April 4, 2023 NVIDIA recently announcedits new system for taking classical computing to the next level utilizing quantum computing. This month, NVIDIA debuted DGX Quantum, the first system to couple GPUs and quantum computing. NVIDIAs new Grace Hopper system has proven to have 10x better performance for applications running terabytes of data. Speed increases like that are extremely valuable to researchers with immense data sets and simulations.

Imagine if a year-long project could be finished in just over a month. Thats the type of increase quantum computing can bring to the table today. As advances in quantum computing continue, and as more supercomputing centers embrace the technology, these times will only get better.

NCSAis one of the supercomputing centers partnering with NVIDIA to utilize these supercharged quantum processing units (QPU). A new special GPU resource will be installed in the National Petascale Computing Facility at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. This new resource will be connected to QPU which theIllinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center(IQUIST) will house in their lab in the Engineering Sciences Building on campus.

Santiago Nuez-Corrales, NCSA research scientist, will be leading NCSAs quantum computing efforts. NCSA has taken its first strides toward a long-term quantum computing strategy, designed to complement ongoing efforts at IQUIST, Nuez-Corrales said when speaking about NVIDIAs announcement. Our target comprises three core activities: understanding and harnessing the potential of existing real and simulated quantum devices as a new form of advanced computing, making quantum technologies accessible to a wide spectrum of users, and identifying application areas where quantum may become a game changer. All three of them draw upon our robust history and expertise with new cyberinfrastructure development, accelerating science-making and meeting the needs of future users. The recent announcement by NVIDIA, hence, arrives serendipitously.

To many unfamiliar with the technology, quantum computing is a tricky topic to define. Contrary to classical computers, you cant even use traditional physics to explain how it works. A quantum computer is a device that harnesses aspects of quantum mechanics, the laws that govern phenomena at the scale of atoms. To put that very simply, what scientists and engineers are attempting to crack is the ability to solve hard problems much faster using quantum mechanics.

Classical computers, the computers most people use every day, represent information by encoding it as 1s and 0s. The collection of all 1s and 0s in memory at any given time corresponds to the state of the computer, which can be changed by programs operating on it. Think of it as a large sequence of on and off switches; despite the sophistication of contemporary microprocessors, classical computers have operated using similar mathematical rules since their inception.

Quantum mechanics turns this on its head by expanding our vocabulary of what the state of a computer and a program can be. Instead of a bit being on or off such as in a classical computer, a qubit, quantum computings version of a bit, can be in both states simultaneously, asuperpositionof these states. Much likeShrdingers cat, the bits are theoretically always an uncertain combination of a 1 and a 0. While creating a fault-tolerant quantum machine is still a ways off, scientists and engineers have devised algorithms that benefit from quantum computing architectures to potentially speed up the solution of problems that are hard to solve with classical ones. With these new quantum resources, certain classes of calculations may happen much faster thanks to a broader palette of operations.

In regards to NVIDIAs recent announcement, Nuez-Corrales explains, DGX Quantum has the potential to decrease the complexity of HPC-QPU integration projects at the hardware level thus lowering the risk of implementation of quantum-classical hybrid cyberinfrastructure. CUDA Quantum extends a mature programming model for GPUs into the QPU world, which will facilitate developing and integrating new quantum kernels across scientific applications. Finally, the ability to access GPU-powered simulators such as those in cuQuantum will help identify new software and scientific pipeline development practices for users to transition from classical to quantum problem-solving.

Greg Bauer, senior technical program manager at NCSA, commented: NCSA is preparing itself to support the adoption of QPUs by research computing projects similar to how NCSA led, in part, the transition to GPUs for research computing with the early evaluation of a PlayStation cluster and deployment of GPU-centric HPC resources.

Increasing adoption of a wide variety of quantum computing technologies at NCSA will have direct benefits to researchers utilizing our resources. At NCSA, Nuez-Corrales says we have identified an initial set of users that may benefit from this collaboration with NVIDIA in terms of access to simulated QPUs and programming models, and later real QPUs. Nuez-Corrales team will use what they learn from this initial project to refine future applications of quantum computing. From this experience, Nuez-Corrales continues, we will gradually become proficient at establishing user support models and resources on campus that remain accessible to our academic community and business partners. More immediately, we are working to integrate these tools into existing GPU-intensive resources such as Delta and provide early access to resources and training for the UIUC research community.

NCSAs Santiago Nuez-Corrales, research scientist, contributed to this story.

Source: Megan Meave Johnson, NCSA

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NCSA Partners with NVIDIA on New Hybrid Quantum Computing ... - HPCwire

Quantum Computing Concept Image.

Quantum machine learning models can achieve quantum advantage by solving a complex class of mathematical problems impossible to crack with a classical computer, according to new research by UBC material scientists.

UBC Blusson Quantum Mater Institute (Blusson QMI) investigator Professor Roman Krems said the results rigorously prove that quantum machine learning does indeed offer the quantum advantage.

The key goal now is to find a real-world machine learning application thatwould benefit from this quantum advantage in practice, said Professor Krems, senior author on the Nature Communications study.

Quantum advantage refers to the instances where quantum computers outperform their classical counterparts when scaling to enormous datasets containing countless variables.

Blusson QMI PhD student and first author of the paper Jonas Jger said the models have universal expressiveness in that they solve not just one problem, but capture the complexity of an entire class of problems that are too complicated to solve with classical machine learning.

While quantum machine learning is often considered to be one of the most promising use cases of quantum computing, there are only a few rigorous results about its real computational advantages, Jger said. Our results offer theoretical guarantees that such advantages indeed exist.

The study proves a quantum advantage exists for two of the most popular quantum machine learning classification models: Variational Quantum Classifiers (also known as quantum neural networks) and Quantum Kernel Support Vector Machines.

We can now confidently explore important real-world applications and develop effective approaches for building informative data encoding quantum circuits that could unlock the full potential of quantum machine learning, said Jger.

The advantages reported in the study are somewhat subject to the quality of the datasets presented to the system. As quantum computing is still in the experimental stage, a challenge faced by researchers is encoding the classical data for processing by a quantum device.

The mathematical problem that weve solved using these models is quite abstract and doesnt have many practical applications. But, because it presents such special properties under the complexity theory, it can be used by others as a benchmark to test how different quantum machine learning models perform, Jger said.

Jger joined UBC in Sept 2022 to commence his PhD studies under the supervision of Professor Roman Krems from UBCs Department of Chemistry and Professor Michael Friedlander from UBCs Computer Science Department.

Professor Krems and his team work at the intersection of quantum physics, machine learning and chemistry on problems of relevance to quantum materials and quantum technologies, including quantum computing, quantum sensing and quantum algorithms.Meanwhile, Professor Friedlander and his research group develop theories and algorithms for mathematical optimization and its applications in machine learning, signal processing and operations research.

Jger hopes to take advantage of their combined expertise to push the limits of quantum computing and develop algorithms that can harness its power for practical applications.

We can now confidently explore important real-world applications and develop effective approaches for building informative data encoding quantum circuits that could unlock the full potential of quantum machine learning.

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New evidence that quantum machine learning outperforms classical ... - UBC Faculty of Science

Quantum Computing Inc. (QCI) reported 2022 total revenue at $135,648 versus no revenue in 2021. Operating expenses were $36.5 million versus $17.1 million in the prior year due to impact of its merger with QPhoton, increase in engineering personnel, non-stock based compensation, and other factors. The net loss was $38.5 million versus $10.7 million in the prior year. The company ended the year with Cash and Cash Equivalents of $5.3 million versus $16.7 million at the end of 2021. After the end of the year, the company has received $6.4 million from sales of $3 million of their shares via an at-the-market facility managed by Ascendiant Capital.

2022 was a pivotal year for the company due to their acquisition of QPhoton which allowed them to offer Quantum Computing as a Service (QCaaS) with a full-stack quantum computing capability. The company has been working on several proof-of-concept projects including projects to optimize sensor placement on a BMW automobile, optimize flight trajectories with VIPC, detect fraudulent banking transactions with Rabobank, optimize windmill placement, optimize nuclear fuel rod replacements, and predict stock performance. They also created a new subsidiary QI Solutions, Inc. to pursue government business.

The company also indicated their roadmap for product development including a Dirac-2 follow-on to the existing Dirac-1 that supports calculations based upon Qudits (0-53 variables) instead of Qubits, a Reservoir Quantum Computer, a Quantum Random Number generator, and other products based upon quantum photonics. The companys goal is to hit EBITDA and cashflow breakeven within 2 years at a revenue level of about $30 million.

For more information about QCIs financial report, you can view their press release posted on their website here.

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Quantum Computing Inc. Announces 2022 Financial Results and Starts Transition to Commercialization - Quantum Computing Report

Lewis Shepherd, senior director of research and emerging technologies strategy at VMware, was added to the technical advisory board of Quantum Computing Inc.

