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Figure. A 2017 ESA prototype atom interferometer chip in a vacuum chamber, harnessing the quantum behavior of atoms to perform ultra-precise measurements of gravity. Source: Phys.Org: Credit: RAL Space/IQO Hannover by Amara Graps Atom Interferometry on the European Continent, in Space ESA was never shy about its interest in Quantum Sensors in Space.  In 2006, with France’s national research institutes, ESA, embraced Quantum Sensors in Space. In 2016, ESA inaugurated its first Quantum Technology - Implementations for Space workshop.  By 2017, ESA was public with its intensions: Quantum physics and space travel are two of the greatest scientific achievements of the [...]

D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) and the pharmaceutical division of Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) have announced a collaboration on a proof-of-concept project aimed at accelerating drug discovery using quantum computing and artificial intelligence. The initiative, called “Quantum AI-driven Drug Discovery,” seeks to enhance the speed and quality of pharmaceutical small molecule development by leveraging D-Wave’s annealing quantum computing technology. In this project, JT’s AI team will utilize D-Wave's quantum computing solutions to improve the efficiency of training AI systems for drug design. The goal is to develop a pioneering approach for discovering 'first-in-class' pharmaceutical compounds, expanding the exploration space in drug [...]

Quantum Computing Inc. (QCi) has announced the extension of its Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), focusing on advancing quantum optimization. This collaboration enhances QCi's Dirac-3, an entropy quantum optimization machine designed to solve complex problems such as quantum simulations, social networks, and telecommunications. The partnership seeks to leverage Dirac-3’s ability to handle high-dimensional discrete variables and multi-body interactions, expanding its potential to solve some of the world’s most challenging optimization tasks. Dirac-3 is specifically designed to go beyond traditional QUBO (Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization) problems by utilizing nonlinear quantum optics, making it a significant [...]

Figure. Schematic of the magneto-optical trap (MOT). The atoms (green spheres) are captured and cooled using three pairs of opposing laser beams (blue arrows) and a magnetic field generated by coils placed above and below the atoms. Source: Niels Bohr Institute. University of Copenhagen. by Amara Graps From Academic work  One of my favorite aspects of the quantum sensors sector is that the measurements provide an immediate relationship to physical constants and fundamentals. Atom interferometry is also multipurpose, as the same fundamental device can be used to perform different sensing functions (time, rotation, magnetic fields, acceleration/gravity) with software directing the laser [...]

Error Correction Circuit Used by AWS using 5 Data Qubits and 4 Ancilla Qubits. Credit: AWS In a quantum computer there are two basic types of errors that can occur, bit-flips and phase-flips. Conventional quantum error codes, like the surface code, need to be designed to correct both types of errors. In a cat qubit based architecture, the bit flips are greatly reduced by the hardware architecture that used so that the error correction codes only need to correct for phase flips. A key advantage of this approach is that it could significantly reduce the number of physical qubits needed to [...]

Figure. Hurricane Helene, as it made landfall 26 September 2024 in Big Bend, Florida. The central portion of the hurricane is about 500 km in diameter. The composite satellite image by Dakota Smith, is overlayed with Saturn's moon Enceladus (also ~500 km in diameter) by Paul Byrne to show the hurricane’s scale. See a different perspective of this massive hurricane from the International Space Station, courtesy of NASA. By Amara Graps The Forecasts Hurricane Helene was forecast to be one of the largest hurricanes in years to hit the region; only three since 1988 were larger. The US Air Force Reserve [...]

QuantWare, a provider of quantum hardware scaling solutions, has launched Crescendo-E, a traveling wave parametric amplifier (TWPA) designed for enterprise customers. The product is aimed at meeting the demands of large-scale quantum systems, focusing on reliability, flexibility, and affordability. Crescendo-E is intended for high-volume orders, providing phased deliveries to align with clients' production schedules. This approach supports the integration of large-scale orders as enterprise quantum systems expand. The product also offers customizable options to meet specific system requirements, including adjustments for frequency bands, packaging needs, and pre-characterization processes. At a starting price of €5,000 ($5,585 USD), Crescendo-E provides competitive pricing and [...]

The 2024 Quantum Open Source Software Survey being conducted by the Unitary Fund is now available and they are seeking your input. It will cover topics including demographics, experience, community, research, and tech stacks. This annual survey is a chance for everyone in quantum computing to add their voice to the development of our field to share feedback, state their needs, and take part in shaping the future of the quantum computing ecosystem. The survey will be taking inputs through the end of October. Later this year, the anonymized results will be shared publicly and provide everyone a better understand of [...]