Tuesday, September 10th, 2024

Enjoy a nice cup of freshly brewed quantum news ☕️ 

Today’s issue includes:

• Scientists from the University of Sydney and Q-CTRL demonstrated a universal quantum gate set for Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) logical qubits using trapped ions.

• Physicists from the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge have created a new, two-dimensional new phase of matter, relevant for applications in quantum computing.

• Moth hires ex-IBM James Wootton as CSO to lead the development of quantum computing applications in gaming.

• Atom Computing and Microsoft have partnered to develop the world's most powerful quantum computer.

• Plus, IonQ’s new partnership, Bob Sutor joins Nu Quantum, the first time ORNL's quantum equipment will run on a commercially available quantum network, and more.

And even more research, news, & events within quantum.

🔬 University of Sydney and Q-CTRL Achieve Universal Quantum Gates for GKP Qubits with Harmonic Oscillators

QUICK BYTE: Scientists from the University of Sydney and Q-CTRL demonstrated a universal quantum gate set for Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) logical qubits using trapped ions.

DETAILS: 

• University of Sydney and Q-CTRL researchers demonstrated a universal quantum gate set for Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) logical qubits using trapped ions. They achieved single-qubit gate process fidelities of 0.960 and two-qubit entangling gate fidelities of 0.680, with logical qubits encoded in the harmonic motion of ions.

• They used computer-optimized control techniques to adjust the interaction between the ions' spins and their motion using laser pulses, preserving the structure of the GKP qubits, which have limited energy, and reducing errors during quantum gate operations.

• A key outcome was the direct creation of a GKP Bell state with a fidelity of 0.842 in a single step from the ground state, showing that highly entangled states can be efficiently generated.

• This work provides an example of a hardware-efficient approach to encoding qubits in harmonic oscillators, which could be used to reduce the physical qubit overhead typically required for quantum error correction.

🖼️ Cambridge Physicists Create First 2D Bose Glass, Unlocking Quantum Computing Potential with Ultracold Atoms and Quasiperiodic Patterns

QUICK BYTE: Physicists from the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge have created the first two-dimensional version of the Bose glass, a new phase of matter, by cooling ultracold atoms in a laser-induced quasiperiodic pattern, relevant for applications in quantum computing.

DETAILS: 

• Physicists from the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge created the first two-dimensional Bose glass, a phase of matter where all particles are localized, preventing them from mixing with their neighbors.

• Overlapping laser beams were used to form a quasiperiodic pattern and filled with ultracold atoms cooled to nanokelvin temperatures, leading to the formation of the Bose glass. The glass displays non-ergodic behavior, meaning it retains its initial conditions.

• This research is significant because the Bose glass could advance quantum computing by preserving quantum information for longer, as localized systems do not mix with their environment, reducing the issue of decoherence.

• Additionally, the experiment revealed a sharp phase transition from Bose glass to superfluid, offering insights into how these distinct phases coexist and confirming theoretical predictions about the Bose-Hubbard model.

🎨 Moth Hires Previous IBM Researcher James Wootton as Chief Science Officer to Lead Quantum Computing Innovations in Gaming, AI, and Content Creation

QUICK BYTE: Moth, a quantum technology startup, has hired prominent researcher James Wootton as its Chief Science Officer to lead the development of quantum computing applications in gaming, including procedural generation, AI, and graphics.

DETAILS: 

• Moth, a London-based startup focused on integrating quantum technology into music, gaming, and the arts, has hired prominent researcher James Wootton as its first Chief Science Officer.

• Wootton, a former IBM quantum researcher, will lead Moth’s scientific efforts to develop quantum algorithms for procedural content generation, character AI, and graphics to rewrite the standard of how games are created and experienced.

• Moth has raised over $3 million to date and is working on utilizing NISQ computers to create new creative tools for game developers, with plans to extend these innovations to the music and visual media industries.

• The company is preparing to release its first major product this year, focusing on combining quantum computing and generative AI for content creation.

⚡️ Atom Computing and Microsoft Announce Intentions to Build World's Most Powerful Quantum Computer with Neutral Atom Technology

QUICK BYTE: Atom Computing and Microsoft have partnered to develop the world's most powerful quantum computer, using Atom Computing's neutral atom technology.

DETAILS: 

• Atom Computing and Microsoft have announced a collaboration to develop the world's most powerful quantum computer, with intentions to achieve fault-tolerant quantum computing using Atom Computing's neutral atom technology.

