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Quantum computing firm D-Wave has announced the general availability of its 1,200 qubit Advantage2 (Adv2) prototype.

First unveiled in 2022, the new Adv2 prototype features more than 1,200 qubits and 10,000 couplers and apparently demonstrates a 20x faster time-to-solution on hard optimization problems.

Compared to D-Waves previously released Advantage2 prototype, the machine has increased qubit connectivity from 15 to 20-way; scaled energy usage by more than 40 percent; and doubled qubit coherence time.

The Adv2 prototype is now available to customers who have the companys Leap quantum cloud service subscription. New customers can sign up to the Leap service and receive up to one minute of free use of D-Waves quantum processing units (QPUs) and quantum hybrid solvers.

Today marks an important milestone in our product delivery roadmap, as we open up access to the newest Advantage2 prototype for businesses, developers, and researchers across the globe, said Mark W. Johnson, senior vice president of quantum technologies and systems products at D-Wave. What were seeing with the Advantage2 prototype in terms of performance gains is remarkable, and were thrilled to make it available today to help customers start applying it to their complex problems now.

D-Wave was the first commercial supplier of quantum computers and offers machines that utilize quantum annealing.

The company went public in August 2022 after a SPAC merger with DPCM Capital. However, in October 2023 the company faced a second potential delisting from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) over its low stock price. The company was given six months to bring its share price back above a $1 average closing share price over a 30-day period.

D-Waves stock price hit $1 on February 9, 2024, and sits at $1.35 at the time of publishing.

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D-Wave announces general availability of its Advantage2 prototype - DatacenterDynamics

SHERBROOKE, Canada (February 8th, 2024) Nord Quantique, a quantum computing startup with an industry leading approach to error correction, today announced promising results from its latest innovation. Using its hardware efficient approach, Nord Quantique is now the first company in the world to demonstrate quantum error correction to improve qubit coherence lifetime at the individual qubit level. The company has achieved an increase of 14% in the lifetime of a single qubit without using the brute force redundancy of additional physical qubits.

Furthermore, simulations run by the company show not only that these results can be reproduced with additional qubits, but that there is likely to be to significant, further improvement in error correction as the number of qubits increases. This indicates that, at scale, Nord Quantiques quantum computers will function with far fewer resources dedicated to error correction, thereby requiring only hundreds of qubits to deliver fault tolerant quantum computing instead of millions. Thus, making the path to scaling this hardware to levels useful for industrial partners a much shorter one. As a next step, the company plans to unveil results from a multi-qubit system later this year.

There is a consensus in the industry that useful quantum computing cannot be achieved without error correction. Our team at Nord Quantique is very proud to be the first company to extend the lifetime of a logical qubit without a large overhead of physical qubits dedicated to error correction, as most other systems have. After years of diligent work, this demonstration marks the first major milestone on our journey to error-corrected, fault-tolerant quantum computing, said Julien Camirand Lemyre, President and CTO at Nord Quantique. Our model incorporates redundancy into every logical qubit, drastically reducing the number of physical qubits required for error correction once scaled. This positions us well to develop highly efficient and scalable quantum computers, without the need for vast amounts of physical qubits devoted to error correction, and potentially reaching fault-tolerance in a shorter time.

By applying GKP bosonic codes for error correction at the individual qubit level, Nord Quantique has demonstrated the ability to correct both bit-flips and phase-flips, the most common types of errors in quantum computing. This makes error correction much easier to manage, and may require between 1,000 and 10,000 times fewer physical qubits than other computing models to effectively manage errors in the superconducting system and deliver useful results. Furthermore, once at scale, Nord Quantiques system will operate with clock speeds at megahertz frequency, between 100 and 1,000 times faster than some competing systems.

The company believes this three-pronged combination of efficient error correction, fast computational speeds and a clear road to scaling makes its systems ideally suited for problems such as the simulations required in the materials science and pharmaceutical industries, as well as several other sectors which can benefit from advanced calculations using deep circuits and complex algorithms. Moreover, through eliminating the need for a vast overhead of physical qubits dedicated to error correction, the company believes it may deliver useful quantum computing sooner by devoting more resources to increasing the number of logical qubits.

These results are produced avoiding the brute force approach to error correction. Rather, by injecting microwave photons into a high-quality superconducting cavity and controlling their state using precise microwave pulses, Nord Quantique has managed to exploit the built-in redundancy this system provides to enable error correction within the qubit itself. This means even at scale, that each of these individual physical qubits could ultimately be operated as logical qubits.

About Nord Quantique

Founded in 2020 in Sherbrooke, Quebec Canadas leading quantum hub, Nord Quantique is committed to overcoming the challenge of quantum error correction, todays principal barrier to fault-tolerant quantum computing. By addressing the most common types of errors on individual qubits, Nord Quantique is poised to deliver industry-leading error correction with high-speed processing. Few errors combined with fast calculation speeds means the company will be able to deliver useful quantum computing sooner, without having to scale to millions of qubits. This more readily enables reliable operation of useful quantum computers with a wide array of industry applications. For additional insight into our pioneering work, please visitnordquantique.ca.

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Steve La Barbera FTG Media steve@ftgdigital.com 647-715-1774

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.

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Quantum error correction on a single qubit with no overhead of qubits - EurekAlert

The dawn of quantum computing brings the promise of revolutionary advancements in fields ranging from medicine to material science, notes Cody Gee. However, this groundbreaking technology also poses significant challenges to the current paradigms of cybersecurity. Quantum computers, with their ability to process complex calculations at speeds unattainable by classical computers, threaten to render traditional encryption methods obsolete, exposing digital communications and stored data to new vulnerabilities. This post from Cody Gee delves into the implications of quantum computing for cybersecurity, exploring how organizations and individuals can prepare for a radically altered threat landscape.

Cody Gee on Understanding Quantum Computings Impact on Encryption

At the heart of modern cybersecurity is encryption: the process of encoding information in such a way that only authorized parties can access it. Most encryption methods today rely on complex mathematical problems that are time-consuming for classical computers to solve. Public key encryption, for example, uses the difficulty of factoring large prime numbers as its basis. Quantum computing, however, can solve these problems exponentially faster thanks to algorithms like Shors algorithm, which can factor large numbers in polynomial time, effectively neutralizing the security offered by public key cryptography.

Cody Gee on The Quantum Threat to Encryption

One of the most pressing issues in the realm of digital security today is the potential threat posed by quantum computers. These machines, once practical and scalable, could possess the capability to easily break widely used encryption standards such as RSA and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography). These encryption standards are vital in securing various aspects of digital communication and transactions, ranging from emails to financial transactions. The possibility of quantum computers breaking these encryption standards poses a significant challenge in terms of digital security, as it could lead to unprecedented exposure of sensitive data. This is because the foundational elements of digital security could be compromised, making it easier for hackers to gain access to sensitive information. As such, experts in the field of digital security are working tirelessly to develop new encryption standards that can stand up to the power of quantum computers.

Cody Gee on Preparing for Quantum-Enabled Cybersecurity Threats

The potential for quantum computing to break current encryption algorithms has prompted a global race to develop quantum-resistant encryption methods, often referred to as post-quantum cryptography. This new generation of cryptographic standards aims to be secure against both quantum and classical computers, ensuring long-term data protection. Heres how the cybersecurity landscape is evolving in response to the quantum threat:

Cody Gee on Developing Quantum-Resistant Algorithms

Organizations like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are at the forefront of identifying and standardizing quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms. These algorithms rely on mathematical problems that are believed to be difficult for quantum computers to solve, such as lattice-based cryptography, hash-based cryptography, and multivariate polynomial cryptography. By transitioning to these new standards, organizations can safeguard their data against future quantum attacks.

Cody Gee on Embracing Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)

Quantum key distribution represents a novel approach to secure communication, utilizing the principles of quantum mechanics to create theoretically unhackable communication channels. QKD leverages the quantum property of entanglement and the no-cloning theorem to ensure that any attempt at eavesdropping can be detected immediately. While QKD offers promising security benefits, its practical deployment is currently limited by technical and infrastructural challenges.

Cody Gee on Enhancing Cybersecurity Hygiene

In addition to adopting new encryption standards, enhancing overall cybersecurity hygiene remains crucial. Organizations should prioritize data security policies that include regular updates to encryption protocols, thorough risk assessments, and cybersecurity awareness training for employees. These practices will be essential in mitigating risks during the transition to quantum-resistant technologies.

Cody Gee on Investing in Quantum Computing Research

Investing in quantum computing research and development can provide organizations with a deeper understanding of potential threats and opportunities. By staying at the forefront of quantum advancements, businesses can not only prepare for future cybersecurity challenges but also explore innovative applications of quantum computing within their industries.