The executive will draw from his more than three decades of government and industry experience in research and development innovation to provide QCI with product visibility, market intelligence and insight, the quantum computing company said Tuesday.

Aside from his responsibilities at VMware, Shepherds career includes time serving at the Defense Intelligence Agency as a senior executive, the Department of Defense as a special government employee and senior adviser, the Federal Communications Commission as a member of its Technological Advisory Council and at Microsoft as general manager and director.

My plan is to add another four to five professionals to the Board whose expertise span a variety of different touch points to quantum, but with the same passion and tireless work-ethic of Lewis, commented Jim Simon, Jr., chair of the technical advisory board at QCI.

Shepards appointment is the third for the QCI board.

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VMware's Lewis Shepherd Joins Technical Advisory Board of ... - ExecutiveBiz

As funding pours into quantum computing, investors are focused on the potential for this technology to address scientific, business and security problems beyond the reach of todays conventional computers. There are signs that dramatic impacts could come in the not-too-distant future, according to industry executives who spoke at the Goldman Sachs 2023 Disruptive Technology Symposium.

A key question during the event was whether the development of quantum computing will follow a path of globalization or fragment into a regional approach. This is particularly relevant at a time when supply chains are on the minds of policy makers and business leaders, having become a source of geopolitical tension and showing indications of fragility during the pandemic.

Ilyas Khan, vice chairman and founder of Quantinuum, said during a panel on quantum computing that he sees the impulse for national control over the development of quantum computing technology. Work his company is doing in the U.S. is subject to a National Security Agreement that is governed by various federal agencies. In many countries, development of quantum computing technology is governed by national organizations, and the intensity of their attention and investment is a historic development, he said.

Im not aware of anything since the Industrial Revolution that even comes close to resembling the resources that are being managed at a national level in order to gain competitive advantage for individual countries, Khan said. When that happens, you get overlap, you get competition, you get suspicion, and in the early days you possibly get fences and borders and walls. And that is what is happening in quantum at the moment. Among many things that may eventually counter these trends and favor globalization, Khan said, will be the willingness of investors and corporate clients to look worldwide for the best ideas in quantum computing.

At the same time, there are significant military and cyber security concerns, as quantum computing is potentially powerful enough to overwhelm existing encryption protocols. The disruption that quantum computing promises wont just be in the business sphere but also in the national security arena, Stephen Nundy, chief technology officer for Lakestar, a European venture capital fund, told the symposium.

Nundy suggested this lends added urgency to questions about who will lead in developing this new technology. Europeans mostly watched from the sidelines as U.S. companies scaled up cloud computing businesses that are now dominant, he said, and they should be wary of doing the same in quantum computing. Europe would be making a poor choice to simply wait for a copy of the blueprint of quantum technology from the U.S. or Asia, rather than developing its domestic industry and expertise, he said.

Interdependence is another theme that is emerging as the quantum computing technology ecosystem develops. Pia Lemmetty, head of finance for IQM Quantum Computers in Finland, described her companys decision to build a pilot foundry for quantum processors. The initial aim was to be able to design chips and manufacture them in-house, but other startups that dont have foundry capability have started reaching out, she said. It will be very important to think about the European angle and ensure that we have capabilities in Europe to be self reliant on the hardware development side, Lemmetty said.

Lemmetty said her company is already beginning to work with corporate clients to design adaptations of quantum computing algorithms and solutions and then to develop hardware specifications to address industry-relevant problems. This will help ensure that businesses are building expertise and are enabled when a quantum advantage emerges, she said. The time is very much now to start doing that.

Markus Pflitsch, founder and CEO of Terra Quantum, agreed that corporate clients should start building relationships and expertise now. His Switzerland-based company is developing quantum algorithms, software that can run today on classical computers, while the development of quantum hardware proceeds. This hybrid approach, using simulated qubits, is already demonstrating some of what may be possible collective portfolio modeling for the investment industry, for example, or optimized satellite mission planning.

These algorithms may begin to reach their full potential when the hardware advances. But Pflitsch said companies should recognize the coming disruption and begin to work with quantum computing technology as soon as possible. We have a growing number of clients, Pflitsch said. We can deliver business value today.

