Archive for the ‘Quantum Computer’ Category

‘Quantum Poetics’ marries quantum physics and poetry Old Gold & Black – Old Gold & Black

Amy Catanzano is an associate professor of English in creative writing and the poet-in-residence at Wake Forest. On Wednesday, Jan. 31, she streamed her talk titled Quantum Poetics: On Physics and Poetry, which emerged from her upcoming book, The Imaginary Present: Essays in Quantum Poetics. She then answered questions during a live, virtual Q&A session.

Catanzanos work, which she broadly refers to as quantum poetics, combines quantum physics the study of matter at the sub-atomic level with poetry to produce a variety of writing from poetry to essay to memoir. She is particularly interested in the potential that theoretical physics creates for new modes of artistic expression.

While Catanzano is primarily a writer and professor of creative writing, she has dedicated much of her life to studying and researching physics. Such scientific inquiry has led her to collaborate with renowned scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland, the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile and the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics in New York. She is especially excited by the cutting-edge fields of quantum computing, high-energy particle physics and astrophysics.

The talk began with a meditation on time, which did well to set the stage for what was to follow. Catanzano declared that one doesnt need to be a poet or a scientist to get the sense that time is not what it appears to be, but that poetry and physics are quite alike in their ability to challenge normative temporality. While breakthroughs in physics like Albert Einsteins theory of relativity have effectively demonstrated the subjectivity of time, a poem can make a reader feel that instability.

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Ordinary conceptions of time must be revised in order to account for the discoveries that scientists about the universe have made, Catanzano said. Poetry is an effective tool for such revision.

Physics and poetry are often understood as disparate fields on polar ends of the sciences-humanities spectrum, but Catanzanos work illustrates the complementary nature of the two. She spoke about how she has come to understand physics as a philosophical and cultural discourse one that is constantly reinventing and challenging itself.

One doesnt need to be a poet or a scientist to get the sense that time is not what it appears to be.

Amy Catanzano

Quantum poetics [posits] that quantum theory is encoded in and by artistic practice, she said.

The influence goes both ways.

Quantum poetics is rooted in a rich tradition of artists responding to scientific paradigm shifts around them. Yet Catanzano believes that quantum poetics departs from some of the conventions of this tradition by heading off the grid altogether. Quantum poetics does not simply allude to scientific research; the two are completely intertwined. One such instance is Catanzanos poem World Lines, a quantum supercomputer poem.

World Lines contains lines of poetry that criss-cross over top of one another. At these intersections, the lines share a word where ordinarily a quantum knot would be produced in a topological quantum computer. The reader can read the poem in a linear or choose a branch of poetry to follow when they get to a shared word.

Catanzano knew that there were multiple poems within the poem existing in a state of quantum superposition but she did not know how many. That was until she collaborated with Michael Taylor, a computer scientist who created an AI that, thus far, has found over a thousand distinct poems within World Lines.

One might wonder what poetry can do for a robust field like physics how can poems impact a scientific discipline built on real-world experiments and mathematical proofs? According to Catanzano, poetry is especially poised to respond to a question that science on its own has been unable to answer. That question is: what does quantum physics mean?

Poetry, with its endless freedom, gives us the necessary outlet to grapple with the ramifications of quantum physics as well as imagine the new doors it can open for us. Via poetry, written and spoken words take on the role of physical manifestations of possibility in potentia, the imagination made material.

After the talk concluded, Catanzano pivoted to answering live questions from the comments section of the video. The audiences reception was ecstatically positive as dozens of questions poured in not due to confusion but curiosity. Quantum physics and avante-garde poetry are liable to be inaccessible to the general public, but Catanzanos talk was easy to follow without sacrificing much of its complexity and nuance.

If the questions directed toward Catanzano after her talk can confirm anything, it is that many viewers walked away having learned a great deal, but still they were hungry to discover even more.

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Multiverse Computing and Single Quantum Launch Materials Science Research Contract with German Aerospace Center – AZoM

Multiverse Computing, a global leader in value-based quantum computing solutions, andSingle Quantum, the global market leader in superconducting nanowire single photon detectors, today announcedan industrial materials science research and development project under a USD $1.4 million contract with the German Aerospace Centers DLR Quantum Computing Initiative (DLR QCI).

DLR researchers expect this work toenable quantum applications that outperform classical methodsin the short- to mid-term on quantum hardware currently under development. The two quantum companies won funding through a competitive bidding process to use quantum simulation to improve the transmission capabilities of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors. These detectors are essential for quantum communications devices and more accurate than other types of photon detectors.

There are multiple additional use cases for single photon detectors ranging from quantum computing to deep-space communication and bio-imaging. DLR's exploration of these use cases aims to achieve quantum applications that outperform classical methods across transport, energy and security.

Multiverse Computing and Single Quantum will use quantum simulation to improve the superconducting film that allows the hardware to detect photons.

Materials simulation is a huge research area where we know classical computing has significant limitations, said Enrique Lizaso-Olmos, co-founder and CEO of Multiverse Computing. Finding new methods to efficiently simulate materials using quantum computing has great potential, and it is a problem worth investing in the long term due to its high value.

Multiverses quantum algorithm experts will work with hardware engineers at Single Quantum to create an algorithm specifically designed for the DLRQCIsquantum computers. Single Quantum specializes in fast and highly sensitive light sensors based on a superconducting nanowire single photon architecture. The company was among the first to manufacture and commercialize superconducting nanowire single photon detectors.

Our technology combines unparalleled detection efficiency and time resolution to make our superconducting detectors the ideal choice for many use cases, including quantum communication and cryptography, said Andreas Fognini, Chief Technology Officer at Single Quantum. We expect this work with Multiverse Computing and DLR to refine these capabilities even further.

Other teams within the larger DLRQCI initiative will be able to use the knowledge from this project to simulate other materials or conduct additional quantum simulations, according to the researchers.

Launched in 2021, the objective of the DLR QCI is to develop and expand the agencys quantum competencies and strengthen the quantum computing ecosystem. The Algorithms for Quantum Computer Development in Hardware-Software Codesign (ALQU) is one of many application projects within the DLR QCI. The materials science research led by Multiverse and Single Quantum will support two goals in the ALQUs work: the efficient compilation of circuits on quantum hardware and the development of quantum algorithms for industrial use. Winning this project strengthens Multiverse Computings position in the countrys quantum computing ecosystem and builds on its previous work with other major German companies, including Bosch, ZF, BASF and others.

The DLR Institute of Software Technology supports cutting-edge research at the German Aerospace Center and offers its expertise for projects in all of DLR's subject areas: aerospace, energy, transport and security. The quantum initiative commissions industrial companies to develop quantum computers and the necessary supporting technologies.

Source:https://multiversecomputing.com/

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Multiverse Computing and Single Quantum Launch Materials Science Research Contract with German Aerospace Center - AZoM

Quantum Computing and AI: Processing Power Isn’t Everything – Medium

Photo by Fractal Hassan on Unsplash

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has advanced at a breakneck pace. AI systems have beaten the worlds best players at complex games like chess, Go, and poker. Natural language processing algorithms can now hold remarkably human-like conversations. Computer vision technologies enable self-driving cars and other robotic automation.

With AI progressing so rapidly, there is a palpable sense that we are approaching and perhaps will soon surpass human-level artificial general intelligence (AGI).

Compounding this excitement around emerging AI capabilities is the long-simmering potential of quantum computing. Quantum computers promise almost inconceivable processing power stemming from uniquely quantum mechanical phenomena. As such, there is understandable hype around quantum computing acceleration ushering in an era of unbelievable machine intelligence.

However, this perspective assumes computational muscle alone can unlock artificial superintelligence. The reality is more nuanced. While quantum computing will undoubtedly assist AI progress in certain regards, raw processing power is not enough to achieve the flexible, general, and creative intelligence we associate with human minds.

Developing advanced algorithms and aggregation of quality data are equally, if not more, important. And there are open questions around how we integrate noisy, error-prone quantum computers with machine learning workloads.

Quantum computing offers tremendous potential for AI, but it is not a panacea to ignite an imminent computing revolution that suddenly cracks open artificial general intelligence.

For at least the past half-century, the processing capability of classical computers has steadily doubled approximately every two years. This exponential growth rate, known as Moore's Law, has allowed modern computers to perform incredible numbers of calculations per second and hold astounding amounts of memory.

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2024: The year quantum moves past its hype? – VentureBeat

Viewers of the popular 60 Minutes television magazine may have been surprised to see a feature in December on the state of quantum computing, typically an unapproachable, wonky topic for mainstream audiences. But, given the hype and ensuing adoption level with all things AI, perhaps this is a sign that an even more sophisticated and potentially life-changing technology will have its moment next.

More significant than the recent flurry of media attention around this esoteric technology (driven in part by some notable experiments announced by key players, large and small) is the imminent re-authorization by the U.S. Congress of the bi-partisan supported National Quantum Initiative. If passed as expected, it will earmark more than $3 billion in funds for quantum research over the next five years.

There is also newfound urgency in seeing results sooner: Alan McQuinn, a staff member on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, recently emphasized that the initiative will focus on investing in near-term quantum sciences applications.

We wanted to start moving towards use cases, moving towards applications, to try and show proof of need for this technology so that it can be deployed across economic sectors, he said.

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Similar initiatives by UK, Canadian and EU government entities are fueling more short-term progress, motivated at least in part by investment and developments in China. Indeed, staying ahead in quantum may in fact be a more strategic priority than the AI arms race.

Quantum computing enthusiasts have rightly been accused of overhyping the technologys near-term impacts. Its potential to solve macro challenges in science, health, energy, environment and finance drove a frenzy of anticipation.

Expectations were, inevitably, set too high and for results to happen too soon.

In 2019, Google claimed quantum supremacy, where a quantum device outperformed a classical one. While the application was not practically useful, a wave of quantum start-ups and big funding rounds emerged in the public and private markets. Big claims in impossible timeframes were subsequently made.

By 2022, this irrational exuberance had cooled. The financial markets retracted, and valuations fell as the challenge of building a useful quantum computer was understood. Talk of a quantum winter emerged as frustrated investors, looking for moonshot wins, hinted at pulling back if demonstrable and practical progress could not be seen.

But 2024 will be when we see steady progress and tangible goals, replacing years of boom-or-bust thinking.

Let me summarize that challenge in one word: Errors.

A typical quantum computer is made up of three layers: quantum algorithms, the quantum error correction stack and quantum bits (qubits).

Qubits are prone to errors, which quickly overwhelm their calculations. By developing quantum algorithms and a set of techniques called quantum error correction (QEC) then we can reduce errors to the point where we can unlock world-changing applications.

This will not happen overnight. It wont happen next year. When will it happen? Historically, quantum experts have always said were about 10 years away from that goal.

But the countdown has already begun. With the development of next-generation quantum algorithms and error correction coupled with ongoing results at the qubit level, I predict this timescale is closer to 7 to 8 years.

Progress in QEC dominated in 2023 with several landmark papers and announcements. A year ago, Google released a code to correct errors, and, more recently, quantum company Quera has produced the largest number of error-free qubits, while IBMs new roadmap has a core focus on error correction.

As we enter 2024, long-term optimism is higher than ever, with quantum computing predicted to unlock $1.3 trillion by 2035 across multiple industries. Waves of investment also arrived towards the end of 2023 for strong quantum companies.

These investments were predominantly led by governments using a testbed business model. Testbeds allow experts to test and benchmark the many different components required to build a useful quantum computer, breaking the challenge into short-term, digestible chunks.

In the long-term, the UK has arguably unveiled the most ambitious plans to date with a clear target to create a TeraQuop quantum computer (or one capable of a trillion error-free operations) by 2035. A TeraQuop is significant, as it truly takes us beyond supercomputing.

By contrast, todays quantum computers are capable of a just few hundred error-free operations.

This leap may sound like a return to the irrational exuberance of previous years. But there are many tangible reasons to believe.

The quantum computing industry is now connecting these short-term testbeds with long-term moonshots (such as the TeraQuop) as it starts to aim for middle-term, incremental (but just as ambitious) goals.

As we approach this threshold, well start to more intrinsically understand errors and fix them. We can start to model simple molecules and systems, developing more powerful quantum algorithms. Then, we can work on more interesting (and impactful) applications with each new generation/testbed of quantum computer.

What will those applications be? We dont know. And thats OK.

Let me take you further back in time when one of the worlds early digital computers was developed: EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator). Developed in the Cambridge University Mathematical Laboratory, EDSAC was the first practical general purpose stored program electronic computer. The winners of three Nobel Prizes in Chemistry (1962), Medicine (1963) and Physics (1974) all acknowledged the role it played in their research.

These applications were unimaginable when EDSAC was first run in 1949.

Were now at the same point in quantum computing.

We dont know exactly what applications a useful quantum computer will unlock. But I predict there will be many, multidisciplinary Nobel Prize nods to come for the teams that develop the worlds first useful quantum computer.

But first we need to develop better quantum algorithms and QEC techniques. Then, we will need fewer qubits to run the same quantum calculations and we can unlock useful quantum computing, sooner.

As progress and pace continues to accelerate, 2024 will be the year when the conversation around quantum applications has real substance as we follow tangible goals, commit to realistic ambitions and unlock real results.

The over-hype is over, and the clock is ticking.

Steve Brierley is CEO and founder of quantum computing company Riverlane.

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2024: The year quantum moves past its hype? - VentureBeat

3 Once-in-a-Lifetime Quantum Computing Stocks With Unprecedented Surge Potential – InvestorPlace

Quantum computing is a new field of computing which utilizes quantum mechanics to produce machines that can handle far more calculations than traditional computers.

The goal of quantum computing is to produce qubits, which are a measure of computing capacity. So far, the industry hasnt managed to sustainably achieve enough qubits to supplant other types of supercomputers.

But with analysts suggesting that the industry could reach a viable qubit computing level within the next few years, quantum computing stocks could be set for exponential gains over the next five to ten years. Here are three of the leaders in this emerging industry.

When thinking of pureplay quantum computing stocks, IonQ (NYSE:IONQ) should be the first name that comes to mind.

IonQ has been first-to-market in a number of ways. It has tremendous partnerships, it is available on leading cloud computing platforms and it has some of the best minds and intellectual property in the industry.

And while quantum computing is still at the very beginning of monetization, IonQ has started to generate appreciable commercial revenues. In its Q3 results, the companys $6.1 million of revenues rose 121% year-over-year and exceeded the high end of prior guidance. The company boosted its full-year guidance and bookings outlook once again. Additionally, IonQ reached $100 million in cumulative product bookings in the first three years of its commercial phase of operations.

Skeptics like to criticize quantum computing as a science project that hasnt yet achieved notable real-world results. Thats certainly been true to some extent in the past. However, IonQ is making admirable progress in turning quantum computing from a dream into a reality. It also has a strong balance sheet with plenty of cash to fund its operations while it scales toward profitability.

Source: Laborant / Shutterstock.com

Investors often tend to think of International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) as a stodgy consulting and IT services company. And that makes up a huge piece of the companys operations, to be certain.

However, IBM has always prided itself on innovation, long leading the world in the number of patents that its researchers obtain. Its commitment to R&D has paid off over the years, and thats become increasingly apparent in recent months.

IBM stock has rocketed higher over the past quarter thanks to significant acceleration in the firms cloud and artificial intelligence operations. And investors shouldnt sleep on IBMs quantum division either.

In fact, IBM has the worlds largest quantum computing fleet in the world with its Qiskit Runtime system. Hundreds of institutions including leading research universities, Fortune 500 companies and research labs have joined IBMs Quantum Network. It offers access to 100+ qubit devices. Over time, IBM believes its quantum computing solutions should aid companies in key fields such as cybersecurity while layering nicely onto IBMs existing cloud and AI solutions.

Source: josefkubes / Shutterstock.com

Honeywell (NYSE:HON) is a leading industrial company. Its roots go back to Butz-Thermo Electric Regulator, a company which developed the first predecessor to the modern thermostat. Over the decades, Honeywell has created all sorts of inventions including barcodes, unleaded gasoline, biodegradable detergents and aviation autopilots.

Given that context, it shouldnt be all that surprising that Honeywell continues to come up with new innovations outside of its present core industrial business. Such as quantum computing.

Honeywell believes that quantum computing will be integral for managing supply chains and industrial automation. Given the high number of constantly changing variables in managing these logistical puzzles, a next-gen quantum computer could potentially be orders of magnitude more efficient in designing and overseeing these systems.

To this point, Honeywell helped generate novel discoveries in quantum computing, and it has spun that unit out into a separate firm, Quantinuum, which is pursuing solutions in cybersecurity, drug discovery, AI, and finance among other fields. Honeywell retains a majority shareholding in Quantinuum, and the firm just raised funds at a $5 billion valuation in January.

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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