Quantum News Briefs: February 1, 2024:
Veeco Advances Quantum Tech with GEN20-Q MBE System
Veeco Instruments Inc. has announced the shipment of its GEN20-Q™ Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) system to Taiwan-based semiconductor and opto-electronics company Hermes-Epitek. This advanced system, specifically designed for quantum device production, will be instrumental in the epitaxial growth of superconductor and semiconductor materials, enhancing crystalline and superconducting properties crucial for quantum computing technologies. This marks a significant step in Veeco’s efforts to revolutionize quantum computing, as highlighted by Matthew Marek, Senior Director of Marketing for Veeco’s MBE Group. The shipment aligns with the growing investment in quantum technologies, which has reached over $30 billion, with a substantial portion allocated to quantum computing hardware. Veeco’s GEN20-Q MBE system, distinguished by its tailored design for multiple quantum computing techniques and scalability for high-volume production, exemplifies its commitment to advancing quantum technology and strengthening its network of industry partnerships.
Chemistry takes an ultracold turn – First tetratomic supermolecules realised at nanokelvin temperatures by Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics Researchers
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have made groundbreaking discoveries in ultracold chemistry and quantum materials. They have successfully created and stabilized a new type of molecule, “field-linked tetratomic molecules” or “supermolecules,” at an unprecedented low temperature of 134 nanokelvin. These polyatomic molecules are composed of more than two atoms and are fragile, existing only at ultracold temperatures. This achievement, published in Nature, marks a significant advance in molecular physics and studying exotic ultracold matter. The supermolecules exhibit a unique bound state, much weaker and longer-reaching than typical chemical bonds, allowing researchers to vary their shape and size with a microwave field. This discovery opens up new possibilities in cold chemistry, precision measurements, and quantum information processing. The team’s next goal is to cool these bosonic supermolecules further to form a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), potentially leading to novel quantum fluids with unique properties.
An Overview and Forecast of India’s Cloud Based Quantum Computing Market
The “India Cloud Based Quantum Computing Market, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2029” report, added to ResearchAndMarkets.com, forecasts significant growth in India’s cloud-based quantum computing market by 2029. Leveraging quantum physics principles, this technology is poised to revolutionize various sectors, with India emerging as a key global player. The country’s strong digital sector, robust research institutions, and increasing interest in quantum technology drive this growth. The Indian government’s proactive approach, notably through the National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications (NM-QTA), is crucial in fostering this development. Investments in cloud data centers are also expected to boost market growth. The market is segmented into hardware, software, and services, with applications in machine learning, optimization, biomedical simulations, and financial services. Key sectors include IT & Telecom, BFSI, manufacturing, healthcare, and energy & utilities. Major companies mentioned in the report include Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys Limited, Wipro Limited, and international giants like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, highlighting the market’s dynamic and collaborative nature.
D-Wave Says its Time is Now
D-Wave, an early pioneer in quantum computing, reaffirmed its leading position in the commercial quantum era during its first in-person Analyst Day. CEO Alan Baratz emphasized D-Wave’s unique status as the only company offering commercial quantum computing services. He highlighted that D-Wave is not just the first in the field but also the only one with quantum computers and services supporting business applications in production. Despite skepticism within the quantum industry, D-Wave has made significant strides with its quantum annealing approach, which differs from the gate-based systems pursued by others. Baratz stressed that gate model systems are years away from solving real-world problems without error correction. In contrast, D-Wave’s quantum annealing, effective for certain problems, does not require active error correction. D-Wave, which went public in 2022, faces financial market pressures but continues to innovate, recently announcing a 1,200+ qubit Advantage2 prototype. The company is also developing gate-based systems using fluxonium qubits. Customer case studies, like Pattison Food Group’s use of D-Wave for scheduling, demonstrate practical applications of D-Wave’s technology. With a focus on quantum computing as a service, D-Wave is working towards a predictable revenue model through engagements like proofs of concept and production offerings.
Exail unveils groundbreaking low Vπ LiNbO3 phase modulator for high-power lasers
Exail, a prominent high-tech company, has launched a new low Vπ LiNbO3 phase modulator designed for high-power laser applications, including Coherent Beam Combination (CBC) and Spectral Beam Combination (SBC). This cutting-edge modulator is tailored to handle up to 300 mW optical input at 1060 nm, ensuring high stability over time, temperature, and vibration while significantly reducing power consumption. Nicolas Grossard, Product Manager at Exail, highlights the modulator’s meticulous design focused on stability and efficiency, setting new industry standards in optical modulation. Key features of the modulator include an annealed proton exchange process, very low insertion loss (< 3 dB), high optical power handling, and minimal power consumption with a Vπ of only 2 V @ 50 kHz. This innovation is significant for coherent and spectral beam combinations, providing a uniform intensity distribution and optimal efficiency, with options available at various wavelengths.
