Tuesday, October 15th, 2024

Enjoy a nice cup of freshly brewed quantum news ☕️ 

Today’s issue includes:

• Quantum-centric simulations of noncovalent hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions demonstrate quantum solutions' accuracy in modeling potential energy surfaces.

• A prototype qubit-photon interface integrates atomic qubits with optical microcavities for scalable, modular quantum computers and networks.

• A routing and scheduling optimization framework for urban air mobility (UAM) fleet management uses quantum annealing to improve the efficiency of flight path planning.

• Plus, partnerships, hackathon in a box, RF power sensors at cryogenic temperatures, and more.

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

⚛️  Quantum Simulations Accurately Model Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Interactions

QUICK BYTE: A recent preprint from IBM Quantum and the Cleveland Clinic presents quantum-centric simulations of noncovalent hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions demonstrating quantum solutions' accuracy in modeling potential energy surfaces.

DETAILS

• Quantum simulations of supramolecular interactions, specifically hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions in water and methane dimers, are conducted using quantum processors with 27 to 54 qubits. The simulations show remarkable agreement with classical approaches, deviating by less than 1 kcal/mol in the equilibrium regions.

• The sample-based quantum diagonalization method uses quantum and classical computing resources to solve electronic structure problems more accurately, pulling in classical high-performance computing for post-processing quantum measurements. This allows for more efficient quantum sampling, demonstrating quantum processing's capacity for large-scale chemical problems.

• The study demonstrates that for the water and methane dimers, SQD simulations closely align with classical CCSD(T) calculations, often considered the gold standard in chemical accuracy. The study also demonstrates how increasing the number of qubits improves simulation accuracy, notably achieving significant results with a 54-qubit methane dimer simulation. These results testify to the progress in using quantum computers to solve chemical problems, especially for studying noncovalent interactions.

🧱  Nu Quantum Qubit-Photon Interface A Step Towards Scalable, Modular Quantum Networks and Distributed Computing

QUICK BYTE: Nu Quantum has developed a proof-of-concept Qubit-Photon Interface (QPI) that integrates atomic qubits with optical microcavities for scalable, modular quantum computers and networks.

DETAILS

• Nu Quantum's QPI addresses the challenge of efficiently transferring quantum information between light and matter, and may enable the production of modular and distributed quantum computers by creating entanglement between qubits and photons at much higher rates than current lab methods.

• The QPI achieves this through optical microcavities that improve coupling and maintain the stability of qubit states under ultra-high vacuum, making it the first successful industrial-scale demonstration of a passively aligned optical microcavity. The QPI system maintained cavity alignment under extreme conditions, including high-temperature vacuum bakeout.

• The QPI prototype is designed to scale, allowing QPUs from different providers to be connected in a modular quantum network, similar to today's network interface cards. The ultimate goal is to advance from current lab-based methods to industrial-scale deployment such as quantum data centers and distributed quantum computing.

✈️ Quantum Annealing for Urban Air Mobility: A New Framework for Optimizing UAM Fleet Routing and Scheduling

QUICK BYTE: Researchers from Tohoku University and Sumitomo Corporation present a routing and scheduling optimization framework for urban air mobility (UAM) fleet management, using quantum annealing to improve the efficiency of flight path planning.

DETAILS

• The study proposes a method to optimize the routing and scheduling of urban air mobility fleets by using quantum annealing, addressing challenges in managing high-density urban air traffic, guaranteeing safe operations, and minimizing flight path conflicts.

• By defining the problem as a maximum weighted independent set (MWIS) problem, the framework provides efficient pre-flight strategic deconfliction of flight paths and in-flight collision avoidance, potentially providing scalable solutions for large UAM fleets.

• The framework’s efficacy was tested using the OneSky UTM simulator in Singaporean airspace, showing improved airspace utilization and approval of more flight requests compared to classical shortest-first scheduling methods, especially at moderate traffic densities.

• Quantum annealing, though not yet ideal, demonstrated competitive performance with classical solvers, showcasing its potential to solve complex optimization problems in the context of UAM traffic management as the technology matures.

QuEra Computing has secured an investment from Google Quantum AI to advance its neutral atom-based quantum computing technology. This funding will accelerate QuEra's efforts to develop fault-tolerant quantum computers, with a focus on quantum error correction and expanding capabilities outlined in its 2024 roadmap. The amount of the investment has not yet been made public.

The OQI recently announced its Hackathon in a box along with a Quanthaton Full Guide. The guide is designed to help organizations run quantum hackathons that focus on addressing real-world problems, particularly those aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. It provides a step-by-step implementation plan, including guidance on organizing teams, planning the hackathon format, securing sponsorship, and using quantum computing technology for impactful solutions. The guide also emphasizes the importance of community involvement, mentorship, and skill-building, providing templates and resources to support organizers throughout the process.

Keysight Technologies and the National Physical Laboratory have demonstrated the first commercial RF power sensor operating at cryogenic temperatures as low as 3 kelvin. Using Keysight’s N8481S RF power sensor, the collaboration achieved precise RF power measurements relevant for quantum development. This addresses the challenges of maintaining signal integrity in quantum devices, which operate at cryogenic temperatures, and may drive further innovation in quantum computing, communications, and sensing.

Zurich Instruments has partnered with EPFL, Withwave, and Sungkyunkwan University to advance traveling-wave parametric amplifiers, a key technology for precise qubit readout in quantum computing. The Q-LAEP project focuses on improving TWPA performance, reducing back-action, and improving integration to support the scaling of quantum processors. The collaboration brings together expertise in TWPA development, RF engineering, and quantum processor operations.

The QLASS project, led by Politecnico di Milano, has secured €6 million (approximately $6.5 million) in European Commission funding to advance quantum photonic integrated circuits using femtosecond laser writing to fabricate 3D waveguides in glass. The overall goal of the project is to reduce photon losses and integrate high-performance photon sources and superconducting detectors for quantum computing, communication, and sensing applications. A key focus is improving lithium-ion battery technology through quantum modeling, aligning with the European Union's sustainability goals.

LISTEN

On the most recent episode of The Superposition Guy’s podcast, host Yuval Boger, Chief Commercial Officer of QuEra, sits down with Tim Spiller, Director of the Quantum Communications Hub in the UK. Tim describes the Hub’s work on quantum key distribution and quantum networking, as well as advancements in short- and long-range quantum communications. Tim elaborates on the transition from research to commercialization within the UK National Quantum Technologies Program, and shares insights on global quantum initiatives.

ENJOY

Drug discovery has long been a slow, expensive process, but quantum computing may yet prove to be a useful tool within the field. A recent article from Forbes, by Yuval Boger, CCO of QuEra, speaks on how enabling precise simulations of molecular interactions and protein folding, quantum systems may design more effective drugs and tackle diseases. In personalized medicine, quantum machine learning may provide deeper insights into how individuals respond to treatments, overcoming limitations of classical computing. Although still in development, quantum computing's potential to reshape pharmaceuticals is undeniable.

WATCH

Stephanie Wehner is set on developing the quantum internet, committed to create the first operational network by 2030: