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Another record has been broken on the way to fully operational and capable quantum computers: the complete control of a 6-qubit quantum processor in silicon.

Researchers are calling it "a major stepping stone" for the technology.

Qubits (or quantum bits) are the quantum equivalents of classical computing bits, only they can potentially process much more information. Thanks to quantum physics, they can be in two states at once, rather than just a single 1 or 0.

The difficulty is in getting a lot of qubits to behave as we need them to, which is why this jump to six is important. Being able to operate them in silicon the same material used in today's electronic devices makes the technology potentially more viable.

"The quantum computing challenge today consists of two parts," says quantum computing researcher Stephan Philips from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. "Developing qubits that are of good enough quality, and developing an architecture that allows one to build large systems of qubits."

"Our work fits into both categories. And since the overall goal of building a quantum computer is an enormous effort, I think it is fair to say we have made a contribution in the right direction."

The qubits are made from individual electrons fixed in a row, 90 nanometers apart (a human hair is around 75,000 nanometers in diameter). This line of 'quantum dots' is placed in silicon, using a structure similar to the transistors used in standard processors.

By making careful improvements to the way the electrons were prepared, managed, and monitored, the team was able to successfully control their spin the quantum mechanical property that enables the qubit state.

The researchers were also able to create logic gates and entangle systems of two or three electrons, on demand, with low error rates.

Researchers used microwave radiation, magnetic fields, and electric potentials to control and read electron spin, operating them as qubits, and getting them to interact with each other as required.

"In this research, we push the envelope of the number of qubits in silicon, and achieve high initialization fidelities, high readout fidelities, high single-qubit gate fidelities, and high two-qubit state fidelities," says electrical engineer Lieven Vandersypen, also from the Delft University of Technology.

"What really stands out though is that we demonstrate all these characteristics together in one single experiment on a record number of qubits."

Up until this point, only 3-qubit processors have been successfully built in silicon and controlled up to the necessary level of quality so we're talking about a major step forward in terms of what's possible in this type of qubit.

There are different ways of building qubits including on superconductors, where many more qubits have been operated together and scientists are still figuring out the method that might be the best way forward.

The advantage of silicon is that the manufacturing and supply chains are all already in place, meaning the transition from a scientific laboratory to an actual machine should be more straightforward. Work continues to keep pushing the qubit record even higher.

"With careful engineering, it is possible to increase the silicon spin qubit count while keeping the same precision as for single qubits," says electrical engineer Mateusz Madzik from the Delft University of Technology.

"The key building block developed in this research could be used to add even more qubits in the next iterations of study."

The research has been published in Nature.

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There's a New Quantum Computing Record: Control of a 6-Qubit Processor in Silicon - ScienceAlert

Former VP of Photonic Technologies Ascends to CTO; Quantum Ecosystem Leader Welcomes Dr. William Clark as VP of Quantum Development, Laura Hale as VP of Government Programs and Steve Matthews as VP of Business Development for Quantum Information Platforms

BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ColdQuanta, the global quantum ecosystem leader, today announced it has expanded its leadership team with a stable of quantum experts including: Dr. William Clarkas Vice President of Quantum Development, Laura Haleas Vice President of Government Programs, and Steve Matthews, as Vice President of Sales & Business Development for Quantum Information Platforms. VP of Photonic Technologies, Dr. Chris Wood, has been promotedto Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Acting Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Dana Z. Anderson, will serve as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), guiding the company's long-term quantum strategy.

These appointments come on the heels of several technical milestones, industry partnerships, and growth across the company's entire portfolio of quantum ecosystem solutions. Earlier this year ColdQuanta's quantum matter platform, Albert, launched in beta at the Laser World of Photonics Conference in Munich, where it was honored as the 2022 Prism Award winner for Quantum. Additionally, ColdQuanta announced the commercial beta launch of Hilbert, the world's first cold atom quantum computer. The company made its first acquisition of quantum software company, Super.tech.

"ColdQuanta has grown tremendously this past year, and that momentum is what attracted this talented group of respected and accomplished individuals to the company," said Scott Faris, ColdQuanta CEO. "Chris, William, Laura and Steve each bring a unique perspective and background that together with our existing leadership team will further ColdQuanta's mission to build the most robust and diversified portfolio of quantum devices and platforms."

As CTO, Wood will guide ColdQuanta's technology and new product strategy, which includes overseeing the critical transition from Research to Engineering to Product. He brings extensive familiarity with rugged, field-proven mil-spec and space-qualified solid-state lasers, Telcordia-qualified lasers, Photonic Integrated Circuits, and optical fabrication and coatings from previous jobs at Insight Lidar, Kapteyn-Murnane Laboratories, Lockheed Martin Coherent Technologies, and Precision Photonics.