This article is being provided for educational purposes only. The information contained in this article does not constitute a recommendation from any Goldman Sachs entity to the recipient, and Goldman Sachs is not providing any financial, economic, legal, investment, accounting, or tax advice through this article or to its recipient. Neither Goldman Sachs nor any of its affiliates makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in this article and any liability therefore (including in respect of direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage) is expressly disclaimed.

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Can Europe Beat China and the US in Quantum Computing? - Goldman Sachs

After some of the basics of quantum computing are explored in the introductory episode of the Entrust Engage podcast, episode two takes listeners deeper into the science behind this topic with an interview featuring Dr. Carmen Palacios-Berraquero, award-winning quantum physicist and CEO of Nu Quantum. Many interesting areas were covered from a brief history of quantum computing to what the future benefits of this field might be. Here are the 6 key takeaways from this episode:

#1: The episode kicked off with a concise history of quantum computing, which goes back to the 80s when people first began to look at how to apply quantum theory to computing. Then in the 90s, Shors algorithm was developed, which significantly sped up the calculation of factorization problems and was the first step in potentially breaking RSA encryption. Experimental physicists also found new hardware in which you could encode quantum information. Progress in quantum computing continued to exponentially accelerate in the 2000s and 2010s and led to a kind of modern-day space race of different hardware approaches. In these earlier years the field was still largely an academic endeavor, whereas in the past seven years the academic pioneers of this race moved into the industry to set up startups. In 2019, Google declared quantum supremacy. And in 2021, more than $3 billion was invested into quantum computing, further cementing its importance to the future of technology.

#2: So, what exactly is quantum supremacy? For starters, Dr. Palacios-Berraquero prefers the term quantum advantage. When Google announced that it had achieved this, what did that really mean? How significant was this?

Well, Google was essentially successful in using quantum computing to solve a problem that would have been infeasible for a classical computer. However, the problem it solved had no application in the real world. While the industry is moving toward solving commercially useful problems, there is still progress to be made before any organization can consider itself to have a true quantum advantage.

#3: There is consensus that the quantum computing threat to traditional public key algorithms will be a reality within the decade. However, taking Googles 2019 claim of quantum supremacy into consideration, the question arises: Has this timeline been accelerated?

The answer: not necessarily. There are two main factors to consider here. The first is that it is very hard to scale these machines. The second is that there are lots of errors in quantum computers processors. Error correction schemes are very complex and take up quite a few logical qubits in quantum computers, leaving fewer qubits to perform logical computations. So, even with the progress made at present, the threat timeline of quantum computers has not accelerated.

#4: Is the news about quantum computing all about its threats and challenges? Echoing what we learned from episode one, absolutely not! There are major benefits that quantum computing can unlock in the future. For starters, quantum computing can crack those intractable problems we cant currently solve today. This opens entirely new applications, markets, and industries. Some examples include both material and drug design, paving the way for innovations in healthcare and the battle against climate change. In the near term, quantum computing promises benefits like financial portfolio optimization, improvements in machine learning algorithms, and the simulation of quantum and physical systems.

#5: What is a quantum random number generator and how different is it from what we know of entropy in cryptography today? The quantum random number generator is based on the main proposition of quantum theory that the outcome of a measurement is completely unpredictable. It uses this principle to generate entropy/random numbers. Over the past decade, it has been proposed to use these generators as a source for cryptography.

The main difference is that entropy used in cryptography currently is based on classical mechanics, where theoretically everything is predictable. In theory, by knowing the exact functioning of a system and combining it with a lot of computing power, you could predict the outcome of a classical random number generator.

The reality is quite different, though. Current cryptography uses mathematical tools in addition to a random number generator, making it quite impossible to crack. While the industry is debating the use and applications of a quantum random number generator, its still a long way from adopting it in cryptography.

#6: Additional benefits in development include quantum computing as a service (QCaas) and quantum internet. These are two very different things. QCaaS is a means by which users can access quantum computers via the cloud. For example, AWS hosts around five quantum computers, and a user can buy time on them through the cloud and run various algorithms. And theres a long line of users queued up to use these computers. Who are these users? A mix of academics and researchers as well as R&D departments in industry. However, these machines are still in the labs of companies, and it will be a while before they can function independently in a data center.

Now lets unravel the service known as quantum internet. Picture a computer network that can send quantum information between distant computers, and there you have it in a nutshell. This technology is still largely contained to the realm of academia, and its still unknown what the exact commercial application will be. What we do know is that its still some years away.

The science behind quantum computers is pretty fascinating, and if youre looking to learn more, I recommend listening to the second episode of Entrust Engage. For more information and resources on post-quantum and how to prepare, visit our webpage.

