cybersecurity and transition to quantum-safe solutions in 2025. This could drive the development and adoption of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD) technologies. 2025 is when CIOs get front and center with PQC.

A Note of Gratitude

A huge thank you to all our readers for joining me on the quantum pirate ship. Your continued support and engagement is what keeps me writing this newsletter week after week. During holidays, or during peak months. As we sail into the uncharted waters of 2025, I’m excited to have you on board, sharing memes and snarky notes. Cheers to another year of quantum discoveries and breakthroughs!