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Enjoy today’s breakdown of news, research, events & jobs within quantum.

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IN TODAY’S ISSUE:

• Rigetti launches QPU Partner Program to support on-premise quantum computing via collaboration between trusted hardware and software providers

• +1 for real-world quantum applications: Researchers use VQE for first-principles analysis of silicon properties

• A neat gas microscopy image of that purgatory where atoms as particles expand into atoms as waves

• Plus, on the global front: China’s new record-breaking quantum chip, Australia invests in quantum, and Japan is restricting quantum technology exports

BRIEF BYTES

NEWS FOR THOSE IN A HURRY

• The Chinese Academy of Sciences has introduced a 504-qubit superconducting quantum chip named "Xiaohong" which sets a new record within China for qubit count. This chip, designed to test QuantumCTek's kilo-qubit control system, will be accessible globally via China Telecom Quantum Group's cloud platform.

• Australia has entered the quantum chat. It strengthens its position as a quantum technology leader with an $18 million government investment to establish Quantum Australia. This new entity will bring together top universities and industry leaders to propel the nation’s local quantum advancements forward.

• Johann Polecsak of QAN blockchain platform warns that popular blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum are vulnerable to quantum computing attacks due to the challenges of migrating to quantum-resistant cryptography. He advises that without proper secondary authentication methods, transitioning to post-quantum systems could lead to significant financial losses and compromise the security of blockchain assets.

• Japan will expand export restrictions on four key technologies crucial to semiconductors and quantum computing in hopes of controlling the spread of strategic technologies with potential military uses. Licenses will be required to export these quantum technologies which will in turn affect trade with major partners like South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan.

• An arxiv preprint captures atoms as they expand into a wave:

  

  Extended wave packets using quantum gas microscopy (Credit: “In-situ Imaging of a Single-Atom Wave Packet in Continuous Space”)

TOP HEADLINES IN NEWS & RESEARCH

NEWS

RIGETTI RELEASES NOVERA QPU PARTNER PROGRAM

The Brief Byte:  Rigetti Computing announces the Novera QPU Partner Program which brings together hardware, software, and service providers to make on-premises quantum computing capabilities more accessible. The program supports the integration of the commercially available 9-qubit Novera QPU with various quantum computing components to meet diverse research and system needs.

Breakdown:

• The Novera QPU Partner Program includes companies specializing in cryogenics, control systems, software, and integration services. These partnerships ensure that Novera QPU customers have access to an all-encompassing and compatible set of technologies to construct a comprehensive quantum computing system.

• The Novera QPU, built on Rigetti’s fourth-generation Ankaa-class architecture, features 12 tunable couplers, 9 qubits, and a dense connectivity layout that enables fast two-qubit operations. Although small-scale, this high-performing model has already been purchased by large organizations such as Fermilab, the Air Force Research Lab, and Horizon Quantum Computing.

Unbox the “plug-and-play” Novera QPU below.

• Founding members of the program include established leaders in quantum computing such as Bluefors, Zurich Instruments, Q-CTRL, and Riverlane among others. Rigetti continue to expand the list of partners.

RESEARCH

RESEARCHERS UNVEIL PRACTICAL QUANTUM COMPUTING SOLUTION FOR MATERIAL SCIENCE

The Brief Byte: In a demonstrably practical application of a quantum computer, researchers apply the variational quantum eigensolver through a combination of quantum and classical computing techniques to predict the properties of solid materials from basic scientific principles.

Breakdown:

• Simulating solid-state materials is challenging. The most commonly used method is density functional theory but it often inaccurately describes electron behaviors and energy gaps in certain materials. Alternatives also fall short with complex systems. More precise methods in quantum chemistry exist but require significant computational resources.

• The variational quantum eigensolver is an effective method that can be used on current-state NISQ devices. This research successfully uses the VQE through the practical use of combined quantum-classical computing methods to calculate the quasiparticle band structure of silicon.

quasiparticle band structure: the range of energy levels that quasiparticles can occupy within a material

The use of Silicon for this research is relevant due to its fundamental role in semiconductor technology and its well-documented properties.

• The researchers applied qubit-reduction readout, readout-error mitigation, and zero-noise exploitation to further improve the accuracy of the calculations.

• This study accurately reproduced quasiparticle band structures using quantum computations showing key progress toward using quantum computers for solid-state material analysis. However, scaling up these computations is a major challenge. The study suggests that more efficient error-mitigation and advanced hybrid quantum-classical algorithms could improve scalability.

EVENTS

• Today, Friday, April 26 | Quantum.Tech USA 2024 Conference

• Wednesday, May 1 | Results w/ QuEra: New Features on QuEra’s Analog Computer

• Wednesday, May 1 - Thursday, May 2 | Quantum Connections Conference at University of Waterloo (in-person only)

• Now - May 31 | Register for Google/X-Prize Quantum Challenge

JOBS POSTED WITHIN LAST 24 HOURS

• USRA Visiting Scientist, Quantum | San Jose, CA (Hybrid) $92K - $146.3K

• Argonne National Laboratory Postdoctoral Appointee - Quantum Materials | Lemont, IL

• ECS Technical Project Manager - Quantum Science | Arlington, VA

UNTIL TOMORROW.

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