Dr. Clark joins ColdQuanta from General Dynamics Mission Systems, where he was a Senior Engineering Fellow, and the Founder and Director of the Quantum Laboratory and Quantum Center of Excellence, where he explored the practical use of quantum technologies for secure and covert communications, remote sensing and signal processing. His depth of knowledge of quantum science and his passion for seeing quantum technology advance align with our shared views and values. At ColdQuanta, he'll help us transition technology into fielded systems, unlock initial commercialization success, and increase research funding.

In her role as Vice President of Government Programs, Hale brings a rich background in program, product, and systems engineering across multiple domains, including ground, space, and novel environments. Hale's career spans transformational leadership positions with NASA, the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, the Space Development Agency, and various elements of the US Department of Defense and Intelligence Community.

Matthews joins ColdQuanta as Vice President of Sales & Business Development for Quantum Information Platforms, bringing 20 years of Enterprise Software Sales experience to his role. He previously worked at quantum computing software company, QC Ware, helping clients gain competitive advantage and prepare for disruption through a mix of professional services and software products.

About ColdQuantaColdQuanta is a global quantum technology company solving the world's most challenging problems. The company harnesses quantum mechanics to build and integrate quantum computers, sensors, and networks. From fundamental physics to leading edge commercial products, ColdQuanta enables "quantum everywhere" through our ecosystem of devices and platforms.Founded in 2007, ColdQuanta grew from decades of research in atomic physics and work at JILA, with intellectual property licensed through the University of Colorado and University of Wisconsin. ColdQuanta's scalable and versatile cold atom technology is used by world-class organizations around the globe and deployed by NASA on the International Space Station. ColdQuanta is based in Boulder, CO, with offices in Chicago, IL; Madison, WI; and Oxford, UK. Find out how ColdQuanta is building the future at http://www.coldquanta.comand on YouTube.

The name ColdQuanta and the ColdQuanta logo are both registered trademarks of ColdQuanta, Inc.

SOURCE ColdQuanta

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ColdQuanta Expands Leadership Team with Promotion of Chris Wood to Chief Technology Officer and Addition of New Top Talent - PR Newswire

- Delivers 127 qubits on a single IBM quantum processor for the first time with breakthrough packaging technology

- New processor furthers IBM's industry-leading roadmaps for advancing the performance of its quantum systems

- Previews design for IBM Quantum System Two, a next generation quantum system to house future quantum processors

Nov 16, 2021

ARMONK, N.Y., Nov. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced its new 127-quantum bit (qubit) 'Eagle' processor at the IBM Quantum Summit 2021, its annual event to showcase milestones in quantum hardware, software, and the growth of the quantum ecosystem. The 'Eagle' processor is a breakthrough in tapping into the massive computing potential of devices based on quantum physics. It heralds the point in hardware development where quantum circuits cannot be reliably simulated exactly on a classical computer. IBM also previewed plans for IBM Quantum System Two, the next generation of quantum systems.

Quantum computing taps into the fundamental quantum nature of matter at subatomic levels to offer the possibility of vastly increased computing power. The fundamental computational unit of quantum computing is the quantum circuit, an arrangement of qubits into quantum gates and measurements. The more qubits a quantum processor possesses, the more complex and valuable the quantum circuits that it can run.

IBM recently debuted detailed roadmaps for quantum computing, including a path for scaling quantum hardwareto enable complex quantum circuits to reach Quantum Advantage, the point at which quantum systems can meaningfully outperform their classical counterpoints. Eagle is the latest step along this scaling path.

IBM measures progress in quantum computing hardware through three performance attributes: Scale, Quality and Speed. Scale is measured in the number of qubits on a quantum processor and determines how large of a quantum circuit can be run. Quality is measured by Quantum Volume and describes how accurately quantum circuits run on a real quantum device. Speed is measured by CLOPS(Circuit Layer Operations Per Second), a metric IBM introduced in November 2021, and captures the feasibility of running real calculations composed of a large number of quantum circuits.

127-qubit Eagle processor

'Eagle' is IBM's first quantum processor developed and deployed to contain more than 100 operational and connected qubits. It follows IBM's 65-qubit 'Hummingbird' processor unveiled in 2020 and the 27-qubit 'Falcon' processor unveiled in 2019. To achieve this breakthrough, IBM researchers built on innovations pioneered within its existing quantum processors, such as a qubit arrangement design to reduce errors and an architecture to reduce the number of necessary components. The new techniques leveraged within Eagle place control wiring on multiple physical levels within the processor while keeping the qubits on a single layer, which enables a significant increase in qubits.

