Welcome to the Quantum Realm. 

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

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IN TODAY’S ISSUE:

• How the physics of active matter systems in nature such as swarming bacteria and flocking birds inspired the research behind the induction of ferromagnetism in quantum systems, providing insight into potential quantum technology applications

• A method to determine the optimal path between two nodes as it relates to the optimization of scalable and secure QKD networks

• Recent investments from India and Australia are securing the respective nations’ spots in the future of quantum computing

• Plus, US policymakers would do well to heed historical lessons by sufficiently funding quantum technologies and the quantum reason you might be having issues with Google Chrome lately

BRIEF BYTES

NEWS FOR THOSE IN A HURRY

• The Institute of Engineering and Management in Kolkata, India recently launched the Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computing. The center is committed to empowering students and researchers alike to pursue development across the many domains of quantum computing by securing membership with the IBM Quantum Network for access to state-of-the-art quantum technology as well as the Advanced Density Matrix Simulator from AWS Braket.

• US-based startup PsiQuantum will receive almost $1 billion in funding from the Australian government to develop a fault-tolerant quantum computer. The investment is part of the “Future Made in Australia Act” which aims to push Australia to the forefront of global quantum computing efforts.

• We’re often told that understanding history allows us to better prepare for the future and quantum computing is no exception — this TIME article emphasizes the importance of historical lessons in shaping the future of quantum computing while urging U.S. policymakers to boost funding and support to maintain America’s lead in race against global competitors.

• Researchers from the Université Paris Diderot and the Université Paris-Saclay have developed a new method for encoding quantum information using Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill states. The encoding method uses continuous collective time and frequency variables of single photons which allows for practical error correction in quantum systems by managing phase space displacements more effectively. This would in turn allow for more stable long-distance quantum communication and the potential for scalable quantum computing architectures.

• China's $220 million Synergetic Extreme Condition User Facility is advancing the search for new superconductors by providing researchers global access to extreme conditions like high pressures, strong magnetic fields, and very low temperatures. This collaborative approach enhances the potential for breakthrough discoveries in superconductivity which could imply advancements for quantum computing technologies.

• After enabling the quantum-resistant X25519Kyber768 mechanism by default in Google Chrome 124, users report issues with connecting to websites and servers. This new security feature aims to protect against future quantum decryption attacks but has caused compatibility problems which have led to dropped connections. Admins can address these issues by disabling the feature temporarily or updating their systems to support the new protocol.

• The Emerging Payments Association Asia announced the formation of Work Group on Quantum-Safe Cryptography. This group includes major players like IBM, HSBC, AP+, and PayPal and will drive the adoption of quantum-safe cryptography within the banking and payments industries. They plan to develop a roadmap for implementing post-quantum cryptography to protect critical financial data and transactions.

TOP HEADLINES IN NEWS & RESEARCH

NEWS

FERROMAGNETISM INDUCED IN QUANTUM SYSTEMS, INSPIRED BY FLOCKING BIRDS

The Brief Byte:  Researchers from the University of Tokyo and RIKEN, inspired by the physics of active matter such as that seen in the flocking of birds, have induced ferromagnetism in quantum systems by increasing particle motility. This breakthrough could significantly impact quantum technologies reliant on magnetic properties.

Breakdown:

• Systems such as flocking birds or swarming bacteria self-organize from disordered to ordered states. These are examples of active matter. This research team was interested in how this could be applied to quantum systems, as that is one area that has not yet been explored but would have implications for quantum technologies.

The concept of patterns in nature emerging from what may initially seem disordered reminds me of Conway’s Game of Life.

• The team developed a theoretical model where increased motility among atoms led atoms to self-organize into a ferromagnetic state. This state is characterized by alignment of atomic spins without the need for complex interactions.

• The team was able to confirm their finding through computer simulations, mean-field theory, and mathematical proofs. This opens a new avenue in the exploration of quantum active matter and its potential universal properties which will be insightful for quantum technology.

RESEARCH

THE BALANCING ACT: OPTIMIZING QKD NETWORKS FOR BOTH SECURITY AND EFFICIENCY

The Brief Byte: A new study from researchers at the University of Rome and Aveiro University demonstrates how to optimize quantum key distribution networks while balancing security and quantum capacitance to connect users efficiently across variable distances by leveraging insights from classical networks.

Breakdown:

• Quantum key distribution networks are necessary for secure quantum communications. Optimization of these networks is needed in order to maximize efficiency and security, especially over large areas with many users.

quantum key distribution (QKD): a secure communication method that uses the properties of quantum physics to exchange cryptographic keys between shared parties

• The researchers developed a mathematical model to optimize network connections by adjusting a tradeoff parameter between quantum capacitance and security. This model uses an algorithm to find optimal paths that maximize quantum communication efficiency across the network.

• The study provides a framework for designing QKD networks that can efficiently manage both security and communication rates which would allow for expanding quantum communication infrastructure in a scalable manner while remaining secure.

EVENTS

• Monday, April 29 | A Few Options Go a Long Way: List Decoding and Applications lecture from Venkatesan Guruswami with the Simons Institute

• Tuesday, April 30 | Entering the Era of Reliable Quantum Computing by Microsoft Quantum Innovator Series

• 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)

• Monday, May 13 | D-Wave conference call on Q1 2024 financial results and business outlook

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

JOBS POSTED WITHIN LAST 24 HOURS

• None 😥 

UNTIL TOMORROW.

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