{"id":39923,"date":"2023-11-16T09:05:30","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T09:05:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=39923"},"modified":"2024-09-04T20:25:20","modified_gmt":"2024-09-04T19:25:20","slug":"the-quantum-computing-race-will-be-won-on-scalable-hardware","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/the-quantum-computing-race-will-be-won-on-scalable-hardware\/39923\/","title":{"rendered":"The quantum computing race will be won on scalable hardware"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the era of quantum advantage draws closer, it\u2019s time to shift focus toward scalable, affordable, and productised quantum computers.<\/h2>\n

Achieving quantum advantage is not the be-all and end-all of quantum computing. As the era of quantum advantage draws closer, with more powerful quantum computing machines, the focus of the quantum ecosystem must shift from scientific experiments and demonstrations toward scalability.<\/p>\n

Researchers around the world are tackling the scale-up of quantum computing from different angles, but Finland-based quantum startup SemiQon<\/a> believes the next era of quantum computing will be achieved through semiconductor-based quantum hardware.<\/p>\n

Building the million-qubit era<\/h3>\n

Quantum is coming, and across industries huge expectations are directed at its eventual applications \u2013 and for a good reason. In the years and decades to come, quantum computing is expected to solve increasingly complex real-world problems through an array of applications. As researchers, ecosystems, and companies around the globe lay out their ambitious visions for quantum computing, it is also necessary to be open about the problems that need to be solved to unleash the full potential of quantum.<\/p>\n

After decades of research and breakthroughs, realising the potential of quantum is no longer a scientific question. Dr Himadri Majumdar, CEO and co-founder of SemiQon, instead believes the priority is building quantum hardware that responds to the challenges currently slowing down the development of quantum computers globally \u2013 sustainability, scalability, and affordability.<\/p>\n

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SemiQon co-founders<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tackling challenges with scalability is the primary focus of SemiQon\u2019s technology<\/a>. First-generation quantum computers have achieved impressive feats, solving computationally demanding but highly specific problems related to pharmaceuticals, logistics and materials design.<\/p>\n

However, those problems have, in fact, been solved \u2013 and in some cases, to an even greater complexity \u2013 by classical computers. To fully demonstrate the capability of quantum computers that outpaces classical computers, the so-called quantum advantage has to be reached. Big, demonstrator-level quantum computers might be able to reach this goal in the near future, but that is far from being the finish line for quantum.<\/p>\n

We are already seeing the progression all around the globe. Following the first demonstration of successful operation of quantum computing, the next milestone is to integrate quantum computers with high-performance computing (HPC) environments, better known as supercomputers.<\/p>\n

Such integration will enable the first demonstration of the benefits of quantum computing when coupled with classical computing. This will be followed by further advancement in quantum computing capacity, eventually leading to the era of scalability of quantum computers.<\/p>\n

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Hardware drives the scale-up of quantum computing<\/h3>\n

As research into different aspects of quantum technologies continues, the quantum ecosystem as a whole could benefit from starting to shift its focus toward what Dr Majumdar refers to as the \u2018million-qubit era.\u2019<\/p>\n

Instead of viewing developments in quantum technologies primarily as scientific experiments, the next stages of quantum should be approached as difficult \u2013 but perfectly solvable \u2013 engineering challenges. The real challenge with the \u2018quantum computer 2.0\u2019 is no longer demonstrating that something can be done, but that it can be done in a sustainable, scalable, and affordable manner.<\/p>\n

All forms of computation depend on two elements \u2013 hardware and software. It has been the prevailing thought within the classical computing industry, that business value lies more on the software than the hardware components. That is accurate if we look at the business volume and number of companies generated by software compared to hardware.<\/p>\n

However, the strategic value of hardware has been overlooked for too long \u2013 a lesson that many have learned the hard way with the chip shortage over the last few years.<\/p>\n

To avoid further dependence on outside supply of chips and risk finding themselves in a vulnerable position down the line, policy makers on both sides of the Atlantic have been hard at work drafting chips initiatives to support local semiconducting industries.<\/p>\n

In Europe, the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) has been established following the signing of the Chips Act in September 2023. Securing money and efforts is important, but when it comes to classical chips, western nations are stuck playing catch-up with the Far East.<\/p>\n

The opposite is true for quantum chips. With the right policies and investment, Europe and the US can maintain their leading position in quantum components globally, and make sure to position themselves favorably in the race where success will be largely dictated by scalable qubits. Systematic investment in infrastructure supporting the scaling of quantum technologies, from lab to pilot to high volume foundry, would go a long way to maintain European and US leadership.<\/p>\n

The convenient marriage of semiconductors and quantum<\/h3>\n

A big part of overcoming the current limits of quantum hardware concerns the materials used to build quantum chips.<\/p>\n

Both superconductors and semiconductors come with their own set of challenges. SemiQon\u2019s team is confident that its silicon-based technology will make it possible to fabricate quantum processors in a way that supports scaling up manufacturing efficiently, while also lowering costs. This solution builds on the technological development and know-how of semiconductors, and benefits from existing infrastructure and industry.<\/p>\n

The silicon quantum chips will also enable the quantum computer to operate at warmer temperatures \u2013 thus requiring only a fraction of the energy needed for alternative solutions.<\/p>\n

SemiQon\u2019s technology in brief<\/h3>\n