Q-CTRL, a global leader in quantum technology, has integrated its Q-CTRL Embedded Quantum software with IBM Quantum's Pay-As-You-Go Plan. This marks the first time a third-party software vendor's technology will be available on the IBM Quantum Pay-As-You-Go Plan. The integration aims to provide user-friendly functionality to address the primary challenge facing quantum computing end-users: unreliable results from algorithms run on today's hardware. The combination of Q-CTRL technology and IBM Quantum services reduces this burden, making it simpler to get useful results from real hardware by automatically addressing the problem of noise and hardware error.

Hear from Krysta Svore, Principal Research Manager of Microsoft Quantum, on how creating resilient logical qubits is crucial in developing quantum computers. Currently, according to Krysta Svore, the industry is approaching Level 2.

Riverlane has been chosen for Phase 2 of the Quantum Benchmarking programme funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The programme aims to develop key quantum computing metrics for practical problems. Riverlane's CEO, Steve Brierley, stated that the programme aligns with their mission to make quantum computing useful sooner. The company is working with universities such as the University of Southern California and the University of Sydney to identify benchmarks for practical problems in various fields. Principal Quantum Scientist at Riverlane, Hari Krovi, highlighted the importance of fault tolerance in quantum computing.

OQC, a global leader in quantum compute-as-a-service, has announced the public availability of OQC Toshiko, the world's first enterprise-ready quantum computing platform. The 32-qubit platform is deployed to commercial data centres, allowing businesses worldwide to access the technology. SBI Investment, Japan's leading venture capital fund, is leading OQC's $100m funding round. The platform is named after Toshiko Yuasa, the first female Japanese physicist. OQC is collaborating with global companies including Equinix, NVIDIA, AWS and McKinsey to bring quantum computing out of the lab and into the enterprise.

IBM Quantum and UC Berkeley researchers have published a paper in Nature demonstrating the utility of quantum computing. Quantum utility refers to a quantum computer's ability to perform reliable computations beyond the capabilities of classical computing methods. This marks a significant milestone in the field, as quantum computers were previously small, experimental devices used primarily for studying quantum computing. IBM's Quantum Theory and Computational Science director, Katie Pizzolato, and Quantum Theory and Capabilities senior manager, Sarah Sheldon, emphasise the potential of quantum computers as tools for scientific exploration.

Insider Brief

• The Conversation article explores quantum advantage and why it’s important to quantum researchers and the quantum industry.
• Quantum advantage refers to solving types of problems that are impractical for classical computers to solve, such as cracking state-of-the-art encryption algorithm.
• The article was written by Daniel Lidar, Professor of Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, and Physics & Astronomy, University of Southern California.
• Image: A prototype quantum sensor developed by MIT researchers can detect any frequency of electromagnetic waves. Guoqing Wang, CC BY-NC-ND

THE CONVERSATION — Quantum advantage is the milestone the field of quantum computing is fervently working toward, where a quantum computer can solve problems that are beyond the reach of the most powerful non-quantum, or classical, computers.

Quantum refers to the scale of atoms and molecules where the laws of physics as we experience them break down and a different, counterintuitive set of laws apply. Quantum computers take advantage of these strange behaviors to solve problems.

There are some types of problems that are impractical for classical computers to solve, such as cracking state-of-the-art encryption algorithms. Research in recent decades has shown that quantum computers have the potential to solve some of these problems. If a quantum computer can be built that actually does solve one of these problems, it will have demonstrated quantum advantage.

I am a physicist who studies quantum information processing and the control of quantum systems. I believe that this frontier of scientific and technological innovation not only promises groundbreaking advances in computation but also represents a broader surge in quantum technology, including significant advancements in quantum cryptography and quantum sensing.

The source of quantum computing’s power

Central to quantum computing is the quantum bit, or qubit. Unlike classical bits, which can only be in states of 0 or 1, a qubit can be in any state that is some combination of 0 and 1. This state of neither just 1 or just 0 is known as a quantum superposition. With every additional qubit, the number of states that can be represented by the qubits doubles.

This property is often mistaken for the source of the power of quantum computing. Instead, it comes down to an intricate interplay of superposition, interference and entanglement.

Interference involves manipulating qubits so that their states combine constructively during computations to amplify correct solutions and destructively to suppress the wrong answers. Constructive interference is what happens when the peaks of two waves – like sound waves or ocean waves – combine to create a higher peak. Destructive interference is what happens when a wave peak and a wave trough combine and cancel each other out. Quantum algorithms, which are few and difficult to devise, set up a sequence of interference patterns that yield the correct answer to a problem.

Entanglement establishes a uniquely quantum correlation between qubits: The state of one cannot be described independently of the others, no matter how far apart the qubits are. This is what Albert Einstein famously dismissed as “spooky action at a distance.” Entanglement’s collective behavior, orchestrated through a quantum computer, enables computational speed-ups that are beyond the reach of classical computers.