In Other News: The Register article: “Investors threw 50% less money at quantum last year”
In the past year, quantum computing companies experienced a significant drop in venture capital funding, with a 50% decrease globally, as investors redirected their focus towards generative AI and safer bets, states a recent the Register article. Despite progress in the field, practical applications of quantum technology remain years away, contributing to this shift in investor interest. The 2023 State of Quantum report, produced by IQM, OpenOcean, and Lakestar, noted that quantum technology investment fell from $2.2 billion in 2022 to around $1.2 billion last year. The decline was particularly pronounced in the US, where quantum venture capital dropped by 80%. In comparison, the Asia-Pacific region saw a 17% decrease, and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) experienced a slight 3% growth. Experts attribute this trend to a broader shift in venture capital dynamics and a growing emphasis on immediate returns from technologies like generative AI. Despite this, quantum computing continues to advance, with notable developments such as IBM and Atom Computing unveiling quantum systems with over 1,000 qubits. However, the industry faces challenges maintaining interest and investment over the next 5 to 20 years until quantum computing reaches its full potential.
In Other News: Cointelegraph article: “Experts say ‘no quantum winter’ in 2024 amid rapid advancements”
The “IQM–OpenOcean–Lakestar State of Quantum 2024” report suggests a positive outlook for the quantum computing sector in 2024 despite a 50% global investment decline in 2023, highlights a recent CoinTelegraph article. Contrary to fears of a “quantum winter,” the sector is expected to remain resilient due to strong government support and ongoing technological advancements. Europe’s quantum sector, in particular, defied the global trend with a 3% growth amidst the downturn. However, the report acknowledges uncertainties and challenges, including competition from AI for attention and investment and the indeterminate timeline for quantum computing’s full maturation. To navigate these uncertainties, government investments and partnerships are seen as critical. Promising developments are on the horizon, with companies like IBM, QuEra, and Quantinuum announcing significant milestones in quantum computing, including developing large-scale, error-corrected quantum systems, expected within this decade.
In Other News: Popular Mechanics article: “A Laser Breakthrough Could Change Quantum Machines Forever”
A recent Popular Mechanics article says that scientists from the University of Tokyo have made a significant breakthrough in quantum computing by successfully using “qumodes,” a quantum unit that relies on photons to carry information, distinct from the widely known qubits. Qumodes, part of continuous-variable (CV) quantum information, have the potential to make quantum computers faster due to their ability to contain an infinite number of states. In a recent experiment published in Science, the Tokyo team demonstrated quantum calculations using carefully modified laser pulses to manipulate photons. This approach could enable a few qumodes to match the computing power of hundreds of qubits. The concept of photonic quantum computing, dating back to at least 2000, has seen advancements such as China’s Jiuzhang system, which claimed quantum supremacy in 2020. European startups like Quix Quantum are also exploring photonic quantum computing. This development indicates a significant expansion in quantum computing beyond the realm of qubits, with the potential for faster and more efficient quantum computers.
In Other News: CPR News article: “Colorado is a regional quantum hub, but what does that mean?”
Colorado has been designated as a regional tech hub for the quantum industry by the U.S. government, aligning it to receive federal grants under the CHIPS and Science Act, states a recent CPR News article. This act aims to boost investment in emerging technologies, including quantum computing. Colorado Matters senior host Ryan Warner discussed with CPR business reporter Sarah Mulholland what quantum technology entails and its potential impact. Quantum physics involves principles governing the behavior of the smallest units in the universe, like atoms, which exist in a non-binary state. This contrasts with classical mechanics, which applies to larger, observable phenomena. Although over a century old and already influential in devices like GPS and MRI machines, Quantum technology is undergoing a “Quantum 2.0” revolution. This phase focuses on quantum computing and sensors, with quantum computers expected to be significantly faster and more powerful than current ones. However, the practicality of quantum computers remains speculative, with their functional form still undetermined. Colorado’s role as a tech hub will involve funding for quantum sensing applications and education for the future quantum workforce. At the same time, companies in the state continue to develop and experiment with quantum computing technologies.
In Other News: Investor Place article: “3 Stocks at the Forefront of Quantum Innovation”
The quantum computing sector is gaining momentum, with several leading tech companies making significant strides in this revolutionary field. IBM, Alphabet, and Microsoft are at the forefront of these quantum innovation stocks, each approaching quantum computing uniquely, highlights an InvestorPlace article. IBM has made advances in quantum hardware, recently announcing plans to install a 156-qubit processor in South Korea by 2028, attracting attention from sectors like finance, bio-healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. Alphabet, having claimed quantum supremacy in 2019, is focusing on reducing error rates in its quantum systems, a crucial step toward building an error-corrected quantum computer. Microsoft is carving out a niche with its Q# development language, aiming to empower developers to create sophisticated quantum algorithms and applications, potentially giving it a competitive edge. These developments indicate a promising future for quantum computing, with these companies poised to lead the charge in what could be a transformative technological era.