• The partnership will focus on creating logical qubits through quantum error-correction, which groups multiple physical qubits to form a single qubit with low error rates, allowing quantum computers to run complex algorithms that are resistant to the imperfections of physical qubits.

• Atom Computing's second-generation systems, with large numbers of high-fidelity qubits, all-to-all qubit connectivity, long coherence times, and qubit reset capabilities, will be used to demonstrate logical qubits and co-develop fault-tolerant quantum algorithms with Microsoft.

Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Quantum Computing Summer School provided 21 students with hands-on experience in quantum computing, allowing them to work on cutting-edge research alongside expert mentors, including researchers from Xanadu. The students tackled complex topics such as quantum machine learning, quantum error mitigation, and material science applications using quantum technology, resulting in new research papers and potential career advancements. This program is part of the Lab’s effort to grow quantum science expertise and build a future workforce in critical national security and scientific fields.

Professor Prakash Vedula of the University of Oklahoma developed an algorithm, the Shukla–Vedula algorithm, for exponential improvements in creating uniform quantum superposition states. This algorithm, integrated into Google’s Cirq and IBM’s Qiskit platforms, has practical applications in fields like quantum search, optimization, and finance, with companies like Goldman Sachs already utilizing it for risk analysis in financial derivatives.

IonQ and the University of Maryland have expanded their partnership to provide state-of-the-art quantum computing access at the National Quantum Lab, providing the opportunity for UMD students, faculty, and researchers to work with IonQ's trapped ion quantum computers. UMD has developed QLab as a quantum innovation hub for encouraging economic development, global collaboration, and preparing a skilled quantum workforce. This partnership supports that goal to advance quantum research, scientific discovery, and the quantum computing user base.

Nu Quantum, a quantum entanglement startup, has appointed former IBM quantum leader Dr. Bob Sutor as a non-executive director to support its expansion into the U.S. market and its efforts to scale quantum networking and commercialization. Dr. Sutor, a veteran in quantum technology, brings decades of industry experience and will help guide Nu Quantum's mission focusing on large-scale quantum networking and Practical Quantum Advantage.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has begun testing its Automatic Polarization Compensation technology on the EPB Quantum Network in Chattanooga, which makes it the first time ORNL's quantum equipment will run on a commercially available quantum network. This collaboration, which includes the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, intends to validate the commercial viability of APC technology for real-world quantum data transmission, addressing challenges such as environmental interference in quantum fiber networks.

Quantum Signals has launched with support from Quantonation to integrate artificial intelligence with quantum computing for the finance sector. Initially focusing on optimizing large order executions through AI-driven real-time market analysis, the company is working towards incorporating quantum computing as the technology matures, providing solutions for traders and institutional investors.

QLLIANSE, a new initiative announced at the Quantum World Congress, is working towards establishing the Southeastern U.S. as a major hub for quantum technology by encouraging collaboration among academia, industry, and government to build a people-centered quantum ecosystem. Supported by key partners such as IonQ, NC State University, and Qubitekk, the consortium focuses on talent development, equitable access to quantum advancements, and driving economic growth through quantum innovation in the region.

LISTEN

In this episode of The New Quantum Era podcast, hosts Sebastian Hassinger and Kevin Rowney interview Dr. Toby Cubitt, a professor at UCL and co-founder of Phasecraft. Dr. Cubitt highlights Phasecraft's focus on bridging theoretical algorithms with commercially viable applications, particularly in material science and chemistry simulations, while maintaining a realistic, cautiously optimistic outlook on quantum progress. He also shares insights on innovative quantum algorithms and the potential milestones for achieving quantum advantage in the coming years.

ENJOY

In a recent article, Yuval Boger explores the diverse perspectives of key stakeholders in the quantum computing ecosystem—manufacturers, end-users, and academia—bringing to light their various priorities for the technology's development. Manufacturers focus on scalability, end-users prioritize error correction and access, while academia drives fundamental advancements in quantum hardware. The article draws on data from a 2024 survey, offering insights into how these groups perceive progress, technical challenges, and the future of quantum computing. Understanding these differences is essential for prioritizing collaboration and ensuring that quantum technology evolves to meet the needs of all sectors.

WATCH

In this episode of Crosstalk, IBM's Blake Johnson explains how Qiskit has improved its performance over the past year, making it on of the most efficient quantum SDKs: