Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, a large research finance based in Sweden, will fund the development of a replica of a quantum computer that will be created at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. The new computer will also have its quantum helpdesk that will support Swedish businesses and researchers in solving quantum technology problems.
Since 2018, Chalmers University of Technology has been running a massive project to develop and build a Swedish quantum computer under the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WACQT) program. The Chalmers quantum computer currently contains 25 quantum bits or qubits. The goal is to get 100 qubits by 2029, but even with 25 bits, running quantum algorithms on a computer is fascinating. The problem is that the machine is rarely available because researchers always attempt to improve it.
“We’re therefore going to build a copy of our quantum computer and make it available as a test bed for companies and researchers to run algorithms. Its purpose is to raise Sweden’s competence level in quantum technology and lower the threshold for using quantum computers”
Per Delsing, a professor at Chalmers and director of WACQT
The Centre intends to create and secure Swedish expertise in the primary fields of quantum technology, including quantum computing and simulation, quantum communications, and quantum sensing, through an ambitious research program. The fundamental goal of WACQT is to create a quantum computer capable of solving tasks that are much above the capabilities of the finest conventional supercomputers.
“The idea is that users shouldn’t need much prior knowledge. It should be enough for a company to have a problem which they’ve heard might be solved by a quantum computer. The Quantum Helpdesk will help them from there”
PER DELSING, A PROFESSOR AT CHALMERS AND DIRECTOR OF WACQT
The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation 102 million SEK Funding
The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation aims to improve Sweden by funding basic research and teaching in medicine, technology, and natural sciences, with that, the foundation have provided money for the test bed for SEK 102 million. Along with the quantum computer, the test bed will have a support function, known as a quantum helpdesk, to coach users and assist them in distilling their problems into workable quantum algorithms. The test bed will also house testing equipment for companies working on quantum technology components.
“Another big difference is that we’re transparent with what’s under the hood of our quantum computers. That allows you to optimise the algorithms for the hardware, thus increasing the chance of successful computations”
PER DELSING, A PROFESSOR AT CHALMERS AND DIRECTOR OF WACQT
The test bed will launch its equipment for testing components and the Quantum Helpdesk in 2024, while the quantum computer will open for algorithm running in 2025. The quantum computer will initially have 25 qubits, but will be increased to 40 qubits within a few years.
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