Rigetti Computing, a pioneer in quantum-classical computing, has been awarded a project by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to advance quantum algorithms for solving complex optimization problems. The project, named “Scheduling Problems with Efficient Encoding of Qubits” (SPEEQ), aims to develop an efficient encoding of optimization problems onto qubits, enabling larger problems to be mapped to currently available quantum computers. The project will specifically address scheduling problems, a common and challenging optimization problem across various industries. Rigetti’s CEO, Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, highlighted the potential impact of advancements in hybrid quantum-classical computing systems on society.
Rigetti Computing’s New Project with DARPA
Rigetti Computing, a company specialising in full-stack quantum-classical computing, has announced a new project in collaboration with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The project, named “Scheduling Problems with Efficient Encoding of Qubits” (SPEEQ), aims to develop an efficient method of encoding optimisation problems onto qubits. This could potentially allow larger problems to be mapped to currently available Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) computers. The project will focus on scheduling problems, a common type of combinatorial optimisation problem that is prevalent across many industries.
The SPEEQ project is a continuation of Rigetti’s work on the DARPA ONISQ program, “Scheduling Applications with Advanced Mixers” (SAAM). In partnership with NASA and USRA, Rigetti has been implementing hybrid quantum classical algorithms to solve binary optimisation problems. The team has found that the performance of these algorithms improves with an increased number of quantum operations. The SPEEQ project will build on these findings to address the trade-off between the number of qubits used and the number of quantum operations used.
The Limitations of Current Quantum Algorithms
Current quantum algorithms are limited by the number of qubits available on a Quantum Processing Unit (QPU). The SPEEQ project aims to overcome this limitation, enabling quantum algorithms to solve larger problems and allowing for better comparisons with current classical heuristic algorithms. At present, the problems solved by hybrid quantum-classical algorithms are approximately 100 times smaller than those solved by classical algorithms. This makes it challenging to determine how these hybrid algorithms will perform on a larger scale.
The Potential Impact of the SPEEQ Project
The encoding scheme proposed in the SPEEQ project could have numerous benefits beyond solving scheduling problems. The development of novel algorithms to solve complex combinatorial optimisation problems could have a significant impact on industries such as supply chains and logistics, which often deal with complex operations.
Rigetti’s CEO, Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, stated that one of the company’s main goals is to develop practical applications for quantum computing. The DARPA IMPAQT program provides an opportunity for Rigetti to further their research in this area, particularly with regards to optimisation problems.
Rigetti Computing is a company that specialises in full-stack quantum computing. The company has been operating quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serves a global clientele of enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. Rigetti has developed the industry’s first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems and designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, the industry’s first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility.
“One of Rigetti’s main goals is to develop practical applications for quantum computing. Being selected to work on the DARPA IMPAQT program gives us the opportunity to go further with our algorithm research, in this case with optimization problems – a class of problems with a broad impact on society. Advancements in algorithms for hybrid quantum-classical quantum computing systems will be very important in reaching narrow quantum advantage,” says Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, Rigetti Chief Executive Officer.
Summary
Rigetti Computing has been awarded a project by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to advance quantum algorithms for solving complex optimization problems. The project aims to develop a new and efficient way of encoding these problems onto qubits, potentially impacting industries such as supply chains and logistics.
- Rigetti Computing, a pioneer in quantum-classical computing, has been awarded a project by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) as part of the Imagining Practical Applications for a Quantum Tomorrow (IMPAQT) program.
- The project, named “Scheduling Problems with Efficient Encoding of Qubits” (SPEEQ), aims to develop an efficient encoding of optimization problems onto qubits, enabling larger problems to be mapped to currently available quantum computers.
- The project will specifically address scheduling problems, a common type of combinatorial optimization problem across various industries.
- Current quantum algorithms are limited by the available number of qubits on a Quantum Processing Unit (QPU). The SPEEQ project aims to enable quantum algorithms to solve larger problems for better comparison with current classical heuristic algorithms.
- The SPEEQ project builds on findings from Rigetti’s previous project for the DARPA ONISQ program, “Scheduling Applications with Advanced Mixers” (SAAM), in partnership with NASA and USRA.
- Rigetti’s CEO, Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, stated that one of the company’s main goals is to develop practical applications for quantum computing. The DARPA IMPAQT program provides an opportunity to further their research in optimization problems.
- The qubit-efficient encoding scheme proposed in the project could have numerous benefits beyond solving scheduling problems, potentially impacting supply chains, logistics, and other industries with complex operations.
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