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Entanglement is a form of correlation between quantum objects, such as particles at the atomic scale. This uniquely quantum phenomenon cannot be explained by the laws of classical physics, yet it is one of the properties that explains the macroscopic behavior of quantum systems.

Because entanglement is central to the way quantum systems work, understanding it better could give scientists a deeper sense of how information is stored and processed efficiently in such systems.

Qubits, or quantum bits, are the building blocks of a quantum computer. However, it is extremely difficult to make specific entangled states in many-qubit systems, let alone investigate them. There are also a variety of entangled states, and telling them apart can be challenging.

Now, MIT researchers have demonstrated a technique to efficiently generate entanglement among an array of superconducting qubits that exhibit a specific type of behavior.

Over the past years, the researchers at the Engineering Quantum Systems (EQuS) group have developed techniques using microwave technology to precisely control a quantum processor composed of superconducting circuits. In addition to these control techniques, the methods introduced in this work enable the processor to efficiently generate highly entangled states and shift those states from one type of entanglement to another including between types that are more likely to support quantum speed-up and those that are not.

Here, we are demonstrating that we can utilize the emerging quantum processors as a tool to further our understanding of physics. While everything we did in this experiment was on a scale which can still be simulated on a classical computer, we have a good roadmap for scaling this technology and methodology beyond the reach of classical computing, says Amir H. Karamlou 18, MEng 18, PhD 23, the lead author of the paper.

The senior author is William D. Oliver, the Henry Ellis Warren professor of electrical engineering and computer science and of physics, director of the Center for Quantum Engineering, leader of the EQuS group, and associate director of the Research Laboratory of Electronics. Karamlou and Oliver are joined by Research Scientist Jeff Grover, postdoc Ilan Rosen, and others in the departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and of Physics at MIT, at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, and at Wellesley College and the University of Maryland. The research appears today in Nature.

Assessing entanglement

In a large quantum system comprising many interconnected qubits, one can think about entanglement as the amount of quantum information shared between a given subsystem of qubits and the rest of the larger system.

The entanglement within a quantum system can be categorized as area-law or volume-law, based on how this shared information scales with the geometry of subsystems. In volume-law entanglement, the amount of entanglement between a subsystem of qubits and the rest of the system grows proportionally with the total size of the subsystem.

On the other hand, area-law entanglement depends on how many shared connections exist between a subsystem of qubits and the larger system. As the subsystem expands, the amount of entanglement only grows along the boundary between the subsystem and the larger system.

In theory, the formation of volume-law entanglement is related to what makes quantum computing so powerful.

While have not yet fully abstracted the role that entanglement plays in quantum algorithms, we do know that generating volume-law entanglement is a key ingredient to realizing a quantum advantage, says Oliver.

However, volume-law entanglement is also more complex than area-law entanglement and practically prohibitive at scale to simulate using a classical computer.

As you increase the complexity of your quantum system, it becomes increasingly difficult to simulate it with conventional computers. If I am trying to fully keep track of a system with 80 qubits, for instance, then I would need to store more information than what we have stored throughout the history of humanity, Karamlou says.

The researchers created a quantum processor and control protocol that enable them to efficiently generate and probe both types of entanglement.

Their processor comprises superconducting circuits, which are used to engineer artificial atoms. The artificial atoms are utilized as qubits, which can be controlled and read out with high accuracy using microwave signals.

The device used for this experiment contained 16 qubits, arranged in a two-dimensional grid. The researchers carefully tuned the processor so all 16 qubits have the same transition frequency. Then, they applied an additional microwave drive to all of the qubits simultaneously.

If this microwave drive has the same frequency as the qubits, it generates quantum states that exhibit volume-law entanglement. However, as the microwave frequency increases or decreases, the qubits exhibit less volume-law entanglement, eventually crossing over to entangled states that increasingly follow an area-law scaling.

Careful control

Our experiment is a tour de force of the capabilities of superconducting quantum processors. In one experiment, we operated the processor both as an analog simulation device, enabling us to efficiently prepare states with different entanglement structures, and as a digital computing device, needed to measure the ensuing entanglement scaling, says Rosen.

To enable that control, the team put years of work into carefully building up the infrastructure around the quantum processor.

By demonstrating the crossover from volume-law to area-law entanglement, the researchers experimentally confirmed what theoretical studies had predicted. More importantly, this method can be used to determine whether the entanglement in a generic quantum processor is area-law or volume-law.

The MIT experiment underscores the distinction between area-law and volume-law entanglement in two-dimensional quantum simulations using superconducting qubits. This beautifully complements our work on entanglement Hamiltonian tomography with trapped ions in a parallel publication published in Nature in 2023, says Peter Zoller, a professor of theoretical physics at the University of Innsbruck, who was not involved with this work.

Quantifying entanglement in large quantum systems is a challenging task for classical computers but a good example of where quantum simulation could help, says Pedram Roushan of Google, who also was not involved in the study. Using a 2D array of superconducting qubits, Karamlou and colleagues were able to measure entanglement entropy of various subsystems of various sizes. They measure the volume-law and area-law contributions to entropy, revealing crossover behavior as the systems quantum state energy is tuned. It powerfully demonstrates the unique insights quantum simulators can offer.

