Wednesday, October 9th, 2024

Enjoy a nice cup of freshly brewed quantum news ☕️ 

Today’s issue includes:

•  A study strongly suggests current NISQ devices can outperform classical supercomputers under specific conditions.

• A quantum computing algorithm is developed for the Lattice-Boltzmann Method in computational fluid dynamics.

• A new method to maintains a register of 1,200 atoms in continuous operation for over an hour.

• Plus, a record fundraising round for quantum software, Europe’s largest sampling-based photonic quantum computer, global laser detuning, and more.

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

🔇 Google AI Identifies 'Low-Noise Phase' in Quantum Devices Where Quantum May Outperform Supercomputers

QUICK BYTE: A Google Quantum AI-led study suggests that current NISQ devices can outperform classical supercomputers under specific conditions, identifying a "low-noise phase" where computational complexity remains high enough to maintain quantum advantage.

DETAILS

• The central goal behind the research focused on identifying a stable computational phase within NISQ devices, where quantum systems retain global correlations even in the presence of noise, potentially allowing them to outperform classical supercomputers. The team used Google’s 67-qubit Sycamore chip for these experiments.

• Using random circuit sampling, a method using random quantum gate sequences, and cross-entropy benchmarking, a comparison of experimental and theoretical output distributions, the researchers analyzed phase transitions in the system, examining the depth of quantum computations and error rates per cycle to pinpoint the phase where quantum advantage is achievable.

• Their results indicated that when noise levels are kept below a critical threshold, the quantum system's outputs become too complex for classical algorithms to simulate effectively, highlighting the potential for NISQ devices to solve real-world problems in areas like finance and life sciences.

〰️ Altair and the Technical University of Munich Develop Quantum Algorithm for Faster, Scalable Computational Fluid Dynamics

QUICK BYTE: Altair and the Technical University of Munich have developed a quantum computing algorithm for the Lattice-Boltzmann Method in computational fluid dynamics, providing a faster and more complex simulation for the practical application of quantum computing in product design and engineering.

^DETAILS.

• Researchers from Altair and the Technical University of Munich developed a quantum algorithm for the Lattice-Boltzmann Method that brings nonlinear, three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics to quantum computing for the first time.

• The algorithm addresses key challenges of quantum computing implementation by applying a unitary transformation for classical CFD and integrating machine learning to handle non-linear aspects, improving upon model scalability and computation speed compared to classical methods.

• The potential to apply quantum computing to industries reliant on CFD simulations could affect healthcare, finance, and the natural sciences, by enabling exponentially faster and more accurate simulations for complex designs.

⚛️ ^{Max Planck and planqc Achieve Continuous Operation of 1,200 Neutral Atoms, Advancing Scalable Quantum Computing}

^{QUICK BYTE:} A team of physicists from the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics and planqc has developed a method to maintain a register of 1,200 atoms in continuous operation for over an hour, contributing to the scaling of quantum computing platforms with neutral atoms.

^DETAILS

• A research group successfully created a register of 1,200 neutral atoms in an optical lattice and maintained it for over an hour using a technique that allows real-time replenishment of lost atoms, overcoming one limitation in scaling quantum systems.

• The experiment, conducted with alkaline-earth atom strontium, reloaded approximately 130 atoms into the register every 3.5 seconds, addressing the issue of atomic losses that typically hinder the stability and size of quantum computing systems.

  This technique is highly relevant for the future realization of practical quantum computing, as it provides a way to perform continuous, large-scale quantum calculations and simulations, which are essential for long-lasting, error-corrected quantum algorithms needed in industry.

• Future work by the team will focus on converting each atom into a fully functional qubit with controlled interactions.

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a photonic-measurement-based quantum computation method that uses high-dimensional spatial encoding to overcome scalability issues in generating large cluster states. By encoding multiple qubits within a single photon, they successfully created cluster states with over nine qubits at 100 Hz, reducing detection probability issues common in standard approaches. Their method also enables instantaneous feedforward, which may shorten computation times and promote resource-efficient, scalable quantum computing.

Chinese company Origin Quantum is upgrading its production line for superconducting quantum computers after achieving stable operation of its self-developed 72-qubit chip on the Origin Wukong quantum computer. The firm plans to increase chip performance and scale up production, aiming to assemble up to eight quantum computers simultaneously. This expansion aligns with China's push for technological self-sufficiency, driven by US trade sanctions, and follows Origin Quantum's recent inclusion on the US trade blacklist for attempting to enhance its quantum capabilities with US-origin technology. Despite the sanctions, the Wukong computer has completed over 270,000 tasks globally.

SEALSQ Corp announced research, developed with Mines Saint-Etienne, introduces a memory-efficient implementation of the CRYSTALS-Kyber algorithm, that the memory footprint to 3KB while supporting Kyber-512, Kyber-768, and Kyber-1024 on microcontrollers and embedded devices. This innovation aligns with NIST’s FIPS-203 directive, ensuring security for industries as quantum computing evolves, which threatens to break current encryption methods like RSA and ECC.

A Caltech team has developed a device that integrates atomic clocks with quantum computers, providing ultraprecise time measurements. Their study demonstrates the potential for achieving unprecedented precision by entangling atoms in a tweezer clock array, a method that improves the accuracy of timekeeping. This contribution to quantum metrology could assist in probing fundamental physics, such as testing Einstein's theory of relativity and detecting gravitational waves.

Eviden has partnered with IQM Quantum Computers to make quantum computing accessible for businesses and organizations by installing IQM Spark, a superconducting quantum computer. This system, known for its high-fidelity single and two-qubit gates, will be used for educational purposes and experimental research, offering customers physical and remote access through Eviden’s private cloud. This partnership intends to accelerate quantum adoption, provide flexible experimentation, improve integration with high-performance computing, and encourage the development of quantum applications and noise-aware compilers through Eviden’s Qaptiva offering.

Multiverse Computing has been selected to develop a quantum-inspired gesture recognition system for Airbus Defence and Space as part of the EPIIC European Defence Fund project. The system, designed for fighter jets, will allow pilots to control aircraft systems using hand gestures instead of traditional controls, enhancing situational awareness and performance. The project, which involves over 20 organizations across 12 European countries, will test the solution in a simulated environment at Airbus facilities, with a focus on creating robust, adaptive controls for challenging cockpit conditions.

^LISTEN

A webinar introduces QuEra's 256-qubit quantum computer, Aquila, highlighting its capabilities in revolutionizing machine learning, simulation, and optimization. Led by Chief Commercial Officer Yuval Boger and QuEra scientists, the session explores practical quantum computing applications, such as optimizing complex systems and simulating intricate scenarios, followed by a Q&A session addressing audience questions in real time.

^ENJOY

Robert Sutor, a key figure in the global quantum computing industry, compares the journey of building quantum computers to the space race, noting that while landing on the moon took only eight years, quantum computing is taking longer. In a recent interview, he confesses that views the industry as being in its early phases, akin to NASA’s Gemini program, where companies are experimenting with different qubit technologies but still face challenges in scaling. Sutor believes startups like Nu Quantum, which focuses on networking quantum computers, are important to advancing the field, as no single approach to qubits will dominate. He emphasizes that while the industry is still optimistic, not every company’s approach will succeed, and real progress will depend on startups solving specific, foundational challenges.

^WATCH

The use of classical computing techniques to improve quantum algorithms for solving quantum chemistry problems, specifically by partitioning the electronic Hamiltonian into diagonalizable fragments, may increase the efficiency of quantum computing methods like the Variational Quantum Eigensolver and Quantum Phase Estimation: