dougfinke

Part 3: The primary algorithms VQA, VQE and QAOA QAOA Example Problem. Credit: Google Quantum AI Variational Quantum Algorithms (VQA) In the NISQ era, variational circuits serve as a bridge between the classical and the quantum world. The hybrid quantum-classical algorithms or Variational Quantum Algorithms (VQA) incorporate aspects from both the gate-based (i.e., logic gates) and annealing or adiabatic models (evolving after cooling to its lowest energy configuration).  VQAs variationally update the parameters of a parametrized quantum circuit. VQAs, like adiabatic models, rely on the knowledge that the end state of a quantum computation can be viewed as the ground state [...]

Part 2: Colocation, High Performance Computers, and Co-Design Conceptual Picture of an HPC/Quantum Data Center. Credit: QuEra by Amara Graps The hybrid classical-quantum computing environments present a bewildering variety of functionality. Here, we continue to show where and how you might see this activity. Colocation and High Performance Computers You may hear the term colocation, with Quantum Computing as a Service (QCaaS), as these qubits are joined with High Performance Computers (HPC), i.e., classical systems (bits), to provide an environment well-suited for hybrid classical-quantum computing. The joining of HPCs with quantum computers is a good fit, as seen in these two [...]

Part 1: Basics and Cloud Vendors Hybrid Classical/Quantum Computing Conceptual Diagram. Credit: DARPA by Amara Graps Hybrid Classical-Quantum Computing is one approach to meeting the end of Moore’s Law, the empirical relationship of the number of transistors in an integrated circuit (IC) over time, which reached a plateau after the early-2010s. The hybrid concept, which, today, dominates quantum computing implementations, joins quantum approaches, based on qubits, with classical computers, based on bits, and delegates specific computations to components in the classical-quantum system to which it is best suited. As an upcoming QNALYSIS series will highlight hybrid classical-quantum computing Use Cases, and [...]

One activity that investors, governments, and quantum hardware companies call upon Global Quantum Intelligence (GQI) frequently to do is to perform a due diligence assessment of a quantum processor development roadmap. In order to ensure a complete and consistent approach, GQI has developed a few frameworks that we use on all these projects and we would like to share these frameworks in this article. Our first phase in these analyses is a technical assessment. One of the frameworks we use in the technical assessment is the GQI Hardware Stack which describes all the necessary pieces of technology that will be needed [...]

Diraq has achieved a significant milestone by demonstrating consistent and repeatable operation with above 99% fidelity of two-qubit gates in their SiMOS (silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor) quantum dot platform. This achievement is crucial for the reliability and consistency of multi-qubit systems and represents the first silicon-CMOS based platform to reach this milestone. The breakthrough paves the way for more reliable silicon-based quantum devices and highlights the advantages of solid-state qubits, such as compatibility with mass manufacturing techniques, scalability, and cost-efficiency. The technical breakthrough, detailed in a study published in Nature Physics, involved strategies for improving high-fidelity operations, error correction, and understanding noise sources. [...]

Since it was first released in 2017, IBM has made scores of releases of the Qiskit software with a focus on improving it in three different aspects. These include functionality, in order to make it easier for users to program, better optimization, to compile the program into few qubits, gates, and gate levels to provide improved execution on a quantum processor, and also performance of the SDK itself. Originally, when the size of the quantum computers were gauged in the tens of qubits, the performance of the compiler was probably not a big deal. But now as the quantum computers scale [...]

Oxford Ionics has selected Boulder, Colorado as the location for its new North American hub. Professor David Allcock has been appointed to lead this office as the Director of Science for North America. The new office will allow Oxford Ionics to recruit from the U.S. talent pool in a location where there is already a lot of quantum activity and was recently won a Tech Hub Phase 2 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The location will also make it easier to access the U.S. supply chain for quantum related items and utilize facilities in the region to perform development [...]

NASA's Space Communications and Navigation Program, in association with a team from Quantinuum, has published a new document titled Quantum Communication 101. This 95 page document provides a good introduction to many aspects of quantum communication for people who may have no prior technical knowledge about this technology. It includes sections on Quantum Information, Quantum Light, Components, Quantum Links, Quantum-Enhanced Security, Quantum Metrology, Quantum Networks, and The Quantum Internet. The document provides a good explanations of the basic quantum physics, various quantum components used, how these components fit together, and potential applications of this technology. The full document has been posted [...]

Screenshot of GQI's Quantum Tech Investment Tracker By André König At Global Quantum Intelligence, LLC we have the privilege of working on investor due diligence for many quantum startups small and large; currently we have 13 live deals for a total fundraise of approx. $1.5B.This not only speaks to the expertise and quality of our team but also offers us a unique vantage point into the dynamics of raising capital in quantum tech.My takeaway: The obvious is now essential.1️⃣ We see a dramatic capital flight to quantum computing hardware and later stage rounds. While as recently as 18 months ago we [...]

After eight years of intensive review and analysis, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released the final, approved specifications for the first three Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) algorithms. The effort start in 2016 with 82 algorithms initially submitted with 69 algorithms accepted for further review. And after three rounds of analysis, NIST has selected the first three algorithms for final approval. The three algorithms include the following: Specification NumberNameBased UponUsage TypeFIPS 203, Module-Lattice-Based Key-Encapsulation Mechanism StandardML-KEMCrystals-KyberKey EncapsulationFIPS 204, Module-Lattice-Based Digital Signature StandardML-DSACrystals-DilithiumDigital SignatureFIPS 205, Stateless Hash-Based Digital Signature StandardSLH-DSASPHINCS+Digital Signature For enterprise Chief Information Officers (CIO) and [...]