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Quantum Computing refers to a new form of computation based on quantum physics. It is expected to outperform classical computers in processing data and deriving optimisation from it. This technology can be widely adopted in the environmental sector, including enhancing the performance of energy sources and optimising urban planning.

The classical computers that we use in our daily lives are beneficial to the development of humanity. Yet, these are being slowly substituted by increasingly sophisticated machines.

One problem that classical computers are so bad at solving is optimisation. For instance, how many possible combinations are there to configure the seats of 10 people around a table? The answer is 10, equivalent to about 3.6 million combinations. When the number of seats keeps increasing, the number of possible combinations multiplies. In order to find the optimal arrangement of the seats, we first need a list of criteria that determines the optimal arrangement. However, the most energy- and time-consuming part is that the classical computers need to simulate each combination to generate a result. Depending on the scale of the data, it may take an extremely long time for classical computers to generate a result. Yet, quantum computers have the potential to solve problems in just minutes.

The basic unit of information for classical computers is called a binary digit also commonly known as bit. A bit is either 1 or 0. If there are two bits in a row, there will be four possible combinations 00, 01, 10, and 11. Therefore, classical computers need to simulate four times to generate a result.

On the other hand, the basic unit of information for quantum computers is called a qubit. A qubit is not either 1 or 0. Instead, it exists in a superposition of 1 and 0. In other words, it is simultaneously a 1 and a 0. Therefore, two qubits in a row are in a superposition of four states 00, 01, 10, and 11. Why is it revolutionary? Well, being in a superposition of all states suggests that, theoretically, quantum computers are only required to simulate once to generate a result. It only takes a few attempts to find the optimal arrangement of 10 seats within more than 3.6 million combinations.

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Quantum computing can be adopted in any field that requires optimisation; it can be about enhancing the performance of an energy source as well as about developing a smart city where the consumption of energy is minimised.

One example is the quadratic assignment problem (QAP), a mathematical problem that classical computers perform badly. Suppose there are n of facilities and n of locations, and you are required to configure one facility in each location to minimize the consumption of energy. Logically, if we need to transport frequently a lot of goods between two facilities, we would like to place them closer, and vice versa. A study has compared the performance of a quantum computer and a classical computer in solving the quadratic assignment problem by giving them data from 20 facilities and locations. As a result, the quantum computer generated an accurate answer in about 700 seconds whereas the classical computer failed to do so within the time limit of 12 hours. This study demonstrates the huge potential of quantum computing to optimize urban planning to minimize the consumption of energy.

In addition to its functions, quantum computing by itself is an environmentally friendly technology. According to a study jointly published by NASA, Google, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a quantum computer required only 0.002% of the energy consumed by a classical computer to perform the same task. The energy consumed by computers is enormous; not including the energy consumed by normal peoples computers and smartphones, data centres themselves already account for more than 1% of global electricity. If data can be stored in terms of qubits, we can save up a huge amount of energy.

The worlds most powerful quantum computer now is the Eagle, developed by the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) with a capacity of 127 qubits. However, scientists suggest that quantum computers are not commercially useful if their capacity does not reach at least 1,000 qubits. The slow development of quantum computers is mainly due to the technical difficulties in building them.

Scientists are required to manipulate particles as small as electrons in order to make qubits. Electrons need to be maintained in coherence, meaning the state in which the waves of the electrons can coherently interfere with each other. Yet, electrons are highly sensitive to the outside environment, like noise and temperature. Therefore, the manufacturing of qubits is usually done in an isolated environment from the outside world that runs at near absolute zero. Since the movement of atoms is at their lowest state of energy at absolute zero, keeping the electrons at such a temperature helps them to be stable and less affected by the outside environment. This is a way to mitigate the occurrence of decoherence. Yet, we still do not have a clear method to correct decoherence when it occurred because exterior interference may destroy the remaining coherence of other electrons.

Although quantum computing is still at the stage of development, we have already witnessed an enormous improvement in this field since its birth as a theory in the 1980s. Quantum Computing may be the next greatest advancement in humanity, from developing medicines for different incurable diseases by tracking the molecular data of human bodies that classical computers cannot do, to optimising the energy efficiency of cities, countries, and even the world.

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Originally posted here:
What is Quantum Computing and How Can it Help Mitigate Climate Change? - EARTH.ORG

By Carolyn Mathas

The UK touts itself as a world leader in quantum technologies and the truth is, they actually are. At the center of the UKs quantum effort is coming at the technology from a national position. The UK has been very strong where academia meets industry, and the country has a good track record of funding and then commercializing research. Much effort has lately been spent on training those that have little experience of computer engineering and recruiting mathematicians and computer scientists who are unfamiliar with quantum technologies, and the efforts are bearing fruit.

One organization, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the largest public funder of research and innovation in the UK, is armed with a budget of more than 8 billion. UKRI is comprised of seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UKhome to the industrial challenge on quantum.

The Quantum Technologies Challenge at UKRI was launched in 2018 under the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, receiving 173 million of funding. It provides catalytic grant funding for strategic collaborative projects and in doing so we encourage companies to work closely with universities and with each other. This community has, in three years, created new companies, launched new products and raised hundreds of millions of pounds of investment. Its success is linked to:

According to Roger McKinlay,Commercialising Quantum TechnologiesChallengeDirector for UKRI. On a global scale, were seeing enormous capital private capital flowing in. There is a vibrant community of start-up companies that are aiming to build the quantum computers of the future emerging predominantly from the UKs academic sector and driving excellent technical work. They are starting to raise significant investment on the back of robust and credible business models. Compared to a year ago, more money is flowing into quantum start-ups partly through collaborative research projects funded by government-backed programs, but also from increased interest among investment firms.

Increased interest has been driven in part by the mergerbetween UKs Cambridge Quantum and Honeywell Quantum Solutions that formed the worlds largest integrated quantum-computing company called Quantinuum. Other start-up firms report increased interest from venture capitalists, which together with government R&D grants is allowing even very young companies to expand rapidly.

When comparing the UKs efforts to the U.S., Youre in a slightly different situation in the US, because we dont have those tech giants. In the UK we must allow private investors the freedom to invest in what they need have to win, otherwise the UK wont be attractive. However, you also must publicly invest to keep a seat at the table so that the UK is getting sovereign control over what it needs to influence standards and to attract the right talent. This is a difficult game is and its a highly national-specific game, McKinlay explained.

While clearly the UKs efforts under UKRI have been successful, there is now uncertainty as to how it will be able to retain its research efforts and its researchers.

Theres a perfect storm brewing surrounding the funding of the UKs scientific community. Against the backdrop of the Prime Minister Boris Johnson stepping down and Science Minister George Freemans resignation, both posts are unfilled until September. Economically, the country is, along with the rest of the world, facing the inflation in 40 years, as energy costs continue to soar.

The major issue, of course, is access to the EUs flagship research program Horizon Europe. There was a deal between the UK and the EU on the table for the past two years. It enabled the UK to be an associate member of Horizon Europe. This gave UK researchers equal rights to those researchers in EU countries. Negotiations have faltered based on politics between the UK and the EU over a border implementation between the Republic of Ireland, a part of the EU and Northern Ireland, a part of the UK. Whats at stake if negotiations fail is daunting, and includes:

Based on the failed negotiations, the UK created a Plan B alternative to Horizon Europe, publishing details in apolicy paper, titledSupporting UK R&D and Collaborative Research Beyond European Programmes.

The UK, however, consistently maintains that it does not want to leave Horizon programs as it will clearly hamstring its research efforts in the near term. For example, it will take a lot of time and work to form new relationships and begin collaborating with such other countries as Australia, Japan, India, etc. as well as maintaining collaboration within the companies and countries in Europe.

What is likely, however, is that nothing will happen until a new Prime Minister is seated. At that point, the future of UKs Horizon access is likely to be announced, or the UKs international research program, Plan B will go forward.

