Rigetti UK Limited and Oxford Instruments NanoScience have completed a three-year project to build and operate one of the UK’s first quantum computers. The project, backed by the UK government’s Quantum Technologies Challenge, aimed to accelerate the commercialization of quantum computing in the UK. The 32-qubit Aspen-class quantum computer was Rigetti’s first system deployed in the UK and was made available over the cloud. The consortium also included the Quantum Software Lab at the University of Edinburgh, Phasecraft, and Standard Chartered Bank. Rigetti recently announced plans to deliver a 24-qubit quantum computing system to the National Quantum Computing Centre.
Rigetti and Oxford Instruments Complete Quantum Computing Project
Rigetti UK Limited, a subsidiary of Rigetti Computing, Inc., and Oxford Instruments NanoScience have announced the successful completion of a three-year project to build and operate one of the first quantum computers in the UK. The project, which also involved the Quantum Software Lab at the University of Edinburgh, Phasecraft, and Standard Chartered Bank, aimed to accelerate the commercialization of quantum computing in the UK.
The project’s objectives included the delivery of a quantum computer in the UK, advancing practical applications in machine learning, materials simulation, and finance, and furthering the development of the UK’s quantum computing talent, infrastructure, and national supply chain. The consortium was backed by funding from the UK government’s Quantum Technologies Challenge, led by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI).
The Quantum Computer and Its Applications
The 32-qubit Aspen™-class quantum computer was Rigetti’s first system deployed in the UK. It was made available over the cloud to the Company’s UK partners via Rigetti’s Quantum Cloud Services (QCS™) cloud computing platform to pursue quantum application and algorithm development. The Quantum Software Lab worked to develop new ways of testing quantum hardware and verifying the performance of quantum programs and worked with Standard Chartered Bank to advance quantum machine learning applications for finance. Phasecraft used its deep knowledge of quantum algorithms and high-efficiency quantum software to harness the system for near-term applications in materials design and simulation.
The system was hosted at Oxford Instruments’ Tubney Woods facility using Oxford Instruments’ ProteoxLX dilution refrigerator, and was supported by Oxford Instruments’ state-of-the-art infrastructure and expert cryogenics support. Smooth and seamless infrastructure was essential so that the consortium partners could run algorithms without interruption via QCS. Backup power and resilient cooling systems in highly controlled temperature and humidity environments guaranteed high uptime of the quantum system.
Rigetti’s Future Quantum Computing Endeavors in the UK
Rigetti recently announced that it won a UKRI Competition to deliver a 24-qubit quantum computing system to the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) based on the Company’s latest Ankaa™-class chip architecture. Rigetti CEO, Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, expressed excitement about continuing to contribute to the UK’s quantum computing capabilities and leveraging the experience gained from the project to further develop Rigetti’s UK quantum computing leadership.
The project not only resulted in the successful deployment of a quantum computer in the UK but also led to subsequent quantum application development work. Standard Chartered Bank, for instance, is exploring the feasibility of quantum machine learning methods to more effectively process, interpret, and make decisions with complex data streams. Phasecraft, on the other hand, was able to advance its quantum simulation algorithm and software development for near-term applications, gaining valuable insight into real-world use cases that will help with the adoption of practical quantum computing across many industries.
Rigetti is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing, operating quantum computers over the cloud since 2017. Oxford Instruments NanoScience designs, supplies, and supports research tools that enable quantum technologies, new materials, and device development in the physical sciences. Standard Chartered is a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Phasecraft is a quantum algorithms company, whose mission is to accelerate the practical application of quantum computing. The Quantum Software Lab at the University of Edinburgh is a world-leading research lab developing software for quantum computers.
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