Applications of quantum computing

Quantum computing has a range of potential uses where it can outperform classical computers. In cryptography, quantum computers pose both an opportunity and a challenge. Most famously, they have the potential to decipher current encryption algorithms, such as the widely used RSA scheme.

One consequence of this is that today’s encryption protocols need to be reengineered to be resistant to future quantum attacks. This recognition has led to the burgeoning field of post-quantum cryptography. After a long process, the National Institute of Standards and Technology recently selected four quantum-resistant algorithms and has begun the process of readying them so that organizations around the world can use them in their encryption technology.

In addition, quantum computing can dramatically speed up quantum simulation: the ability to predict the outcome of experiments operating in the quantum realm. Famed physicist Richard Feynman envisioned this possibility more than 40 years ago. Quantum simulation offers the potential for considerable advancements in chemistry and materials science, aiding in areas such as the intricate modeling of molecular structures for drug discovery and enabling the discovery or creation of materials with novel properties.

Another use of quantum information technology is quantum sensing: detecting and measuring physical properties like electromagnetic energy, gravity, pressure and temperature with greater sensitivity and precision than non-quantum instruments. Quantum sensing has myriad applications in fields such as environmental monitoring, geological exploration, medical imaging and surveillance.

Initiatives such as the development of a quantum internet that interconnects quantum computers are crucial steps toward bridging the quantum and classical computing worlds. This network could be secured using quantum cryptographic protocols such as quantum key distribution, which enables ultra-secure communication channels that are protected against computational attacks – including those using quantum computers.

Despite a growing application suite for quantum computing, developing new algorithms that make full use of the quantum advantage – in particular in machine learning – remains a critical area of ongoing research.

Staying coherent and overcoming errors

The quantum computing field faces significant hurdles in hardware and software development. Quantum computers are highly sensitive to any unintentional interactions with their environments. This leads to the phenomenon of decoherence, where qubits rapidly degrade to the 0 or 1 states of classical bits.

Building large-scale quantum computing systems capable of delivering on the promise of quantum speed-ups requires overcoming decoherence. The key is developing effective methods of suppressing and correcting quantum errors, an area my own research is focused on.

In navigating these challenges, numerous quantum hardware and software startups have emerged alongside well-established technology industry players like Google and IBM. This industry interest, combined with significant investment from governments worldwide, underscores a collective recognition of quantum technology’s transformative potential. These initiatives foster a rich ecosystem where academia and industry collaborate, accelerating progress in the field.

Quantum advantage coming into view

Quantum computing may one day be as disruptive as the arrival of generative AI. Currently, the development of quantum computing technology is at a crucial juncture. On the one hand, the field has already shown early signs of having achieved a narrowly specialized quantum advantage. Researchers at Google and later a team of researchers in China demonstrated quantum advantage for generating a list of random numbers with certain properties. My research team demonstrated a quantum speed-up for a random number guessing game.

On the other hand, there is a tangible risk of entering a “quantum winter,” a period of reduced investment if practical results fail to materialize in the near term.

While the technology industry is working to deliver quantum advantage in products and services in the near term, academic research remains focused on investigating the fundamental principles underpinning this new science and technology. This ongoing basic research, fueled by enthusiastic cadres of new and bright students of the type I encounter almost every day, ensures that the field will continue to progress.

From: The Conversation

Scientists have demonstrated the use of a robotic arm in quantum technology. The arm, equipped with a magnet, can sensitise a quantum magnetometer in challenging conditions. This development could increase speed, control, and robustness in quantum technology applications. The team's work suggests that robotics could replace traditional methods in experimental physics and quantum technologies, particularly in highly constrained environments. The next step is to develop an algorithm that can generate on-demand magnetic fields, potentially revolutionising the field of quantum technology.

Researchers have developed quantum versions of the Alphatron, an algorithm used in machine learning and quantum computing. The quantum algorithm can provide a polynomial speedup for a large range of parameters, offering two types of speedups: one for evaluating the kernel matrix and one for evaluating the gradient in the stochastic gradient descent procedure. This development contributes to the study of quantum learning with kernels and from samples. The work was conducted by Jonathan Allcock, Chang-Yu Hsieh, Iordanis Kerenidis, and Shengyu Zhang.

Quantum computing company IonQ reports Q3 2023 revenues of $6.1 million, a 122% increase from the previous year. The company also announced a $25.5 million sale of its Quantum Networking System to the US Air Force Research Lab. IonQ's CEO, Peter Chapman, highlighted the company's achievement of $100 million in cumulative bookings within three years of commercialization. The company also unveiled two new quantum computers, IonQ Forte Enterprise, and IonQ Tempo, and aims to achieve a 64-qubit system by the end of 2025.