The increased qubit count will allow users to explore problems at a new level of complexity when undertaking experiments and running applications, such as optimizing machine learning or modeling new molecules and materials for use in areas spanning from the energy industry to the drug discovery process. 'Eagle' is the first IBM quantum processor whose scale makes it impossible for a classical computer to reliably simulate. In fact, the number of classical bits necessary to represent a state on the 127-qubit processor exceeds the total number of atoms in the more than 7.5 billion people alive today.

"The arrival of the 'Eagle' processor is a major step towards the day when quantum computers can outperform classical computers for useful applications," said Dr. Daro Gil, Senior Vice President, IBM and Director of Research. "Quantum computing has the power to transform nearly every sector and help us tackle the biggest problems of our time. This is why IBM continues to rapidly innovate quantum hardware and software design, building ways for quantum and classical workloads to empower each other, and create a global ecosystem that is imperative to the growth of a quantum industry."

The first 'Eagle' processor is available as an exploratory device on the IBM Cloud to select members of the IBM Quantum Network.

For a more technical description of the 'Eagle' processor, read this blog.

IBM Quantum System Two

In 2019, IBM unveiled IBM Quantum System One, the world's first integrated quantum computing system. Since then, IBM has deployed these systems as the foundation of its cloud-based IBM Quantum services in the United States, as well as in Germany for Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Germany's leading scientific research institution, in Japan for the University of Tokyo, and a forthcoming system in the U.S. at Cleveland Clinic. In addition, we announced today a new partnership with Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, to deploy the first IBM quantum system in the country. For more details, click here.

As IBM continues scaling its processors, they are expected to mature beyond the infrastructure of IBM Quantum System One. Therefore, we're excited to unveil a concept for the future of quantum computing systems: IBM Quantum System Two. IBM Quantum System Two is designed to work with IBM's future 433-qubit and 1,121 qubit processors.

"IBM Quantum System Two offers a glimpse into the future quantum computing datacenter, where modularity and flexibility of system infrastructure will be key towards continued scaling," said Dr. Jay Gambetta, IBM Fellow and VP of Quantum Computing. "System Two draws on IBM's long heritage in both quantum and classical computing, bringing in new innovations at every level of the technology stack."

Central to IBM Quantum System Two is the concept of modularity. As IBM progresses along its hardware roadmap and builds processors with larger qubit counts, it is vital that the control hardware has the flexibility and resources necessary to scale. These resources include control electronics, which allow users to manipulate the qubits, and cryogenic cooling, which keeps the qubits at a temperature low enough for their quantum properties to manifest.

IBM Quantum System Two's design will incorporate a new generation of scalable qubit control electronics together with higher-density cryogenic components and cabling. Furthermore, IBM Quantum System Two introduces a new cryogenic platform, designed in conjunction with Bluefors, featuring a novel, innovative structural design to maximize space for the support hardware required by larger processors while ensuring that engineers can easily access and service the hardware.

In addition, the new design brings the possibility to provide a larger shared cryogenic work-space ultimately leading to the potential linking of multiple quantum processors. The prototype IBM Quantum System Two is expected to be up and running in 2023.

Statements regarding IBM's future direction and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice and represent goals and objectives only.

About IBMFor more information, visit: https://research.ibm.com/quantum-computing.

ContactHugh CollinsIBM Research CommunicationsHughdcollins@ibm.com

Kortney EasterlyIBM Research CommunicationsKortney.Easterly@ibm.com

SOURCE IBM

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IBM Unveils Breakthrough 127-Qubit Quantum Processor

The idea of using the laws of quantum mechanics for computation was proposed in 1982 by Richard Feynman. But Deutschwho is at the University of Oxford, UKis often credited with establishing the conceptual foundations of the discipline. Computer bits that obey quantum principles, such as superposition and entanglement, can carry out some calculations much faster and more efficiently than ones that obey classical rules. In 1985 Deutsch postulated that a device made from such quantum bits (qubits) could be made universal, meaning it could simulate any quantum system. Deutsch framed his proposal in the context of the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics (of which he is an advocate), likening the process of one quantum computation to that of many parallel computations occurring simultaneously in entangled worlds.

To motivate further work in quantum computing, researchers at the time needed problems that a quantum computer could uniquely solve. I remember conversations in the early 1990s in which people would argue about whether quantum computers would ever be able to do anything really useful, says quantum physicist William Wootters of Williams College, Massachusetts, who has worked with Bennett and Brassard on quantum cryptography problems. Then suddenly Peter Shor devised a quantum algorithm that could indeed do something eminently useful.

In 1995 Shor, who is now at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, developed an algorithm that could factorize large integersdecompose them into products of primesmuch more efficiently than any known classical algorithm. In classical computation, the time that it takes to factorize a large number increases exponentially as the number gets larger, which is why factorizing large numbers provides the basis for todays methods for online data encryption. Shors algorithm showed that for a quantum computer, the time needed increases less rapidly, making factorizing large numbers potentially more feasible. This theoretical demonstration immediately injected energy into the field, Wootters says. Shor has also made important contributions to the theory of quantum error correction, which is more challenging in quantum than in classical computation (see Focus: LandmarksCorrecting Quantum Computer Errors).

Without Deutsch and Shor we would not have the field of quantum computation as we know it today, says quantum theorist Artur Ekert of the University of Oxford, who considers Deutsch his mentor. David defined the field, and Peter took it to an entirely different level by discovering the real power of quantum computation and by showing that it actually can be done.

Data encryption is the topic cited for the award of Bennett (IBMs Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, New York) and Brassard (University of Montreal, Canada). In 1984 the pair described a protocol in which information could be encoded in qubits and sent between two parties in such a way that the information could not be read by an eavesdropper without that intervention being detected. Like quantum computing, this quantum cryptographic scheme relies on entangling qubits, meaning that their properties are interdependent, no matter how far apart they are separated. This BB84 protocol and similar quantum encryption schemes have now been used for secure transmission of data along optical networks and even via satellite over thousands of kilometers (see Focus: Intercontinental, Quantum-Encrypted Messaging and Video).

In 1993 Bennett and Brassard also showed how entanglement may be harnessed for quantum teleportation, whereby the state of one qubit is broadcast to another distant one while the original state is destroyed (see Focus: LandmarksTeleportation is not Science Fiction). This process too has applications in quantum information processing.

I am really gratified by this award because it recognizes the field of quantum information and computation, Shor says. Deutsch echoes the sentiment: Im glad that [quantum information] is now officially regarded as fundamental physics rather than as philosophy, mathematics, computer science, or engineering.

Deutsch, Shor, Bennett, and Brassard deserve recognition for their work, and Im delighted that theyre getting it, Wootters says. He notes that their research not only inspired the development of quantum technologies, but also influenced new research in quantum foundations. Quantum information theory views quantum theory through a novel lens and opens up a new perspective from which to address foundational questions.

Excerpt from:
Physics - Breakthrough Prize for the Physics of Quantum Informationand of Cells - Physics

What will be the next big thing in technology? Some futurists have made the case for quantum computing stocks.

Quantum computing aims to reimagine the future of advanced calculations. Historically, computing power has grown at a predictable rate largely constrained by Moores Law. This is the observation that as the number of transistors on a semiconductor chip tends to double every two years, the cost of computing drops by half. This has long governed the pace of innovation in the computing industry.

However, were hitting physical limits to how much smaller chip fabrication technologies can reach. Moores Law cant go on forever. To deliver further exponential gains, a new computing technique will be needed. According to Microsofts (NASDAQ:MSFT) fact sheet, Quantum computers harness the unique behavior of quantum physics such as superposition, entanglement, and quantum interference and apply it to computing.

If successfully applied at a commercial scale, this new technique could offer breakthroughs in fields as diverse as artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, computation chemistry and autonomous driving. Here are seven quantum computing stocks that could stand to benefit.

Source: IgorGolovniov / Shutterstock.com

Many discussions of quantum computing start withAlphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG, NASDAQ:GOOGL). In 2019, Google announced that it had achieved quantum supremacy, in which its quantum computer Sycamore achieved the rapid calculation of a problem that would take existing supercomputers thousands of years to achieve.

This claim has since come under fire. In 2022, Chinese scientists responded, saying they had built a classical computer that could achieve the calculation in a similar period of time and outperform Sycamore. As happens on the cutting edge of science, a great deal of rivalry and competition remains.

In any case, Googles announcement set off a land rush in the quantum computing space. Google has a unique position in that if its Sycamore project has increasing success, it can leverage that across a wide variety of other futuristic Google ventures such as AI, healthcare and autonomous driving. It may take a long time for any quantum computing venture to add much to Googles top line given how massive the core search and advertising business is by comparison. However, this stock is clearly part of the quantum computing conversation.

Source: Shutterstock

Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) has its sights on a number of next-generation technology applications. One of these includes quantum computing. Nvidia appears to be marketing itself as a picks-and-shovels sort of way to get exposure to the industry.

