Looking to the future of quantum cloud computing – Siliconrepublic.com – Siliconrepublic.com
Trinity College Dublins Dan Kilper and University of Arizonas Saikat Guha discuss the quantum cloud and how it could be achieved.
Quantum computing has been receiving a lot of attention in recent years as several web-scale providers race towards so-called quantum advantage the point at which a quantum computer is able to exceed the computing abilities of classical computing.
Large public sector investments worldwide have fuelled research activity within the academic community. The first claim of quantum advantage emerged in 2019 when Google, NASA and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) demonstrated a computation that the quantum computer completed in 200 seconds and that the ORNL supercomputer verified up to the point of quantum advantage, estimated to require 10,000 years to complete to the end.
Roadmaps that take quantum computers even further into this regime are advancing steadily. IBM has made quantum computers available for online access for many years now and recently Amazon and Microsoft started cloud services to provide access for users to several different quantum computing platforms. So, what comes next?
The step beyond access to a single quantum computer is access to a network of quantum computers. We are starting to see this emerge from the web or cloud-based quantum computers offered by cloud providers effectively quantum computing as a service, sometimes referred to as cloud-based quantum computing.
This consists of quantum computers connected by classical networks and exchanging classical information in the form of bits, or digital ones and zeros. When quantum computers are connected in this way, they each can perform separate quantum computations and return the classical results that the user is looking for.
It turns out that with quantum computers, there are other possibilities. Quantum computers perform operations on quantum bits, or qubits. It is possible for two quantum computers to exchange information in the form of qubits instead of classical bits. We refer to networks that transport qubits as quantum networks. If we can connect two or more quantum computers over a quantum network, then they will be able to combine their computations such that they might behave as a single larger quantum computer.
Quantum computing distributed over quantum networks thus has the potential to significantly enhance the computing power of quantum computers. In fact, if we had quantum networks today, many believe that we could immediately build large quantum computers far into the advantage regime simply by connecting many instances of todays quantum computers over a quantum network. With quantum networks built, and interconnected at various scales, we could build a quantum internet. And at the heart of this quantum internet, one would expect to find quantum computing clouds.
At present, scientists and engineers are still working on understanding how to construct such a quantum computing cloud. The key to quantum computing power is the number of qubits in the computer. These are typically micro-circuits or ions kept at cryogenic temperatures, near minus 273 degrees Celsius.
While these machines have been growing steadily in size, it is expected that they will eventually reach a practical size limit and therefore further computing power is likely to come from network connections across quantum computers within the data centre, very much like todays current classical computing data centres. Instead of racks of servers, one would expect rows of cryostats.
Quantum computing distributed over quantum networks has the potential to significantly enhance the computing power of quantum computers
Once we start imagining a quantum internet, we quickly realise that there are many software structures that we use in the classical internet that might need some type of analogue in the quantum internet.
Starting with the computers, we will need quantum operating systems and computing languages. This is complicated by the fact that quantum computers are still limited in size and not engineered to run operating systems and programming the way that we do in classical computers. Nevertheless, based on our understanding of how a quantum computer works, researchers have developed operating systems and programming languages that might be used once a quantum computer of sufficient power and functionality is able to run them.
Cloud computing and networking rely on other software technologies such as hypervisors, which manage how a computer is divided up into several virtual machines, and routing protocols to send data over the network. In fact, research is underway to develop each of these for the quantum internet. With quantum computer operating systems still under development, it is difficult to develop a hypervisor to run multiple operating systems on the same quantum computer as a classical hypervisor would.
By understanding the physical architecture of quantum computers, however, one can start to imagine how it might be organised to support different subsets of qubits to effectively run as separate quantum computers, potentially using different physical qubit technologies and employing different sub-architectures, within a single machine.
One important difference between quantum and classical computers and networks is that quantum computers can make use of classical computers to perform many of their functions. In fact, a quantum computer in itself is a tremendous feat of classical system engineering with many complex controls to set up and operate the quantum computations. This is a very different starting point from classical computers.
The same can be said for quantum networks, which have the classical internet to provide control functions to manage the network operations. It is likely that we will rely on classical computers and networks to operate their quantum analogues for some time. Just as a computer motherboard has many other types of electronics other than the microprocessor chip, it is likely that quantum computers will continue to rely on classical processors to do much of the mundane work behind their operation.
With the advent of the quantum internet, it is presumable that a quantum-signalling-equipped control plane might be able to support certain quantum network functions even more efficiently.
When talking about quantum computers and networks, scientists often refer to fault-tolerant operations. Fault tolerance is a particularly important step toward realising quantum cloud computing. Without fault tolerance, quantum operations are essentially single-shot computations that are initialised and then run to a stopping point that is limited by the accumulation of errors due to quantum memory lifetimes expiring as well as the noise that enters the system with each step in the computation.
Fault tolerance would allow for quantum operations to continue indefinitely with each result of a computation feeding the next. This is essential, for example, to run a computer operating system.
In the case of networks, loss and noise limit the distance that qubits can be transported on the order of 100km today. Fault tolerance through operations such as quantum error correction would allow for quantum networks to extend around the world. This is quite difficult for quantum networks because, unlike classical networks, quantum signals cannot be amplified.
We use amplifiers everywhere in classical networks to boost signals that are reduced due to losses, for example, from traveling down an optical fibre. If we boost a qubit signal with an optical amplifier, we would destroy its quantum properties. Instead, we need to build quantum repeaters to overcome signal losses and noise.
Together we have our sights set on realising the networks that will make up the quantum internet
If we can connect two fault-tolerant quantum computers at a distance that is less than the loss limits for the qubits, then the quantum error correction capabilities in the computers can in principle recover the quantum signal. If we build a chain of such quantum computers each passing quantum information to the next, then we can achieve the fault-tolerant quantum network that we need. This chain of computers linking together is reminiscent of the early classical internet when computers were used to route packets through the network. Today we use packet routers instead.
If you look under the hood of a packet router, it is composed of many powerful microprocessors that have replaced the computer routers and are much more efficient at the specific routing tasks involved. Thus, one might imagine a quantum analogue to the packet router, which would be a small purpose-built quantum computer designed for recovering and transmitting qubits through the network. These are what we refer to today as quantum repeaters, and with these quantum repeaters we could build a global quantum internet.
Currently there is much work underway to realise a fault-tolerant quantum repeater. Recently a team in the NSF Center for Quantum Networks (CQN)achieved an important milestone in that they were able to use a quantum memory to transmit a qubit beyond its usual loss limit. This is a building block for a quantum repeater. The SFI Connect Centre in Ireland is also working on classical network control systems that can be used to operate a network of such repeaters.
Together we have our sights set on realising the networks that will make up the quantum internet.
By Dan Kilper and Saikat Guha
Dan Kilper is professor of future communication networks at Trinity College Dublin and director of the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Connect research centre.
Saikat Guha is director of the NSF-ERC Center for Quantum Networks and professor of optical sciences, electrical and computer engineering, and applied mathematics at the University of Arizona.
See the original post here:
Looking to the future of quantum cloud computing - Siliconrepublic.com - Siliconrepublic.com
- Quantum Computing to Raise $750 Million in Private Placement. The Stock Falls. - Barron's - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- If You Own Quantum Computing Stocks IonQ, Rigetti, or D-Wave, the Time to Be Fearful When Others Are Greedy Has Arrived - Yahoo Finance - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Physics Nobel: Three win prize for paving way for very powerful computers - BBC - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- 3 Genius Ways to Invest in Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) - The Motley Fool - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Prediction: This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Will Be the Nvidia of Quantum Computing by 2035 - Yahoo Finance - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- D-Wave and the University of Southern California Bring Quantum Computing to LA Tech Week - Business Wire - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- If You Own Quantum Computing Stocks IonQ, Rigetti, or D-Wave, the Time to Be Fearful When Others Are Greedy Has Arrived - The Motley Fool - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- 3 Quantum Computing Stocks that Could Be The Next Nvidia - 24/7 Wall St. - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Why Quantum Computing Threat Will Impact Absolutely Everyone In Security: Experts - CRN Magazine - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- What Are Memristors And Why Do They Matter For Quantum Computing? - The Quantum Insider - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing As a Service Enables Access to Programmable Bits for Utility Computing Applications - Quantum Zeitgeist - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- What Is One of the Best Quantum Computing Stocks for Growth Investors? - The Motley Fool - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing Taps Investors for $750 million in Oversubscribed Deal - Yahoo Finance - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing Inc. Announces $750 Million Oversubscribed Private Placement of Common Stock Priced at the Market Under Nasdaq Rules - Yahoo Finance - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Quantum Leap or Speculative Bubble? Wall Street Bets Big on the Future of Computing - FinancialContent - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Analysts Think This Quantum Computing Stock Can Gain 80%. Should You Buy It Here? - Yahoo Finance - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- IonQ and Rigetti stocks and the quantum computing bubble - Invezz - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- These Quantum Computing Stocks Could Be the Secret Winners of the AI Boom - The Motley Fool - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing (QUBT) Shares Are Sliding Today: Here's Why - Benzinga - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- This Little-Known Company Is Betting Big on Quantum Computing. Should You Buy Its Stock Here? - MSN - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Analysts Think This Quantum Computing Stock Can Gain 80%. Should You Buy It Here? - MSN - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- This Little-Known Company Is Betting Big on Quantum Computing. Should You Buy Its Stock Here? - Barchart.com - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Where Will Quantum Computing Inc. Be in 1 Year? - Yahoo Finance - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Quobly reinforces its leadership with a holistic governance model for silicon quantum computing - Quantum Zeitgeist - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing Stock Could Rise 67%, Says Analyst. Heres Why. - Barron's - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Where Will Quantum Computing Inc. Be in 1 Year? - The Motley Fool - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Analyzing the Sharp Rise of Quantum Computing Inc. - StocksToTrade - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- QUDORA closes a Strategic Partnership with Kensho to Accelerate Quantum Computing Commercialization in Taiwan - Quantum Zeitgeist - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing Inc. Stock (QUBT) Opinions on Recent Stock Offering and Analyst Upgrade - Quiver Quantitative - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- How Quantum Computings Biggest Challenges Are Being Solved With Accelerated Computing - NVIDIA Blog - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Here's the Quantum Computing Stock Wall Street Loves the Most (Hint: It's Not IonQ or Rigetti) - Yahoo Finance - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- D-Wave to Participate in Quantum Beach Conference, Highlighting Companys Leadership in the Commercialization of Quantum Computing - Yahoo Finance - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Quantum computing could have a major impact on investing - Business Insider - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Here's the Quantum Computing Stock Wall Street Loves the Most (Hint: It's Not IonQ or Rigetti) - The Motley Fool - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- IBM and Vanguard Team Up to Build Investment Portfolios with Quantum Computing - TipRanks - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Connecticut to Invest $10 Million in QuantumCT for Quantum Infrastructure and Testbed Deployment - Quantum Computing Report - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Odra Quantum Computing School Debuts in Poland with Intensive Training and Hackathon - HPCwire - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Billionaires Are Piling Into a Quantum Computing Stock That Gained Over 3,700% in the Past Year - The Motley Fool - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Introducing CHPX: The Case For AI Semiconductors And Quantum Computing - Seeking Alpha - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Quantum Computing Meets Aerospace: D-Wave CEO to Reveal Real-World Optimization Solutions at Quantum Beach - Stock Titan - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Combination of quantum and classical computing supports early diagnosis of breast cancer - Phys.org - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Quantum computing to unlock over $50 billion in value across key industries, says BCG - Economy Middle East - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Billionaires Are Piling Into a Quantum Computing Stock That Gained Over 3,700% in the Past Year - The Globe and Mail - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- How Quantum Computing Is Positioned to Drive Long-Term Growth - Yahoo Finance - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- QUDORA And Norma Inc. Partner to Advance Quantum Computing Adoption in South Korea - The Quantum Insider - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Construction kicks off at old steel mill in South Chicago, making way for massive quantum computing campus - Chicago Sun-Times - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- PsiQuantum breaks ground on quantum computing project in Chicago - Evertiq - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Harnessing the complementary power of AI and Quantum Computing - The Business Journals - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Quantum computing breakthrough has more red flags than a Peoples Liberation Army parade - fi-desk.com - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- PsiQuantum breaks ground on quantum computing park at former U.S. Steel South Works mill - nwitimes.com - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- This Quantum Computing Stock Could Be the Next Nvidia 1,000% Returns Ahead - 24/7 Wall St. - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Quantum computing in 2025: From sci-fi to real-world solutions - Computerworld - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Hanbat National University Study Finds Quantum Computing Can Make Homes Smarter And Greener - Mirage News - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Officials Break Ground on Quantum Computing Campus, Promise Economic Boom for South Chicago. Neighbors Want That in Writing - WTTW News - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Quantum Computing (QUBT) to Offer Over 26 Million Shares - GuruFocus - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- GPT-5 Serves as Research Assistant in Proving One of Quantum Computing Theory's Trickiest Theorems - The Quantum Insider - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Meet the Monster Quantum Computing Stock That Continues to Crush Nvidia, Oracle, and Palantir - The Motley Fool - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Quantum computing: unravelling the myths - cio.com - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- This Quantum Computing Stock Just Set Another Scientific Record. Should You Buy It Here? - Barchart.com - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing: The Quantum Play With Decades Ahead (NASDAQ:QUBT) - Seeking Alpha - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- 3 Incredible Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy Amid Falling Interest Rates - Yahoo Finance - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Hebrew University Researchers Achieve Record Room-Temperature Photon Collection from Diamond Defects - Quantum Computing Report - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Quantum Computing Accurately Models Atomic Nuclei with 0.1% Error on Trapped-Ion Machine - Quantum Zeitgeist - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Solana Co-Founder Says '50/50' Chance Quantum Computing Breaks Bitcoin By 2030, Calls For Quick Action - Yahoo Finance - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Comcast Partners with Classiq and D-Wave to Test Quantum-Powered Network Traffic Management - Quantum Computing Report - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- If quantum computing is answering unknowable questions, how do we know theyre right? - Technology Org - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- This Unexpected Company Just Achieved a Quantum Computing Milestone. Should You Buy Its Shares Here? - Barchart.com - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- IonQ Just Achieved a New Quantum Computing Milestone. Should You Buy IONQ Stock Here? - Barchart.com - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- 3 Incredible Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy Amid Falling Interest Rates - Nasdaq - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- WiMi's Lays out for the Research on Distributed Quantum Computing Based on Cross-Optical Network Links - Stock Titan - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Quantum computing labs: the next phase of science and tech space - Green Street News - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- HSBC demonstrates worlds first-known quantum-enabled algorithmic trading with IBM - HSBC - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- There's a new potential quantum computing king. How to invest in it with less risk using options - CNBC - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- HSBC's quantum computing breakthrough could be the future of Wall Street - Axios - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- QUDORA Closes a Strategic Partnership with Kensho to Accelerate Quantum Computing Commercialization in Taiwan - The Quantum Insider - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Why Quantum Computing Stock Stumbled This Week - The Motley Fool - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH): Valuation Insights After New Quantum Computing Partnership With SEEQC - simplywall.st - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- QUDORA and Kensho Partner to Accelerate Quantum Computing Commercialization in Taiwan - Quantum Computing Report - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Rigetti Computing Just Got a New Street-High Price Target. Should You Buy This Winning Quantum Computer Stock Here? - Yahoo Finance - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- StanChart Venture Arm Teams Up With Fujitsu on Quantum Computing - Bloomberg.com - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]