IQM Quantum Computers, a Finnish company, has unveiled its quantum computing platform, "IQM Radiance". The platform comes in two versions: a 54-qubit system available in 2024, and a 150-qubit system available from 2025. The platform is designed for businesses, high-performance computing centres, data centres, and government agencies. It aims to provide quantum computing capabilities for real-life use cases, including machine learning, cybersecurity, energy grid optimisation, and drug research. Dr. Jan Goetz, CEO of IQM, believes this is the right time for businesses to invest in quantum computing to gain a competitive edge.

PASQAL, a leading company in neutral atom quantum computing, is supporting the Faculty of Engineering at Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS) in Canada to establish a Professor Position in Applied Quantum Computing. The company is also setting up a facility to manufacture quantum processors at Espace Quantique 1 of DistriQ – Quantum Innovation Zone in Sherbrooke. The selected Chair holder will lead the development of neutral atom quantum software solutions for industry. PASQAL is contributing $500,000 CAD to a full-time non-tenure-track position at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of the Faculty of Engineering.

QuEra Computing, a leader in neutral-atom quantum computers, celebrates the one-year anniversary of its quantum computer, Aquila, being publicly available on Amazon Braket, a service from Amazon Web Services. QuEra's machine is the only publicly-accessible neutral-atom quantum computer and the largest of its kind with up to 256 qubits. The company has increased the availability of its quantum computer on Amazon Braket to over 100 hours per week, a tenfold increase from its launch. QuEra's technology is used globally for applications ranging from high-energy physics to material sciences. CEO Alex Keesling emphasises the company's commitment to expanding quantum computing access.

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has contracted ParityQC to develop new methods for molecular simulation on quantum computers. The project, QuantiCoM Q2H, is part of DLR's QuantiCoM initiative, aiming to advance materials science and engineering through quantum computing. Over three years, ParityQC will create quantum computing algorithms for atomistic simulations, starting with hydrogen and water molecules. The project could lead to more accurate simulations of chemical systems, impacting various industries including drug discovery, energy, manufacturing, construction, automotive, electronics, and aerospace. ParityQC, a spinoff of the University of Innsbruck, is the world's only quantum architecture company.

IonQ, a leading company in quantum computing, has achieved a significant milestone by developing 29 algorithmic qubits on a barium platform. This development is a crucial step towards creating systems capable of commercial quantum advantage. The company has been exploring innovative ways to advance trapped ion quantum computing, including the use of barium qubits. These barium-based systems are expected to lead to numerous new technical applications and make future quantum systems more scalable and reliable.

BTQ Technologies Inc., a global quantum technology company, has announced the addition of Dr. Peter Rohde, a renowned theoretical quantum computer scientist and Quantum Internet Expert, to its technical team. Dr. Rohde, an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Macquarie University and Associate Investigator at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems, is known for his expertise in optical quantum computing, quantum networking, and the economics of quantum technology. He will join Prof. Gavin Brennen, BTQ's Head of Quantum Research, in Sydney to drive research and expand BTQ's technical team in Australia.

PASQAL, a French quantum computing company, has partnered with Sorbonne Université, Pixel Photonics GmbH, The Institute of Photonic Sciences, and Institut d'Optique Théorique et Appliquée to develop a photonic quantum computer powered by neutral atom technology. The project, funded by the European Innovation Council, aims to use light as the carrier of quantum information, a method known as continuous variable quantum computing. The consortium will build the foundations of a photonic quantum computer through the interaction between light and a specially ordered assembly of neutral atoms. The technology could enable the creation of exotic states of light with unprecedented efficiency.

PASQAL, a leader in neutral atoms quantum computing, has launched Qadence, an open-source Python library aimed at making digital-analog quantum programs and quantum machine learning more accessible. The software is part of a hybrid approach combining digital quantum computing's precision with analog quantum computing's continuous control.

TT Technical Research Centre of Finland and IQM Quantum Computers have launched Finland's second quantum computer, a 20-qubit device. This follows the completion of the country's first 5-qubit quantum computer in 2021. The Finnish government has invested heavily in quantum computing, with a budget of EUR 70 million to develop a 300-qubit quantum computer.

Researchers from the University of Nottingham, Phasecraft, and QuEra Computing Inc. have received over $1 million from Wellcome Leap to explore quantum computing for drug development for myotonic dystrophy. The project, led by Jonathan Hirst, Katie Inzani, and Ashley Montanaro, aims to use quantum computing to model systems where quantum mechanics plays a key role, such as in drug discovery. Phasecraft, a startup based in Bristol and London, will apply its research in quantum algorithms to this process. The quantum computing hardware for the project has been built by QuEra Computing Inc., a leading provider of quantum computers based on neutral atoms.