The advent of quantum computing necessitates a proactive approach to cybersecurity. As we stand on the brink of this technological leap, the transition to quantum-resistant encryption methods becomes not just a matter of maintaining security but of ensuring the continued trustworthiness and reliability of digital infrastructure worldwide. By investing in research, adopting new cryptographic standards, and maintaining robust cybersecurity practices, we can navigate the challenges of the quantum age, protecting sensitive data and securing communications against the next generation of cyber threats. The journey towards quantum resilience is complex and requires global cooperation, but with concerted effort and foresight, Cody Gee believes it is a challenge that we are well-equipped to meet.

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Cody Gee on Cybersecurity in the Age of Quantum Computing: Preparing for a New Threat Landscape - DOWNBEACH - Downbeach.com

LONDON, Feb. 9, 2024 Seven quantum hardware companies have been awarded contracts to build a diverse range of quantum computing testbeds at the National Quantum Computing Centre facilities in Oxfordshire, England by March 2025.

The Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competition, delivered by Innovate UK, is providing 30 million ($37.8 million) funded through the UKRI Technology Missions Fund and the NQCC to accelerate the development of scalable quantum computing.

The winners are University of Sheffield spinout Aegiq; Infleqtion (formerly ColdQuanta); ORCA Computing; Oxford Ionics; Quantum Motion; QuEra Computing; and Rigetti.

QuEra and Infleqtion will assemble hardware systems based on neutral atoms, while Rigetti will build a testbed with 24 superconducting qubits. Oxford Ionics will demonstrate a trapped-ion platform based on technology originally developed at the University of Oxford. Under the seventh project, Quantum Motion will create a demonstration platform that exploits spin qubits within a silicon-chip architecture.

An additional 15 million in funding will go toward winners of the Quantum Catalyst Fund. The U.K. government-backed initiative aims to accelerate adoption of quantum solutions by the public sector, such as optimizing power grids, train schedules, and brain imaging.

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Seven Selected to Contribute to UK Quantum Testbed | Business | Feb 2024 - Photonics.com

Tech experts across government, academia, and the private sector are methodically working to ensure the worlds data is safe from the impending threat of quantum decryption. While this may represent the greatest technological threat this side of AI-wrought extinction, there may be some silver linings along the way.

At some point, possibly in the near future, researchers believe a quantum computing system capable of breaking RSA encryption the standard that protects banks, military bases, and countless other institutions from hackers and spies will emerge.

Related: WEF identifies AI and quantum computing as emerging global threats

Before that happens, however, several other quantum technology solutions will likely need to come into focus. Chief among them, may very well be quantum sensing.

Jack Hidary, the CEO of SandboxAQ, a Google sibling company focused on quantum technologies, is certain well see scaled, fault-tolerant quantum computers by the end of the decade.

In a talk entitled Quantums Black Swan, given at the World Economic Forum, the CEO discussed the threat of quantum decryption as well as some of the potential breakthroughs we could see ahead of it.

Hidary predicts that certainly by 2029-30, we're going to see scaled, fault-tolerant quantum computers, which could be capable of breaking encryption.

Hes not the only one making predictions that would have seemed bold just a few years ago. IBM, currently considered the industry leader by many, says itll hit an inflection point in quantum computing by 2029. And MIT/Harvard spinout QuEra claims itll have a 10,000-qubit error-corrected quantum computer by 2026.

Theoretically-speaking, any quantum computer capable of quantum advantage outperforming classical binary computers at useful tasks could break RSA encryption.

Luckily, as Hidary pointed out, groups around the world, including the U.S. government and IBM, have identified algorithms and policies that should be able to protect our data if they can be implemented in time.

Its likely well see a swell of related quantum technologies before the threat of quantum-based encryption breaking is realized. This could manifest in less-powerful quantum computing systems capable of pushing beyond the limitations of todays modern binary supercomputers.

However, a more immediate quantum technology might be quantum sensing. According to Hidary, quantum sensors could fill in the gaps in our GPS system perhaps even thwarting active attempts at obfuscating satellite signals.

There could be myriad uses for quantum sensors ranging from medical applications involving deeper, more accurate, real-time body and brain scanning to potential implications for robotics capable of full, untethered autonomy.

Much like most AI experts and pundits couldnt have predicted the impact ChatGPT would have less than a decade after the seminal Generative Adversarial Networks paper was published, it might be difficult to determine just how quantum computing will break through from the lab to the mainstream.

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Quantum computing's ChatGPT moment could be right around the corner - Cointelegraph