VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and IQM Quantum Computers have launched Finland’s second quantum computer, a 20-qubit device. This follows the completion of the country’s first 5-qubit quantum computer in 2021. The Finnish government has invested heavily in quantum computing, with a budget of EUR 70 million to develop a 300-qubit quantum computer. VTT and IQM have made significant technological advances, enabling the scaling up of quantum computers. The new 20-qubit quantum computer is located at VTT premises in Micronova, Espoo. The companies plan to complete a 50-qubit upgrade by the end of 2024.
Finland’s Second Quantum Computer Launch
VTT, a Finnish research, development and innovation partner, has launched Finland’s second quantum computer. This 20-qubit superconductive device results from a collaborative technology development effort between VTT and IQM Quantum Computers, a company specialising in building quantum computers. Completing this new quantum computer further strengthens Finland’s position among the countries investing in quantum computing technology.
Finland had previously completed its first quantum computer, a 5-qubit device, in 2021. The country announced its efforts in quantum computing development in November 2020, with a total budget of EUR 20.7 million from the government to develop a 50-qubit quantum computer by 2024.
Future Plans for Quantum Computers in Finland
The Finnish government has announced a total budget of EUR 70 million to scale up the quantum computer towards 300 qubits and quantum advantage in the coming years. Significant technology development steps have already been taken to scale up the now-completed 20-qubit quantum computer to 50-qubits. VTT and IQM plan to complete the upgrade by the end of 2024.
Antti Vasara, VTT’s President and CEO, stated that Finland has always pushed its boundaries to innovate and claim its spot in the international arena with science, technology, and other industries. The country has set ambitious goals to build three quantum computers in four years, relying on its domestic industry.
Technological Advances in Quantum Computers
VTT and IQM have made technological advances in the development of the 20-qubit quantum computer which make it possible to scale quantum computers and increase the number of qubits and computing power. This in turn enables solving increasingly complex, previously unsolvable problems faster, using quantum computers.
For example, they have improved integration methods and signalling and developed manufacturing and packaging methods that allow a greater number of qubits to be placed on a single silicon chip and to conduct their electrical signals at temperatures close to absolute zero. The new quantum computer has 20 qubits on a silicon chip. However, they have developed integration methods to increase the number of qubits even further.
Location and Specifications of the New Quantum Computer
The new 20-qubit quantum computer is located at VTT premises in Micronova, the national research infrastructure for micro and nanotechnology in Espoo in the south of Finland. Finland’s first 5-qubit quantum computer is also located in the same premises.
The latest results for Finland’s 20-qubit quantum computer include a qubit count of 20, 1Q fidelity: median 99.91 % (best 99.944 ± 0.003 %), 2Q fidelity: median 98.25 % (best 99.1 ± 0.3 %), Quantum volume (Classical simulation complexity): 16, Q-score (Size of combinatorial optimisation task solved): 8, and Largest GHZ genuinely entangled state: 9.
About VTT and IQM Quantum Computers
VTT is a research, development and innovation partner. They drive sustainable growth, tackle the most significant global challenges of our time, and turn them into growth opportunities. They help society and companies to grow through technological innovations.
IQM Quantum Computers is a company specialising in building quantum computers. They provide on-premises quantum computers for supercomputing centres and research labs and offer full access to its hardware. IQM delivers quantum advantage for industrial customers through a unique application-specific, co-design approach.
“In Finland, we have always challenged ourselves and pushed our boundaries to innovate, claiming our spot in the international arena with science, technology, and other industries. We have set ambitious goals to build three quantum computers in four years, relying on our domestic industry. Our first goal was to complete a 5-qubit quantum computer, and now we have reached our second goal of a 20-qubit quantum computer. Furthermore, development of a 50-qubit one is already underway,”
Antti Vasara, VTT’s President and CEO.
The CEO and Co-founder of IQM Quantum Computers, Dr. Jan Goetz, says: “We are proud of this moment. It is a pivotal achievement in our journey for our team, Finland, and the European quantum ecosystem. This is a testament to working with partners in the ecosystem and our technological capabilities. The launch of the 20-qubit quantum computer represents a significant step, and we are now on track to develop the next generation of processors with 54 qubits and more for customers. As IQM is a European quantum leader contributing to the strategic European agenda, we will continue to promote collaboration and engage various stakeholders to drive more investments in supporting the ecosystem in scaling up and becoming more competitive.”
VTT’s Research Manager, Pekka Pursula, elaborates: “We have, for example, improved integration methods and signalling. We have also developed manufacturing and packaging methods that allow a greater number of qubits to be placed on a single silicon chip and to conduct their electrical signals at temperatures close to absolute zero. The new quantum computer has 20 qubits on a silicon chip. However, we have developed the integration methods to increase the number of qubits even further.”
Summary
Finland has launched its second quantum computer, a 20-qubit device, further strengthening its position in quantum computing. The country plans to continue its development in this area, to scale up the quantum computer to 300 qubits, aiming to solve increasingly complex problems faster.”
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and IQM Quantum Computers have launched Finland’s second quantum computer, a 20-qubit device.
- This follows the completion of Finland’s first quantum computer, a 5-qubit device, in 2021.
- The Finnish government has invested heavily in quantum computing, with a total budget of EUR 20.7 million announced in 2020 to develop a 50-qubit quantum computer by 2024.
- Further investment of EUR 70 million has been announced to scale up the quantum computer towards 300 qubits.
- Significant technological developments have been made in the current project, enabling the scaling up of the 20-qubit quantum computer to 50-qubits, with completion expected by the end of 2024.
- VTT and IQM have made technological advances that allow for the scaling of quantum computers and increase in qubits and computing power.
- The new 20-qubit quantum computer is located at VTT premises in Micronova, Espoo, Finland.
- Antti Vasara, VTT’s President and CEO, and Dr. Jan Goetz, CEO and Co-founder of IQM Quantum Computers, have expressed pride in the achievement and ambition for future developments.
- VTT’s Research Manager Pekka Pursula, highlighted improvements in integration methods and signalling and developments in manufacturing and packaging methods.