The post 6 Things I Learned About the Science of Quantum Computing from Entrust Engage appeared first on Entrust Blog.

*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from Entrust Blog authored by Lavanya Suvarna. Read the original post at: https://www.entrust.com/blog/2023/04/6-things-i-learned-about-the-science-of-quantum-computing-from-entrust-engage/

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6 Things I Learned About the Science of Quantum Computing from Entrust Engage - Security Boulevard

LILLE, France, April 5, 2023 Eviden, the Atos business focused on digital, cloud, big data and security, today announced that its Trustway Proteccio Hardware Security Module (HSM) will soon support post-quantum algorithms, in collaboration with the startup CryptoNext Security, a leader and pioneer in next-generation post-quantum cryptography.

Faced with the possible emergence of a quantum computer, which would imply a collapse in todays cryptographic protection mechanisms, Eviden allows its entire ecosystem of customers to prepare for a migration towards hybrid encryption solutions. This major development in the Trustway Proteccio HSM enables the integration of algorithms from CryptoNext Security.

The Trustway Proteccio HSM, the only HSM to have received ANSSIs Reinforced Qualification (ANSSI QR), constitutes a benchmark security solution both in France and internationally. It offers a very high level of technological protection for managing keys and cryptographic operations to the benefit of critical applications in companies, government administrations, and financial service operators.

With the latest upgrade of its Trustway Proteccio HSM, Eviden has effectively implemented the ANSSI recommendations that push for a gradual, phased transition to post-quantum. The underlying goal is to progressively increase confidence in post-quantum algorithms and their uses, while ensuring that there is no regression concerning traditional (i.e. pre-quantum) security.

The collaboration of Eviden and CryptoNext will speed up the availability of post-quantum algorithms, and enable us to support our partners and customers with this major development in the world of cryptography. This work is part of our ongoing quest for innovation and the development of high-security systems, said Ren Martin, Director of the Trustway Business Unit at Eviden, Atos Group.

Jean-Charles Faugre, founder and CTO of CryptoNext Security added: This partnership with Atos, one of the world leaders in cybersecurity, removes a major barrier to the migration of infrastructures and applications to quantum-resistant cybersecurity in production. The choice made by Atos illustrates its recognition of CryptoNext Securitys expertise and technologies, of which we are proud.

We are fully committed to working alongside Atos in this long-term partnership of technological excellence, to offer our customers sovereign, concrete and operational solutions to the challenges of the post-quantum era, said Florent Grosmaitre, president of CryptoNext Security.

The upgrade of Trustway Proteccio in partnership with CryptoNext Security will be available in Q4, 2023.

Post-quantum cryptography is at the core of Evidens work, which is also launching the first post-quantum ready digital identity solutions. In addition, the Atos Group, through its Eviden business line, is a pioneer in quantum computing. The Group launched the first quantum emulator on the market in 2016 and now offers the most powerful quantum computing application development platform, coupled with a consultancy offering that accelerates real quantum applications through all-in-one capabilities and a best-in-class development environment.

About Eviden

Eviden designs the scope composed of Atos digital, cloud, big data and security business lines. It will be a global leader in data-driven, trusted and sustainable digital transformation. As a next generation digital business with worldwide leading positions in digital, cloud, data, advanced computing and security, it brings deep expertise for all industries in more than 53 countries. By uniting unique high-end technologies across the full digital continuum with 57,000 world-class talents, Eviden expands the possibilities of technologies for enterprises and public authorities, helping them to build their digital future. Eviden is an Atos Group business with an annual revenue of c. 5 billion.

About Atos

Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with 111,000 employees and annual revenue of c. 11 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 69 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea), and listed on Euronext Paris.

Source: Atos

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Eviden Supports Post-Quantum Algorithms with Its Trustway ... - HPCwire

Researchers at Yale have extended the lifetime of a qubit by 2.3 times, a major step in improving and proving the viability of quantum computers.

Sammi Kwon 12:43 am, Mar 31, 2023

Contributing Reporter

Vera Villanueva

Yale Daily News

Since the beginning of the quantum revolution in the early 20th century, scientists have been working to prove the functionality of quantum computing.

While in theory the quantum computer is a powerful tool with the ability to encode calculations at speeds faster than those of a classical computer, the physical proof of principle has yet to be demonstrated. However, recent developments by Yale researchers in quantum error correction could represent a major step in proving the feasibility and potential of quantum computers.

