Mitsubishi Electric Corporation will begin research and development on two projects selected for funding by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization. The initiative supports advancements in quantum computing within the emerging post-5G technological landscape. A central goal of the R&D is scaling quantum computers to one million qubits, a threshold the company recognizes as critical for surpassing the capabilities of conventional computers, Mitsubishi Electric says. These projects will focus on developing multi-qubit control laser systems and ultra-compact, low-noise amplifier modules to address qubit fragility and the need for error correction.
Multi-Qubit Control Lasers Advance Post-5G Computing
Mitsubishi Electric is developing multi-qubit control laser systems to improve processing capacity as it addresses a core limitation in scaling quantum computers. The NEDO project, formally known as the Research and Development Project to Strengthen Post-5G Information and Communication System Infrastructure, targets accelerating the development of quantum computers.
Scaling to one million qubits presents a significant hurdle, as qubits are inherently fragile and prone to errors; therefore, technologies capable of combining multiple qubits for error correction are essential. These projects anticipate advancements in fields ranging from medicine and drug discovery to finance, logistics, and energy, where larger-scale simulations and optimization are crucial for progress.
Mitsubishi Electric anticipates that successful development will move quantum computing beyond theoretical potential and toward practical, industrial applications, offering advantages over conventional computing methods, according to the company. The company’s work is part of a broader effort to establish quantum computers as a foundational element of post-5G infrastructure.
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