Amid all of the uncertainty, the UK is still well-positioned to be a major player in the quantum industry. It has been doing over the past two years what several countries are just beginning. Its infrastructure to succeed is in place. Could the Horizon uncertainty cause a ripple in the UKs efforts? Of course. But its one that they will likely iron out quickly.

August 22, 2022

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Amid Challenges, the UK Government Continues to Fund Quantum Success - Quantum Computing Report

SAN SEBASTIN, SPAINAugust 16, 2022Multiverse Computing, a quantum computing solutions company, and IKERLAN, a center in technology transfer value to industry, have released the results of a joint research study that detected defects in manufactured car pieces via image classification by quantum artificial vision systems.

The research team developed a quantum-enhanced kernel method for classification on universal gate-based quantum computers as well as a quantum classification algorithm on a quantum annealer. Researchers found that both algorithms outperformed common classical methods in the identification of relevant images and the accurate classification of manufacturing defects.

To the best of our knowledge, this research represents the first implementation of quantum computer vision for a relevant problem in a manufacturing production line, said Ion Etxeberria, CEO of IKERLAN. This collaborative study confirmed the benefits of applying quantum methods to real-world industrial challenges. We strongly believe that quantum computing will play a key role in providing AI-based solutions to particularly complex scenarios.

Quantum machine learning will significantly disrupt the automotive and manufacturing industries, said Roman Orus, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Multiverse Computing. We are pleased to witness the value of early applications quantum computing today, such as quantum artificial vision, and excited to enter a new era of machine learning alongside forward-thinking partners like IKERLAN as quantum technology continues to advance.

The co-authored paper, titled Quantum artificial vision for defect detection in manufacturing, shows examples of the images analyzed by the quantum algorithms and further details the context, metrics and methods used by the researchers and can be downloadedhere.

Read more:
Multiverse Computing and IKERLAN Detect Defects in Manufacturing with Quantum Computing Vision - High-Performance Computing News Analysis | insideHPC...

A public-private agency that helps Canadian organizations shift to technologies that protect their encrypted data from being broken by quantum computers has been given a federal grant of $675,000 to help its work.

Public Safety Canada said Tuesday that the money going to Quantum-Safe Canada will support its work to prepare the countrys critical infrastructure for the quantum threat.

Organizations that hold encrypted data include governments, financial institutions, energy providers, research facilities, telcos, and manufacturers of sensitive products.

Quantum computers capable of breaking current encryption may be years away but organizations have to start preparing now, agency executive director Michele Mosca said in an interview.

And now means they should have their transition plans to quantum-safe solutions finished by next year. Thats because standardized quantum-resistant encryption algorithms are expected to be approved by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2024, so high-risk organizations can begin their transition. That will include selecting solution providers and testing their solutions.

Related content: NIST names first four quantum-resistant tools

The top critical infrastructures with a big IT footprint really should be wrapping up their preparation and assessment phase in a year or so and be starting the roadmapping by 2024. By that year, things will start kicking into gear on the solutions side. The standardized algorithms will be ready and there will be no need to delay, Mosca noted.

Countries not necessarily friendly to the West, including China and Russia, are pouring hundreds of millions into quantum computing research. No one is quite sure when they will be able to produce a machine that can crack current encryption.

Related content: Montreal firm delivers quantum computer

But, Mosca said, given the time it will take for organizations to migrate to quantum-resistant solutions, they cant wait until one is churning away.

You have to at least tentatively pick a date by which you want your systems ready. You have to look at your risk tolerance, and if its less than 10 per cent meaning a 10 per cent chance of broken encryption will cause the firm serious damage you really want to have migrated within 10 years.

Some people may not want even a one per cent chance, in which case they have to do something faster, he added.

Major governments are aiming to transition their critical applications by the early 2030s, he pointed out. That may be nine years away, but Mosca warned it will take a lot of work to upgrade systems.

Dont forget, he added, the Canadian, U.S. and other governments have already decided to migrate their systems to quantum-safe solutions.

