Nu Quantum and SoftwareQ are collaborating to develop the theoretical framework for the first fault-tolerant quantum computer. The project, sponsored by the UK and Canadian governments, aims to address the challenge of scaling in quantum computing. The teams, led by Dr. Carmen Palacios-Berraquero (Nu Quantum) Dr. Vlad Gheorghiu, and Prof. Michele Mosca (SoftwareQ), will propose and test practical architectural solutions. The goal is to create a network capable of combining multiple small quantum computing nodes into a larger, usable computing platform. The project will also identify promising architectures and set performance targets for systems that can provide experimental proof-of-concept.
International Collaboration Aims to Develop Theoretical Framework for Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computer
Nu Quantum, a quantum networking company, and SoftwareQ, a quantum software company, have announced a joint project to develop the theoretical framework for a fault-tolerant quantum computer. This project, which is sponsored by the UK and Canadian governments, aims to address one of the most pressing challenges in the field of Quantum Computing (QC): scalability.
The project’s goal is to quantify the requirements of a network capable of combining multiple small and currently-realizable QC ‘nodes’ into a larger, usable compute platform. The project also aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a system that can meet these requirements. This work is based on well-understood frameworks and represents the first step towards building a multi-core, distributed, error-corrected QC paradigm.
Quantum Data Centre Networking: A Path to Scalability
Error correction and algorithms with advantage require larger quantum-coherent systems than have been created to date. Quantum data centre networking provides a path to scale complementary to qubit node development. To take advantage of a distributed quantum computer, the compiler stack must be aware of the nature of high fidelity, long-range entanglement.
Nu Quantum and SoftwareQ are using hardware-software codesign techniques to integrate SoftwareQ’s advanced compiler technology into the real-time firmware of Nu Quantum’s control system. This integration allows for the construction of an architecture that maximizes the use of every qubit and link available in a computer, as soon as it becomes ready, thereby accelerating progress towards useful quantum computing.
Project Quarrefour: A Joint Effort Towards Quantum Computing
The project, named Quarrefour, was made possible through a joint program between the UK and Canadian governments. For Nu Quantum, the funding entity was Innovate UK under the competition ‘Canada UK Commercialising Quantum Technology Programme: CR&D’; for SoftwareQ, the funding entity was National Research Council of Canada through the Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).
The project aims to quantify the impact of different network topologies (graphs), system scale (qubits-per-node; number of nodes), network performance (rate; loss), and applied Error Correction scheme(s). It will also identify the most promising architecture(s) and set real-world performance targets for systems that can first provide experimental proof-of-concept, and then be further exploited towards instantiating a Fault Tolerant Quantum Computer.
Quantum Computing: A Collaborative Effort
The collaboration between Nu Quantum and SoftwareQ is seen as a powerful alliance between two pioneering entities in the field of quantum computing. The joint efforts aim to push the boundaries of quantum compiling, scalability, and fault-tolerance, unlocking new possibilities and paving the way for transformative applications.
The complementary strengths of SoftwareQ’s expertise in quantum circuit optimization, and quantum compilers combined with Nu Quantum’s unique, modular quantum networking hardware provide a credible path to a highly efficient error correction architecture. This can accelerate the availability of valuable quantum computing services and is usefully agnostic to different hardware modalities.
The Future of Quantum Computing
Nu Quantum is working towards a solution for modular networking and high-performance entanglement. This collaboration with SoftwareQ will help guide future development work towards architecting and building a fault-tolerant networked quantum computer. The UK and Canada are at the forefront of commercialising quantum technologies, and this project is a great example of what can be achieved through strong industrial relationships and leveraging mutual strengths to accelerate quantum technologies to market.
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