A qubit, or quantum bit, is a unit of quantum information that is physically constructed of circuits made of superconductors and cooled to very low temperatures to optimize the circuits efficiency. Yale researchers in the Devoret research group have successfully extended the lifetime of a qubit beyond the break-even point, seeing a gain in the preservation of information and the amount of operations that can be performed on a qubit in one lifetime.

We increased the lifetime by a factor of 2.3, so we more than doubled the number of operations that we can perform before the qubit begins to fail, said Luigi Frunzio, a senior research scientist in applied physics.

With the help of machine learning to optimize calibration and precision, the researchers used quantum error correction a process used to protect information encoded in qubits from errors due to quantum noise to achieve this breakthrough.

According to Frunzio, using the Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill quantum error correction code, the research group was the first to see more errors corrected than errors produced in quantum information. Before this breakthrough, he said, there were more errors than corrections from quantum error correction codes.

Steve Girvin, Yales Eugene Higgins professor of physics, noted that prior to this study, many research groups across the world had gotten close to the break-even point. According to Girvin, by incorporating the efforts of interdisciplinary research and an accumulation of progress from over the years, this breakthrough was finally the first to extend the qubits lifetime above the break-even point to see a gain greater than one.

Having a stable qubit above the break-even point shows that the theories behind quantum computing are plausible, according to Baptiste Royer, former postdoctoral student in the Devoret research group.

One of the main claims is to show that it is possible to have a stable qubit above break-even at the heart of quantum error correction, Royer said.

All sources the News spoke to noted that in addition to being a step towards building more functional quantum computers, the breakthrough is also a proof-of-principle demonstration that shows that researchers may eventually be able to build a quantum computer that provides an advantage beyond any modern supercomputer.

While there is still a long way to go before quantum computers can be as effective as classical computers in terms of functionality, according to Girvin, this breakthrough is an important first step to improving the practicality of quantum computers.

This is a big step forward, though, there is still a huge distance to go to get a gain of millions or billions, Girvin said. But the journey to a billion begins with being above one. The grand challenge to solve is if quantum computers are going to be practical.

With this goal in mind, all three researchers mentioned that the next advancement needed to further validate quantum error correction and the practicality of quantum computing is extending the lifetime of qubits to the scale of billions. Royer added that they are also working on extending this breakthrough to more than one qubit such that complex algorithms can be implemented in the quantum computers.

With the feasibility of quantum error correction, better qubits and better machines altogether, quantum computation will not only be possible but also more concretely useful for disciplines beyond science and math, Frunzio said.

The first quantum computer, a two-qubit with the ability to load and output data, was built in 1989.

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Yale researchers achieve breakthrough in extending qubits lifetime ... - Yale Daily News

We make sense of the first three through programming rules and various fields of classical mechanics; the fourth is something else entirely.

For one, classical physics can predict, with simple mathematics, how an object will move and where it will be at any given point in time and space. How objects interact with each other and their environments follow laws we first encounter in high school science textbooks.

What happens in minuscule realms isnt so easily explained. At the level of atoms and their parts, measuring position and momentum simultaneously yields only probability. Knowing a particles exact state is a zero-sum game in which classical notions of determinism dont apply: the more certain we are about its momentum, the less certain we are about where it will be.

Were not exactly sure what it will be, either. That particle could be both an electron and a wave of energy, existing in multiple states at once. When we observe it, we force a quantum choice, and the particle collapses from its state of superposition into one of its possible forms.

Just as subatomic matter can exist two ways at once, it marks a strange intersection of order and disorder. While its hard to hammer down exactly what or where a particle will be, energy at the subatomic level moves only in discrete, concerted packets, or quanta, defying classical notions about continuous transfer of energy.

Then theres quantum entanglement, what Albert Einstein called spooky action at a distance. Its often described as two dice that always show the same number when rolled, together or even miles apart. When an entangled particle is measured, its partner instantaneously matches the measured particles state.

For Joanna Ptasinski, head of NIWC Pacifics Cryogenic Electronics and Quantum Research branch, this strangeness is what defines quantum: its a complex system of matter or information where these phenomena which cant be explained by classical notions of how the world works are possible.

Quantum is quirky, said Ptasinski, who holds a doctorate in electrical engineering. Its essence is superposition and entanglement. Were researching the power the naval applications lurking behind this weirdness.

Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle, superposition, and entanglement are all part of a growing mathematical framework for subatomic phenomena called quantum mechanics, and it raises questions about the nature of reality as we know it. What can we learn from entangled particles for which space even vast expanses of it is no obstacle? If matter exists in many forms at once until we observe it, what role does observation play in building the world around us? And how do we harness a domain defined by potentiality?

This is what NIWC Pacific scientists explore in its labs, with its partners, and on the National Science & Technology Councils Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science. With quantum experts from across the nation, they ask: What will harnessing quantum phenomena mean for the Navy and the warfighter?

Answers fall in a few categories: sensing, computing, communications, and materials, and the Center has projects to show for each. Answers outside of practical applications have to do with building a quantum Navy: attracting dedicated talent, giving and receiving training, and contributing to national discussions about the future of quantum technology.

All answers point to a vision of a Navy equipped with even more secure communications networks, more advanced sensors, and the faster threat detection and response that comes with them. Its a vision of improved navigation, smarter autonomous systems, and more accurate modeling and simulation. Its unprecedented decision advantage at quantum speed in an increasingly uncertain world.

To Ptasinski, its more advanced supporting technologies. Thats what is needed in order for the field to mature, she said. How about a dilution fridge that isn't half the size of this office? Why not a small dilution fridge? And is that even possible?

The dilution fridge provides the low temperatures needed to measure quantum systems with accuracy. NIWC Pacifics dilution fridge functions in the tens of millikelvin colder than outer space and is one of only two across all warfare centers and the Naval Research Laboratory.

With a dilution fridge, researchers can measure and manipulate qubits, or bits of quantum information. Unlike classical bits, qubits can be in superposition of both binary values 0 and 1 at the same time. That superposition is the key to quantum computings exponential power.

Measuring the path of a qubit through steps in a quantum system is fundamental for quantum research; it teaches us how quantum systems work. And the more we know about how they work, the more we can use them to perform powerful computations.

Ptasinski explains this quantum walk by drawing what looks like a Pachinko machine on the back of this story draft. Drop a particle in at the top and use a traditional computer to figure out in which slot it will end up at the bottom, and youre looking at a major computational task. With just 10 entangled photons and eight layers of potential paths, knowing the probability distributions of where each particle will end up would require more circuits than there are stars in the universe.

Enter quantum. Run the same task on a quantum computer, and a qubits 0-and-1 superposition means more paths can be explored simultaneously. A classical computer would have to calculate the path of a bit expressing 0 separately from the path of a bit expressing 1; a quantum computer can explore both at once, allowing for faster, more intensive calculations. Its like doing linear algebra with complex numbers, Ptasinski said. And wouldnt it be fun to be able to do it with smaller, more powerful equipment?

To Ptasinski, fun would be the ability to build and entangle superconducting qubits, fit many qubits on a single microchip, and discover algorithms that would mitigate errors caused by environmental interferences. It's a very exciting field because we have a lot of puzzles that still need to be solved, she said. Our researchers dont want to work on something thats been done before. Were looking ahead at how quantum computing can solve real-life problems for the Navy.

Exploration of the new frontier wont decelerate anytime soon. Co-leads Naval Research Laboratory and NIWC Pacific established the Naval Quantum Computing Program Office Dec. 2 where quantum subject matter experts across all 14 naval warfare centers will collaborate on quantum applications for the Department of Defense.

The program office will manage access to the Air Force Research Laboratorys hub and its advanced quantum computing power on the IBM Quantum Network. First up for time in the hub is a project from NIWC Pacific.

Back in the Center's own labs, scientists and engineers are making arrangements for a new government-owned facility dedicated to quantum research. Theyll make and test their own prototypes in a lab designed to perform powerful, ultra-precise quantum experimentation.

Ptasinski continues to organize training opportunities for scientists at the Center and across the country. Soon NIWC Pacific will host a professor from the Naval Postgraduate School to teach a course on the fundamentals of quantum mechanics, which will also be open to the Defense Intelligence Agency.

High performers will get a shot at a seat in IBMs Quantum Summer School, where distinguished quantum experts teach a small group of students from across the globe. Then NIWC Pacific students will make their way back to its quantum optics laboratory for hands-on experiments led by Ptasinski and her colleagues.

We have many dedicated and motivated scientists and engineers expanding our quantum portfolio, Ptasinski said when asked why NIWC Pacific is the right team for the job. Our researchers have connections to not only industry and other government labs, but also with researchers across the world. Were the U.S. experts in high-temperature superconductor sensors. Among the warfare centers, were leading quantum information science and technology.