Related content: Companies warned in 2019 to start working on quantum-resistant solutions

Quantum-Safe Canada is a not-for-profit whose governing board includes Sami Khoury, head of the federal governments Canadian Centre for Cyber Security; Robert Gordon, former executive director and currently strategic advisor of the Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange; Vanda Vicars, chief operating officer of the Global Risk Institute in Financial Services; and consultant Brian OHiggins, an expert in public-key infrastructure.

Mosca, who also sits on the board, is a co-founder of the Institute for Quantum Computing and a professor at the University of Waterloo, as well as a co-founder of a quantum software startup called EvolutionQ.

There are four steps to quantum readiness, he said: Understanding what the problem is, understanding what it means to the organization and its peers, planning and testing quantum-safe solutions and, finally, deploying the solutions.

The funds announced Tuesday are small compared to the monies available in the public and private sectors for fundamental quantum research, he said. But money for awareness is vital.

This particular grant will help the energy and finance sectors understand the early preparation steps we neglect and wish [later] we had done.

The funds will also be spent to help identify the skills needed for the transition and implementation stages so vendors, colleges and universities can train and expand the workforce.

Its not just a few computer science programmers writing code that will be needed, he stressed. Project planners, managers, system integrators, experts in risk assessments, business analysts and more will be needed. And it wouldnt necessarily mean years of training. It could mean adding an extra course to a college degree, he added.

The federal funds come from Ottawas Cyber Security Co-operation Program, which was launched in 2019 under the National Cyber Security Strategy. Through the program, $10.3 million in funding was allocated to support projects that contribute to positioning Canada as a global leader in cyber security.

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Canadian non-profit gets funding to raise awareness of quantum computing threat - IT World Canada

By firing a Fibonacci laser pulse at atoms inside a quantum computer, physicists have created a completely new, strange phase of matter that behaves as if it has two dimensions of time.

The new phase of matter, created by using lasers to rhythmically jiggle a strand of 10 ytterbium ions, enables scientists to store information in a far more error-protected way, thereby opening the path to quantum computers that can hold on to data for a long time without becoming garbled. The researchers outlined their findings in a paper published July 20 in the journal Nature (opens in new tab).

The inclusion of a theoretical "extra" time dimension "is a completely different way of thinking about phases of matter," lead author Philipp Dumitrescu, a researcher at the Flatiron Institute's Center for Computational Quantum Physics in New York City, said in a statement. "I've been working on these theory ideas for over five years, and seeing them come actually to be realized in experiments is exciting."

Related: Otherworldly 'time crystal' made inside Google quantum computer could change physics forever

The physicists didn't set out to create a phase with a theoretical extra time dimension, nor were they looking for a method to enable better quantum data storage. Instead, they were interested in creating a new phase of matter a new form in which matter can exist, beyond the standard solid, liquid, gas, plasma.

They set about building the new phase in the quantum computer company Quantinuum's H1 quantum processor, which consists of 10 ytterbium ions in a vacuum chamber that are precisely controlled by lasers in a device known as an ion trap.

Ordinary computers use bits, or 0s and 1s, to form the basis of all calculations. Quantum computers are designed to use qubits, which can also exist in a state of 0 or 1. But that's just about where the similarities end. Thanks to the bizarre laws of the quantum world, qubits can exist in a combination, or superposition, of both the 0 and 1 states until the moment they are measured, upon which they randomly collapse into either a 0 or a 1.

This strange behavior is the key to the power of quantum computing, as it allows qubits to link together through quantum entanglement, a process that Albert Einstein dubbed "spooky action at a distance." Entanglement couples two or more qubits to each other, connecting their properties so that any change in one particle will cause a change in the other, even if they are separated by vast distances. This gives quantum computers the ability to perform multiple calculations simultaneously, exponentially boosting their processing power over that of classical devices.

