Tuesday, September 17th, 2024

Enjoy a nice cup of freshly brewed quantum news ☕️ 

Today’s issue includes:

• Researchers from Zhejiang University, Tsinghua University, the Shanghai Qi Zhi Institute, and others completed the first experimental demonstration of quantum continual learning using a fully programmable superconducting processor.

• Colorado launched a Quantum Tech Park in Arvada, backed by $40.5 million in federal funding.

• IBM benchmarked various quantum software development kits and found Qiskit to be the highest-performing SDK.

• Plus, quantum sensing using deformed four-headed kitten states, improved color-code quantum error correction, the advantage of co-designing algorithms with hardware, and more.

And even more research, news, & events within quantum.

🤖 Researchers Achieve First Experimental Demonstration of Quantum Continual Learning on Superconducting Processor with 92% Accuracy

QUICK BYTE: Researchers from Zhejiang University, Tsinghua University, the Shanghai Qi Zhi Institute, and others completed the first experimental demonstration of quantum continual learning using a fully programmable superconducting processor, where researchers successfully trained a quantum classifier to sequentially learn multiple tasks.

DETAILS: 

• Researchers demonstrated quantum continual learning on a fully programmable superconducting quantum processor, using a quantum classifier trained sequentially on tasks including image recognition and quantum state classification.

• The team addressed the issue of catastrophic forgetting, a common problem in both classical and quantum machine learning, by using the elastic weight consolidation method, which balances learning new tasks and retaining performance on prior tasks.

• The quantum classifier achieved improved results in comparison to classical classifiers, with a continual learning accuracy of over 92%, implying potential quantum advantages in handling sequential tasks.

• Quantum artificial intelligence may be used to maintain knowledge across multiple tasks, which is essential for future dynamic, real-world applications.

🏔️ Colorado Quantum Tech Park to Accelerate Innovation, Job Creation, and Leadership in Quantum Technology

QUICK BYTE: Colorado launched a Quantum Tech Park in Arvada, backed by $40.5 million in federal funding, to position the state as a global hub for quantum technology development, innovation, and workforce training.

DETAILS: 

• Colorado has launched a new Quantum Tech Park in Arvada, referred to as the Quantum COmmons, backed by $40.5 million in federal funding and additional state support as part of the Elevate Quantum initiative.

• The park is expected to create up to 10,000 jobs by 2030 and accelerate the development of quantum computing by supporting innovation, manufacturing, and workforce training, with a focus on cryogenics and materials research.

• Developed in collaboration with regional partners like the Colorado School of Mines and the University of Colorado Boulder, the park will help companies scale quantum technology operations and bring products to market.

• This initiative is part of Colorado’s broader effort, supported by federal Tech Hub recognition and state-level tax incentives, to attract quantum companies and compete globally, particularly in the race against countries like China.

💻️ IBM Benchmark Confirms Qiskit as Top-Performing Quantum SDK

QUICK BYTE: IBM benchmarked various quantum software development kits and found Qiskit to be the highest-performing SDK.

DETAILS: 

• IBM released benchmarking results showing that Qiskit is the highest-performing quantum software development kit (SDK) compared to other leading SDKs, such as BQSKit, Braket, Cirq, Staq, and TKET, based on over 1,000 standardized tests from universities and national labs.

• Qiskit’s claimed superior performance was demonstrated— by completing more tests, running 13 times faster in circuit transpilation, and producing circuits with 24% fewer two-qubit gates compared to the next best-performing SDK, TKET.

• The testing was conducted using a suite called Benchpress, which is now open-source, allowing industry stakeholders to further compare the performance of various quantum SDKs.

• IBM also introduced new performance improvements to Qiskit, including AI-powered transpiler passes and enhancements through the Rust programming language, significantly improving circuit quality and reducing computational bottlenecks for large quantum systems.

Scientists from Jiangsu University, Nantong University, and others explore quantum sensing using deformed four-headed kitten states, derived by photon addition and subtraction to coherent states, demonstrating improved sub-Planck structures and sensitivity to displacements. This approach improves quantum metrology by achieving isotropic sensitivity across phase space, particularly beneficial for precise measurements and improved quantum state manipulation, which affects applications in quantum sensing.

IonQ announced its participation in the 2024 Fast Company Innovation Festival, where the company will contribute to discussions on the future of technology, with a focus on quantum computing's potential to solve complex problems. The Innovation Festival, featuring notable speakers such as Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella and Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos, highlights quantum computing as the next major phase in technological development, with IonQ helping to illustrate its impact on industries like life sciences, logistics, AI, and energy.

Researchers from Osaka University and RIKEN improved the error threshold for color-code quantum error correction by optimizing decoder weights using flagged qubits. They demonstrated that this approach raised the threshold for the (4.8.8) color code from 0.14% to 0.27% and for the (6.6.6) color code to 0.36%, allowing more accurate quantum error correction.

Research from University of Stuttgart, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF, and others focuses on strategies to improve digitized counterdiabatic quantum optimization (DC-QAOA) algorithms by co-optimizing gate sequences, algorithm parameters, and qubit mapping. Researchers demonstrated the effectiveness of these strategies on real quantum hardware, achieving up to a 77.2% reduction in CX gate count and a 90.8% reduction in circuit depth compared to standard compilers like Qiskit and Tket, resulting in an 84.8% improvement in the approximation ratio when error mitigation techniques were applied, demonstrating the advantages of co-designing algorithms with hardware to improve the performance.

Keysight Technologies introduced Quantum Circuit Simulation (Quantum Ckt Sim), the first electronic design automation environment to incorporate frequency-domain flux quantization, developed in collaboration with Google Quantum AI. This new tool allows for precise modeling of superconducting quantum circuits, improving the design of large, nonlinear quantum circuits and improving qubit readout fidelity. The solution includes a comprehensive library of quantum devices and advanced simulators, streamlining the development process for quantum amplifiers and other critical components in quantum computing systems.

QuEra Computing announced the appointment of Ed Durkin as Chief Financial Officer. Durkin, who has extensive experience in guiding high-growth technology companies, will oversee QuEra’s financial operations and strategic planning as the company experiences rapid growth, expanding partnerships, and increasing customer adoption of its quantum solutions. Durkin's background includes leadership roles at Casa Systems, Fuze, and Actifio, where he excelled in financial strategy, capital raising, and corporate development.

LISTEN

On the most recent episode of the Superposition Guy’s podcast, host Yuval Boger, CMO of QuEra, sits down with Charlee Stefanski, software engineer and Constantin Gonciulea, an expert in math and quantum computing, both from Wells Fargo. Co-authors of Building Quantum Software, they discuss their new book aimed at developers and readers with a basic background in math and programming, emphasizing a deeper understanding of quantum algorithms like Grover’s algorithm and the quantum Fourier transform. They also cover the importance of hybrid quantum-classical algorithms and the development of their own high-performance quantum simulator.

ENJOY

In a recent Nature article, the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics is recognized for its long-term role in encouraging scientific diplomacy since its inception, navigating geopolitical tensions and promoting global collaboration among physicists. Despite challenges throughout its history, IUPAP has consistently advocated for international cooperation, believing passionately that scientific internationalism is not automatic but requires deliberate effort from the global scientific community.

WATCH

A panel discussion on QuDits for Quantum Technology, hosted by Christine Muschik, features experts discussing advancements in quantum technology at the University of Waterloo's workshop: