Quantum News Briefs: February 6, 2024: Multiverse Computing and Single Quantum Launch Materials Science Research Contract with German Aerospace Center; QuEra to build world’s most advanced quantum computing testbed in the UK; Noise Resilient Quantum-Classical Computing Method Can Help PlanCellular Communication Networks; UK to invest £45m in quantum computing; “Can we build a safe and inclusive ‘quantum economy’?”; and MORE!
Quantum News Briefs: February 6, 2024:
Multiverse Computing and Single Quantum Launch Materials Science Research Contract with German Aerospace Center
In a major advancement for quantum communications technology, Multiverse Computing, and Single Quantum have secured a USD 1.4 million contract with the German Aerospace Center’s Quantum Computing Initiative (DLR QCI) for a project aimed at enhancing the capabilities of superconducting single-photon detectors, crucial components in quantum communications. The collaboration is set to leverage quantum simulation techniques to improve the transmission qualities of these detectors, promising to outdo classical methods in both efficiency and accuracy. This initiative not only underlines the potential of quantum applications across various fields, including deep-space communication and bio-imaging, but also strengthens Multiverse Computing’s standing in the quantum computing sector. The project is a step forward in realizing the DLR QCI’s goals of advancing quantum computing expertise and supporting the development of quantum algorithms for industrial applications.
QuEra to build world’s most advanced quantum computing testbed in the UK
QuEra Computing has announced a new initiative to establish one of the world’s most advanced quantum computing testbeds at the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) in Harwell, Oxfordshire. Funded by the NQCC and supported by the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), this testbed, developed in collaboration with UK-based partners, aims to pioneer the use of ‘logical qubits’ for error detection and correction in quantum calculations—a significant step towards scalable and practical quantum computing. QuEra’s testbed will feature innovative qubit shuttling technology, allowing qubits to maintain their quantum state while moving, facilitating entanglement and overcoming previous scalability barriers. Expected to be operational by early 2025, this project positions the UK as a leader in quantum computing technology and enhances the quantum computing infrastructure, offering significant benefits for researchers, developers, and the broader UK quantum industry in developing scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computers.
Noise Resilient Quantum-Classical Computing Method Can Help PlanCellular Communication Networks
PASQAL, a leading company in neutral atoms quantum computing, and the LINKS research team, renowned for their expertise in High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Quantum Computing, have announced a significant advancement in cellular network technology. They have developed a noise-resilient, hybrid quantum-classical algorithm capable of efficiently solving the Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) assignment problem, a critical challenge in the organization of cell communication networks for ensuring equal network capacity across devices. This algorithm, which leverages the unique capabilities of PASQAL’s neutral atom quantum technology and was tested on the company’s first commercial device, Fresnel, has demonstrated the potential to significantly improve the handover process of mobile signals between cell towers. The successful implementation of this algorithm for solving graph-based problems presents a promising advancement for cellular network management and other industrial and scientific applications.
UK to invest £45m in quantum computing
Science Minister Andrew Griffith announced a significant £45m investment to propel the UK into a quantum-enabled economy by 2033. This investment is earmarked for leveraging the transformative potential of quantum technology across various sectors, including healthcare, energy, and transport. A major chunk of the funding (£30m) is allocated for developing and deploying prototype quantum computers to facilitate controlled experimental environments for scientists and engineers. The rest (£15m) is directed towards the Quantum Catalyst Fund, intended for projects that expedite the incorporation of quantum solutions within the public sector, such as a high-tech brain scanner for better diagnosis of conditions like epilepsy and dementia, and a smart navigation system for trains to improve safety and efficiency. This initiative, supported by the UK Research and Innovation Technology Missions Fund and the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), underscores the UK’s commitment to bridging the gap between academic research and commercial quantum computing applications, aiming to foster a quantum-advanced nation within the next decade.
Swiss Researchers find Long-lived qubits survive via isolation within a noisy environment
Researchers from Switzerland’s Paul Scherrer Institute, ETH Zurich, and EPF Lausanne have made a significant discovery in quantum computing, challenging the long-held belief that qubits require isolation to maintain their quantum state. By studying qubits formed from terbium ions doped into yttrium lithium fluoride crystals, the team found that qubits in close pairs exhibited significantly longer coherence times, even in noisy environments. This remarkable coherence, observed through microwave spectroscopy and spin echo probes, suggests that these paired-ion qubits are less perturbed by external interactions than their more isolated counterparts. The findings, which showed coherence times 100 times longer for the paired ions, offer new insights into quantum computing architecture design and the potential use of qubits as quantum sensors. This research, published in Nature Physics and emphasizing the resilience of certain qubit configurations in the presence of noise, opens up new avenues for optimizing quantum computing and sensing technologies, promising advancements in understanding many-body localization and minimizing magnetic noise in quantum systems.
In Other News: World Economic Forum article: “Can we build a safe and inclusive ‘quantum economy’?”
A recent article from the World Economic Forum, in collaboration with IBM and SandboxAQ, has unveiled the Quantum Economy Blueprint, a comprehensive guide to foster the development of a global quantum economy. This initiative outlines steps for nations to create national quantum strategies, enhance access to quantum technologies, and increase awareness of their potential. Quantum technologies, leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics, promise to revolutionize industries by solving complex problems beyond the reach of classical computing, from healthcare and climate change to security and finance. The blueprint emphasizes the importance of inclusive, responsible development and collaboration across governments, academia, and industry to build a quantum-literate workforce, ensure national and economic security, and manage cybersecurity threats. With quantum technology attracting $40 billion in global public sector investment, this blueprint aims to democratize access to quantum advancements, ensuring they benefit society and address some of the most pressing global challenges.
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry is the Managing Editor at Inside Quantum Technology and the Science Communicator at JILA (a partnership between the University of Colorado Boulder and NIST). Her writing beats include deep tech, quantum computing, and AI. Her work has been featured in National Geographic, Scientific American, Discover Magazine, New Scientist, Ars Technica, and more.
