D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) has demonstrated quantum supremacy on a useful, real-world problem, as detailed in a peer-reviewed paper published in the journal Science. The study, titled “Beyond-Classical Computation in Quantum Simulation,” shows that D-Wave’s Advantage2 annealing quantum computer outperformed the Frontier supercomputer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in simulating quantum dynamics of magnetic materials. The quantum computer solved the problem in minutes, while the supercomputer would require nearly one million years and more than the world’s annual energy consumption to achieve the same result.
The research, conducted by an international collaboration of scientists, focused on simulating programmable spin glasses, a class of magnetic materials with applications in materials discovery, electronics, and medical imaging. D-Wave’s quantum computer accurately modeled the behavior of these materials, demonstrating its ability to tackle problems beyond the reach of classical systems. This marks the first instance of quantum supremacy on a problem with practical relevance, distinguishing it from previous claims based on random number generation or abstract tasks.
The Advantage2 prototype, used in the study, features fast anneal capabilities and improved qubit coherence, connectivity, and energy scale, enabling high-quality solutions to complex problems. D-Wave has since developed a larger version of the Advantage2 processor, scaling simulations from hundreds to thousands of qubits. The company’s Leap™ quantum cloud service makes this technology accessible to customers today, offering potential applications in optimization, artificial intelligence, and scientific research.
For more details, visit D-Wave’s announcement here.
March 13, 2025
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