UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre Receives First Photonic Quantum System from ORCA Computing

ORCA Computing has delivered and installed its photonic quantum computing system at the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) in a project initiated following selection in February 2024 as part of the NQCC’s Quantum Computing Testbeds programme and supported by the UK’s £121 million quantum technology initiative. The system, operational within thirty-six hours of installation, represents the first photonic quantum computer installed within a UK public sector facility and combines multiple photonic sources in a single system, designed to accelerate development of practical quantum applications and hybrid quantum-classical workflows. Initial testing has demonstrated the platform’s capabilities, including execution of an 81-parameter binary optimisation task and benchmarking of quantum/classical generative AI models, with the NQCC now entering a test and evaluation phase in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh’s Quantum Software Lab.

The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) actively collaborates with the University of Edinburgh’s Quantum Software Lab (QSL) to advance quantum computing capabilities, focusing on algorithm development tailored for the ORCA system’s photonic architecture. QSL applies its expertise in quantum compilation and optimisation to address challenges related to qubit connectivity and photon loss, transitioning from theoretical algorithm design to practical implementation and benchmarking on real hardware. They actively develop and implement error mitigation techniques to improve the reliability and accuracy of quantum computations, addressing a critical challenge in the field. Robust error mitigation techniques receive priority, improving computational reliability by addressing the inherent fragility of quantum states and minimising the impact of noise.

The NQCC and QSL jointly investigate the application of hybrid quantum-classical algorithms to specific problems in materials science, drug discovery, and finance, demonstrating the practical potential of photonic quantum computing. The NQCC-QSL collaboration investigates hybrid quantum-classical algorithms, leveraging the strengths of both computational paradigms to tackle complex problems beyond the reach of either technology alone. Specific application areas under consideration include materials discovery, drug design, and financial modelling, where photonic quantum computing may offer a competitive advantage over classical approaches.

The partnership actively explores the integration of the ORCA system with existing cloud computing platforms, enabling researchers to access quantum computing resources remotely and facilitate collaboration across institutions. The integration of the ORCA system with existing high-performance computing infrastructure receives exploration, enabling researchers to leverage the combined power of classical and quantum computers for tackling complex problems. Development of efficient communication protocols and data transfer mechanisms proves crucial for realising this integration, allowing seamless interaction between classical and quantum resources.

The NQCC and QSL jointly develop software tools and libraries that simplify the programming and control of the ORCA system, creating high-level abstractions to broaden researcher access and facilitate exploration of quantum algorithms. They develop efficient software tools and interfaces to simplify the programming and control of the ORCA system, making it accessible to a wider range of users. Standardised benchmarks and metrics for evaluating photonic quantum computers receive development, enabling fair comparisons between different hardware platforms and accelerating the overall development of the field.

The partnership actively characterises the ORCA system’s performance under various operating conditions, identifying bottlenecks and areas for improvement to refine the system’s design and optimise its performance. Data collected during these experiments informs future iterations of the ORCA system, paving the way for future generations of photonic quantum computers with enhanced capabilities. ORCA Computing actively delivers a significant advancement in quantum computing technology with its photonic system, offering a unique approach to quantum information processing. This partnership demonstrates a commitment to driving innovation in quantum computing and accelerating its adoption across various industries.