The race to build the future of computing just accelerated, as IBM expands its commitment to national quantum research. Joining forces with four centers funded under the 2018 National Quantum Initiative Act, the tech giant is pushing the boundaries of “quantum-centric supercomputing” – a paradigm that tightly integrates traditional and quantum processors. This isn’t simply about building a powerful quantum computer; it’s about weaving it into a comprehensive system alongside quantum sensing and communication technologies. This collaboration aims to unlock the full potential of quantum computing, potentially creating a future quantum internet and solidifying U.S. leadership in this transformative field with breakthroughs in scientific computing and beyond.
DoE Funding Drives Quantum Research
The United States Department of Energy’s (DoE) sustained investment in quantum research is demonstrably driving advancements in the field, particularly through the National Quantum Information Science Research Centers (NQISRCs). Authorized by the 2018 National Quantum Initiative Act, the DoE allocated up to $625 million to establish these five centers, fostering research into quantum computing and related technologies. This funding has enabled collaborations like the one between IBM and four of the NQISRCs, focused on realizing a vision of “quantum-centric supercomputing” (QCSC)—a tightly-coupled architecture integrating CPUs, GPUs, and quantum processing units (QPUs) to surpass the capabilities of any single hardware component. IBM’s commitment extends beyond building scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computers; it encompasses developing the necessary software and infrastructure to weave quantum computing into a broader computational fabric, ultimately aiming to unify QCSC with quantum sensing and communication.
Key to this effort are two primary research thrusts: scaling towards a future quantum computing internet and pioneering algorithm development for scientific computing and beyond. A significant initiative involves physically linking disaggregated IBM quantum computers, with ongoing discussions with the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center (SQMS) at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. IBM is introducing a Quantum Networking Unit (QNU) to facilitate extensible microwave-based link research, and a five-year goal is to entangle two IBM quantum computers linked by a microwave-based quantum network within a datacenter environment, leveraging SQMS’s expertise in scalable microwave cavities and transmission links. This continued DoE funding, coupled with private sector collaboration, positions the U.S. to potentially lead the development of a fully integrated quantum technological revolution.
IBM’s Role in Quantum Innovation
IBM is rapidly establishing itself as a central force in the burgeoning field of quantum innovation, particularly through its deep collaboration with the Department of Energy’s National Quantum Information Science Research Centers (NQISRCs). Building on the foundation laid by the 2018 National Quantum Initiative Act, which authorized up to $625 million for quantum research, IBM is now actively involved with four of the five NQISRCs, spearheading a vision for “quantum-centric supercomputing” (QCSC). This paradigm moves beyond simply building powerful quantum processors; it aims to integrate quantum processing units (QPUs) with existing CPU and GPU infrastructure, creating a tightly-coupled architecture that maximizes computational potential. Crucially, IBM’s ambition extends beyond computation, envisioning a unified future encompassing quantum sensing and quantum communication – potentially culminating in a quantum computing internet where multiple processors function as a single, cohesive system.
To achieve this, the company is concentrating on two primary areas: scaling towards this interconnected quantum internet and developing algorithms for practical scientific applications. A key component of this scaling effort is the introduction of the Quantum Networking Unit (QNU), a new interface designed to facilitate research into extensible microwave-based links. IBM is currently in discussions with the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center (SQMS) at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, with a goal to entangle two IBM quantum computers, housed in separate cryogenic infrastructure, via a microwave-based quantum network within five years, leveraging SQMS’s expertise in scalable microwave cavities and transmission links. This multifaceted approach positions IBM not simply as a hardware provider, but as a key architect of the future quantum technological landscape.
Building a Future Quantum Internet
The ambitious goal of building a future quantum internet is rapidly gaining momentum, fueled by sustained investment and collaborative efforts like those recently highlighted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s continued funding of the National Quantum Information Science Research Centers (NQISRCs). IBM, now collaborating with four of these centers, is spearheading research into “quantum-centric supercomputing” (QCSC)—a paradigm integrating CPUs, GPUs, and quantum processing units (QPUs) to surpass the limitations of any single hardware type. However, the true potential of quantum technology extends beyond computation, requiring unification with quantum sensing and, crucially, quantum communication to realize a fully interconnected quantum internet. This vision involves linking multiple quantum processors into a single, powerful system, promising significant national strategic and business advantages.
A primary focus of IBM’s collaboration with NQISRCs, particularly the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center (SQMS) at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, is scaling towards this future. The immediate challenge lies in engineering a cohesive architecture capable of seamlessly integrating computing, communication, and sensing—starting with demonstrating extensibility within a datacenter environment. IBM is introducing a Quantum Networking Unit (QNU) to facilitate research into extensible microwave-based links and is aiming to entangle two of its quantum computers—housed in separate cryogenic infrastructure—within five years, utilizing SQMS’s expertise in scalable microwave cavities and transmission links as an interconnected datacenter demonstrator. This represents a crucial step toward realizing a scalable, fault-tolerant quantum internet capable of transforming computation, communication, and sensing as we know them.