It can do this via creating quantum simulations. Heres the companys explanation: NVIDIA cuQuantum is an SDK of optimized libraries and tools for accelerating quantum computing workflows. With NVIDIA GPU Tensor Core GPUs, developers can use cuQuantum to speed up quantum circuit simulations based on state vector and tensor network methods by orders of magnitude.

Quantum computing is unlikely to be a primary driver of NVDAs stock price in the near future. But it could add another catalyst to the companys growth outlook over time.

Source: shutterstock.com/LCV

IBM (NYSE:IBM) has been working on developing its own quantum computing systems for quite awhile. And its had a significant amount of success to date. Its Hummingbird computing system hit 65 qubits of operating capability in 2020. IBM is aiming to top 1,000 qubits within the next couple of years. The capacity of qubits is a key consideration for when this technology may reach commercial viability.

Investors might be skeptical of IBMs abilities here. After all, the company has long touted Watson, its AI-powered computer system that answers questions posed to it in natural language. Watson has proven adept in winning at games such as chess and Jeopardy but has not achieved the levels of commercial prominence that IBM stock bulls might have previously hoped.

Will IBMs quantum computing venture follow a similar path? Only time will tell. However, IBM retains a highly profitable core business while being one of the most powerful research and development (R&D) teams in the world. Items such as IBMs quantum computing arm serve as upside options that could suddenly cause IBM stock to move to a higher valuation.

Source: NYCStock / Shutterstock.com

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) used to be known for missing several key technological trends, such as smartphones. However, its gotten much better about leading new technological trends. The firms early and powerful move into cloud services, with Azure, has been exceptionally successful. And now, Azure itself is giving Microsoft into a beachhead into quantum computing.

Microsoft is building a quantum ecosystem within Azure. Both through Microsofts own internal products and with its partners, Microsoft offers quantum computing solutions to its customers.

This is easier for customers, since they can get access to quantum computing solutions through their existing cloud offering instead of having to get a physical quantum computer. It also creates immense lock-in for Azure in an increasing competitive cloud computing industry.

Source: Sundry Photography / Shutterstock.com

Another thing we can be sure of is that existing technology leaders wont take innovation lying down. Taiwans government, to that end, announced a $290 million investment plan in 2021 for developing future quantum computing innovations.

If quantum computing really takes off, it would threaten Taiwan Semiconductors (NYSE:TSM) monopolistic position in current semiconductor manufacturing. So, Taiwan as a nation, and TSM in particular, are understandably investing to keep up with potential competition. It remains to be seen exactly what TSMs long-term approach to quantum computing will be. But its a dominant player in computing technology today and is investing in quantum.

Source: Shutterstock

For the final two picks, we have pure-play quantum computing stocks. It should be noted from the top that these two are far riskier than anything else on the list. These companies have failed to generate meaningful revenues or fully proven out their business models as of yet.

Rigetti (NASDAQ:RGTI), in particular, is one of the two primary special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) that went to market recently related to quantum computing. Rigetti claims to have some of the most powerful quantum computing technology out there. And it has impressive research partnerships with organizations such as the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Energy.

Rigetti only generated $8 million in revenues in 2021, and is expected to bring in $13 million this year. The company is still years shy of reaching a tipping point where it generates substantial commercial demand. However, for pure-play quantum computing stocks, Rigetti is one to watch.

Source: Amin Van / Shutterstock.com

This is by far the most controversial pick on this list. IonQ (NYSE:IONQ) claims to have the worlds most powerful quantum computer. Short seller firm Scorpion Capital, however, called the company a brazen scamin an exhaustive 183-page report. For investors that arent quantum physicists, it can be hard to evaluate the merits of the companys technology and the ensuing short seller claims.

What we do know is that IonQ has generated scant revenues so far. Even by its own admission, theres a long path ahead of it before it develops enough qubits to generate substantial commercial demand and finally reach profitability. However, its also been easy for short sellers to go after SPACs with unproven business models. Many of Scorpions points about the companys current financials could be correct without invalidating the companys entire technology.

In any case, IONQ stock remains the single largest holding in the Defiance Quantum ETF (NYSEARCA:QTUM) as of the time of writing, despite the controversy. For investors willing to speculate on a high-risk, high-reward quantum computing stock, IONQ stock is certainly cheaper now than it was a year ago.

On the date of publication, Ian Bezek held a LONG position in IBM stock. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.

Ian Bezek has written more than 1,000 articles for InvestorPlace.com and Seeking Alpha. He also worked as a Junior Analyst for Kerrisdale Capital, a $300 million New York City-based hedge fund. You can reach him on Twitter at @irbezek.

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The Next Big Thing in Tech? 7 Quantum Computing Stocks to Bet On. - InvestorPlace