News Brief

Signing Ceremony of the MOU Between IonQ abnd Seoul National University IonQ has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Seoul National University’s Center for Quantum Information Science Education (CQISE). The agreement aims to promote workforce development in quantum information and communication science and technology. This partnership will establish educational and joint research programs, enabling academia and industry professionals to respond to the evolving demands of industry sectors. The agreement includes mutual personnel exchange, joint research, and internship development for quantum-related activities. This collaboration is expected to open new horizons in quantum computing research and education at Seoul National University and [...]

SemiQon, a Finnish company, and Canada’s CMC Microsystems have announced a collaboration to advance silicon-based quantum processor technology. SemiQon will supply CMC with prototypes of its semiconductor-based quantum processor chips for research. The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of processors for more powerful quantum computers, targeting the million-qubit era. SemiQon’s technology addresses three major challenges in quantum computing: scalability, price, and sustainability. CMC, with 40 years of experience in semiconductor technology, offers quantum services to provide access to state-of-the-art quantum hardware and software technologies to organizations in the Canadian quantum ecosystem. Both companies commit to publicly disseminate the results obtained [...]

The European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) intends to install a photonic quantum computer at the TGCC (Très Grand Centre de calcul du CEA (Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives)) in Bruyères Le Châtel, France. The specifications calls for a machine with at least 10 qubits, average two-qubit gate fidelity of 99%, average readout fidelity of 95%, and an installation date no later than 18 months after signature of the contract. It will be connected to the Joliot-Curie classical supercomputer at that site and be made available to a wide range of European end-users, including the scientific community, industry, [...]

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is collaborating with planqc and d-fine to develop compilers and a remote access platform for DLR’s quantum computers. The goal is to manage quantum algorithms and their execution efficiently. The platform will also enable access to DLR’s quantum computers for other institutes and partners. The project, known as ALQU, emphasizes the importance of co-designing hardware and software in quantum computing, incorporating hardware metrics and error models into the algorithms, and ensuring efficient execution of these algorithms. A press release with additional information about this collaboration has been posted on the planqc website here. February 3, 2024

Nu Quantum, in collaboration with Cisco, has secured a significant contract from the UK government to develop a pioneering quantum networking project named LYRA. Funded by the UK Government's SBRI initiative, LYRA aims to create a deployable prototype of a modular, rack-mount, and scalable quantum data center unit. This project introduces discrete 19-inch rack-mount modules for control-plane and optical interfacing, facilitating in-field upgrades to support different quantum computer modalities and alternative wavelengths. The collaboration with Cisco, a leading networking infrastructure supplier, will contribute to defining key system requirements and evaluating final deliverables. With a gross value of £2.3 million ($2.9M USD), [...]

IBM Quantum System Two. Credit: IBM Korean Quantum Computing (KQC) has served as an IBM Quantum Innovation Center since 2022 and provides access to IBM's fleet of quantum computers over the cloud to Korean customers. IBM has now announced with KQC that they will install an IBM Quantum Systems Two processor on-site at KQC's facility in Busan, Korea by 2028. In that time frame, we would expect the processor to be part of the IBM Flamingo family which has 156 qubits per processor module with support for up to 7 modules. As part of KQC's engagement with IBM, they will also [...]

Ontario Minister of Economic Development Fedeli tours Quantum Valley's chamber with engineer Nickerson. Ontario's Minister of Economic Development, Vic Fedeli, announced up to $14.9 million in funding for Quantum Valley Ideas Lab in Waterloo, Canada. This investment aims to propel advancements in quantum technology, particularly optimizing antennas in smartphones, vehicles, drones, and more. The funding, drawn from the Critical Technology Initiative Fund, underscores Ontario's commitment to real-world challenges and commercialization in key tech sectors. Quantum Valley Ideas Lab, backed by Mike Lazaridis' Quantum Valley Investments, serves as a crucial incubator for quantum startups. The lab's efforts include developing a commercial-ready prototype [...]

Qrypt has been awarded an STTR Phase 1 contract by AFWERX and the Department of Air Force (DAF), aimed at enhancing national defense against quantum threats. Teaming up with the University of Texas at San Antonio, Qrypt will focus on bolstering cybersecurity with its quantum-secure encryption solution. The collaboration aims to address vulnerabilities in traditional encryption methods and combat emerging threats like "harvest now, decrypt later" attacks through Quantum Key Generation (QKG), which enables the independent generation of encryption keys without transmission. Qrypt's Chief Technology Officer, Denis Mandich, emphasizes the importance of advancing quantum-secure encryption to protect critical communications and sectors. [...]

Fujitsu and Delft University of Technology have launched the Fujitsu Advanced Computing Lab Delft to spearhead quantum computing advancements. Positioned within QuTech, the lab will focus on diamond-spin quantum computing, aiming to develop scalable quantum computing solutions. Additionally, it will explore quantum applications in computational fluid dynamics. Vivek Mahajan, Fujitsu's SEVP, CTO, and CPO, highlights the potential for breakthroughs in quantum hardware and talent development. Prof. Tim van der Hagen of Delft University of Technology applauds the collaboration's alignment with societal challenges. Dr. Shintaro Sato from Fujitsu Research expresses confidence in the lab's outcomes, while Kees Eijkel from QuTech emphasizes shared [...]

The University of New Mexico (UNM) is collaborating with Sandia National Laboratories to establish the Quantum New Mexico Institute (QNM-I), aiming to position New Mexico as a national quantum hub. UNM, having produced over 40 QIS leaders, envisions the QNM-I fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across departments such as Chemistry, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics. Aligned with the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) Act of 2018, the QNM-I aims to expand quantum education, promote multidisciplinary research opportunities, address knowledge gaps, and enhance facilities for quantum research. The Center for Quantum Information and Control (CQuIC), integrated into the QNM-I, participates in NQI Centers [...]