But the development of quantum computers is held back by a big flaw: Qubits don't just interact and get entangled with each other; because they cannot be perfectly isolated from the environment outside the quantum computer, they also interact with the outside environment, thus causing them to lose their quantum properties, and the information they carry, in a process called decoherence.

"Even if you keep all the atoms under tight control, they can lose their 'quantumness' by talking to their environment, heating up or interacting with things in ways you didn't plan," Dumitrescu said.

To get around these pesky decoherence effects and create a new, stable phase, the physicists looked to a special set of phases called topological phases. Quantum entanglement doesn't just enable quantum devices to encode information across the singular, static positions of qubits, but also to weave them into the dynamic motions and interactions of the entire material in the very shape, or topology, of the material's entangled states. This creates a "topological" qubit that encodes information in the shape formed by multiple parts rather than one part alone, making the phase much less likely to lose its information.

A key hallmark of moving from one phase to another is the breaking of physical symmetries the idea that the laws of physics are the same for an object at any point in time or space. As a liquid, the molecules in water follow the same physical laws at every point in space and in every direction. But if you cool water enough so that it transforms into ice, its molecules will pick regular points along a crystal structure, or lattice, to arrange themselves across. Suddenly, the water molecules have preferred points in space to occupy, and they leave the other points empty; the spatial symmetry of the water has been spontaneously broken.

Creating a new topological phase inside a quantum computer also relies on symmetry breaking, but with this new phase, the symmetry is not being broken across space, but time.

Related: World's 1st multinode quantum network is a breakthrough for the quantum internet

By giving each ion in the chain a periodic jolt with the lasers, the physicists wanted to break the continuous time symmetry of the ions at rest and impose their own time symmetry where the qubits remain the same across certain intervals in time that would create a rhythmic topological phase across the material.

But the experiment failed. Instead of inducing a topological phase that was immune to decoherence effects, the regular laser pulses amplified the noise from outside the system, destroying it less than 1.5 seconds after it was switched on.

After reconsidering the experiment, the researchers realized that to create a more robust topological phase, they would need to knot more than one time symmetry into the ion strand to decrease the odds of the system getting scrambled. To do this, they settled on finding a pulse pattern that did not repeat simply and regularly but nonetheless showed some kind of higher symmetry across time.

This led them to the Fibonacci sequence, in which the next number of the sequence is created by adding the previous two. Whereas a simple periodic laser pulse might just alternate between two laser sources (A, B, A, B, A, B, and so on), their new pulse train instead ran by combining the two pulses that came before (A, AB, ABA, ABAAB, ABAABABA, etc.).

This Fibonacci pulsing created a time symmetry that, just like a quasicrystal in space, was ordered without ever repeating. And just like a quasicrystal, the Fibonacci pulses also squish a higher dimensional pattern onto a lower dimensional surface. In the case of a spatial quasicrystal such as Penrose tiling, a slice of a five-dimensional lattice is projected onto a two-dimensional surface. When looking at the Fibonacci pulse pattern, we see two theoretical time symmetries get flattened into a single physical one.

"The system essentially gets a bonus symmetry from a nonexistent extra time dimension," the researchers wrote in the statement. The system appears as a material that exists in some higher dimension with two dimensions of time even if this may be physically impossible in reality.

When the team tested it, the new quasiperiodic Fibonacci pulse created a topographic phase that protected the system from data loss across the entire 5.5 seconds of the test. Indeed, they had created a phase that was immune to decoherence for much longer than others.

"With this quasi-periodic sequence, there's a complicated evolution that cancels out all the errors that live on the edge," Dumitrescu said. "Because of that, the edge stays quantum-mechanically coherent much, much longer than you'd expect."

Although the physicists achieved their aim, one hurdle remains to making their phase a useful tool for quantum programmers: integrating it with the computational side of quantum computing so that it can be input with calculations.

"We have this direct, tantalizing application, but we need to find a way to hook it into the calculations," Dumitrescu said. "That's an open problem we're working on."

Originally published on Live Science.

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Scientists blast atoms with Fibonacci laser to make an "extra" dimension of time - Livescience.com