Theres more to learn about quantum, the puzzle with no visible pieces. Zoom in and youll find shapeshifting pieces which match each other even miles apart, and a precarious system that falls out of its quantum state and into a classical one at the wrong temperature. But despite all its precarity and complexity, over hours of conversations about building a quantum Navy, Ptasinski expressed no doubts about the Centers ability to solve it.

If we are experiments away from making sense of the quantum world quanta of training, partnerships, and groundbreaking moments away then scientists at NIWC Pacific are making strides toward the answers.

NIWC Pacifics mission is to conduct research, development, engineering, and support of integrated command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, cyber, and space systems across all warfighting domains, and to rapidly prototype, conduct test and evaluation, and provide acquisition, installation, and in-service engineering support.

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NIWC Pacific and its Partners are Building a Quantum Navy - navy.mil

April 3, 2023 Ezunial Eze Burts III has been named the new director of Duality, a quantum startup accelerator operated by the University of Chicagos Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovationin partnership with theChicago Quantum Exchange(CQE), along with founding partners theUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign,Argonne National Laboratory, andP33.

Since its launch in 2021, Duality has supported 11 startups from across the globe that are developing software and hardware technologies for quantum computing, communications and sensing. Duality is now accepting applicationsfor its third cohort.The deadline to apply is April 7.

Burts joins Duality after a 20-year career with Boeing. Most recently he served as senior manager of future production systems and technology within the airplane manufacturers environmental health and safety leadership team, where he was responsible for the adoption of technology and innovative industry methods to drive safety, quality, digital transformation, factory automation, and future production strategy. Formally educated in public policy and building innovation ecosystems, Burts has worked to advance Fortune 500 science and technology programs and strategies from concept to university lab to marketplace.

Duality is the nations first incubator-accelerator devoted exclusively to supporting early-stage quantum startups, which play an important role in finding real-world applications for the revolutionary technology. The 12-month program provides entrepreneurial training, business expertise, industry mentorship, funding, access to world-class facilities, and co-location with some of the worlds leading quantum researchers in order to enable quantum technology ventures to thrive and grow.

As director, Burts will be responsible for the programs operational management and long-term financial stability as well as internal and external stakeholder engagement.

We are thrilled to welcome Eze to the Duality team at a critical time in the evolution of the quantum industry, said Dan Sachs, executive director ofDeep Tech Ventures, a unit of the Polsky Center that oversees a suite of deep tech accelerators including Duality. Eze is a natural leader and ecosystem builder. Given the complexities of quantum technology commercialization, his experience and passion will be invaluable for our founders as we continue to build a quantum hub in Chicago.

When I first visited Chicago as a young entrepreneur, I wish I had been able to participate in an accelerator like Duality with access to substantial startup investment and infrastructure, a vast multidisciplinary network of mentors and expertise, dedicated office space, tech transfer and commercialization resources, Burts said. Having a 1-year-old daughter drives home the need to provide education and opportunities for her to become a future STEM leader. I want to inspire and empower her to take on the toughest challenges that improve life for her generation.

Burts, a native of Los Angeles, graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy, Management, and Planning. He received an executive certificate in global marketing from Arizona State Universitys Thunderbird School of Global Management and completed executive education courses at Harvard Kennedy School, Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management, and MIT Sloan School of Management. He is a graduate of and has served as a Dynamics and Leadership instructor in the Global Logistics Professional Designation Program at California State University Long Beach. Burts also graduated from the Silicon Valley cohort of the Founder Institute, a pre-seed startup accelerator, with his startup EzuNile Industries, created to apply enhanced artificial intelligence and quantum computing technologies to global industrial water treatment and reuse methods, to improve efficiency and sustainability. Additionally, he is a founding board member of Thriving Elements, a nonprofit headquartered in Seattle that provides mentorship for girls in underserved neighborhoods who are pursuing STEM career paths.

CQE looks forward to working closely with Eze as we build an inclusive quantum future, said David Awschalom, the Liew Family Professor and Vice Dean for Research of the Pritzker School for Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago and founding director of the Chicago Quantum Exchange. Duality has played an important role in fueling the creation of cutting-edge quantum technologies, which is critical to our regions development as the nations quantum economy. Eze will be a tremendous asset to Duality through its next stage of growth and to the regions burgeoning quantum ecosystem.

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Ezunial Eze Burts Named Director of Duality Quantum - High ... - insideHPC