In the future, scientists could utilize this technique to study the thermodynamic behavior of complex quantum systems, which is too complex to be studied using current analytical methods and practically prohibitive to simulate on even the worlds most powerful supercomputers.

The experiments we did in this work can be used to characterize or benchmark larger-scale quantum systems, and we may also learn something more about the nature of entanglement in these many-body systems, says Karamlou.

Additional co-authors of the study areSarah E. Muschinske, Cora N. Barrett, Agustin Di Paolo, Leon Ding, Patrick M. Harrington, Max Hays, Rabindra Das, David K. Kim, Bethany M. Niedzielski, Meghan Schuldt, Kyle Serniak, Mollie E. Schwartz, Jonilyn L. Yoder, Simon Gustavsson, and Yariv Yanay.

This research is funded, in part, by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the U.S. Army Research Office, the National Science Foundation, the STC Center for Integrated Quantum Materials, the Wellesley College Samuel and Hilda Levitt Fellowship, NASA, and the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.

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MIT scientists tune the entanglement structure in an array of qubits - MIT News

Quantum computing represents a revolutionary approach to information processing, leveraging the peculiar principles of quantum mechanics to solve problems that are intractable for classical computers. This technology has the potential to transform industries, from pharmaceuticals to cryptography, by enabling them to perform complex calculations at unprecedented speeds.

At its core, quantum computing utilizes quantum bits, or qubits, which unlike classical bits, can represent and store information in both ones and zeros simultaneously thanks to a principle called superposition. Coupled with another quantum phenomenon known as entanglement, quantum computers can process complex data more efficiently than their classical counterparts.

Quantum technologies are poised to redefine a myriad of sectors by offering solutions that streamline drug discovery, optimize logistics, develop new materials, and even solve complex environmental problems. The potential for quantum computing to expedite data analysis and drive innovation is immense, prompting significant interest from both the public and private sectors.

Companies like IBM, Google, and smaller startups such as Rigetti Computing Inc (NASDAQ: RGTI) and D-Wave Quantum Inc (NYSE: QBTS) are at the forefront of developing quantum computing technologies. These organizations not only focus on building the hardware necessary to create quantum computers but also develop software and applications that leverage quantum computational power.

Quantum computing companies generate revenue through various channels, including partnerships with technology and research institutions, government grants, and by providing cloud-based quantum computing services to industries.

Significant investments from both government entities and private investors have fueled the growth of the quantum computing industry. These investments are critical in supporting research and development activities, scaling up operations, and attracting top talent in the field.

Investors interested in quantum computing stocks should consider companies that are actively engaged in the development and commercialization of quantum technologies. Stocks like IBM (NYSE: IBM), Honeywell International Inc (NASDAQ: HON), and various ETFs that focus on quantum computing and technology sectors offer opportunities to participate in this innovative market.

Quantum computing stocks are typically volatile, reflecting the early-stage nature of the industry and its sensitivity to technical advancements and regulatory changes. However, the long-term outlook is promising as the technology matures and finds more commercial applications.

Investing in quantum computing stocks involves a high degree of risk, given the experimental nature of the technology and its unproven commercial viability. However, the potential rewards could be substantial if quantum computing achieves its expected transformative impact across industries.

The next wave of innovations in quantum computing includes advancements in qubit coherence, error correction mechanisms, and hybrid quantum-classical systems, which are expected to enhance the performance and reliability of quantum computers.

Quantum computing is anticipated to contribute significantly to the global economy, enhancing competitiveness and innovation. Its impact on sectors like cybersecurity, material science, pharmaceuticals, and artificial intelligence could be profound, creating new markets and opportunities for growth.

For those new to the quantum computing investment scene, starting with exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that focus on quantum technology may be a prudent approach. This method offers diversified exposure to the sector without the need to evaluate individual stocks.

Investing in quantum computing through Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) can provide a diversified approach to this high-growth, high-risk sector. Here are some ETFs that might include exposure to quantum computing and related advanced technologies:

Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) - This ETF focuses on companies involved in the development and application of quantum computing and other advanced technologies. It aims to track an index of leading firms that are poised to benefit from the increased adoption of quantum computing.

Global X Internet of Things ETF (SNSR) - While not exclusively focused on quantum computing, this ETF invests in companies that stand to benefit from the broader expansion of connected devices and technologies, which could include quantum computing applications.

ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) - Managed by ARK Invest, this ETF invests in companies that ARK believes are leaders in disruptive innovation across various sectors, including some that are exploring quantum computing technologies.

First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF (LEGR) - This ETF includes companies involved in blockchain and other transformational technologies like quantum computing. Its focus is on firms that are likely to benefit from new technological efficiencies.

Before investing, it's crucial to understand the technological and market trends within the quantum computing sector. Additionally, considering the long-term investment horizon and the experimental nature of quantum technologies is essential.

Investing in quantum computing stocks presents an intriguing opportunity given the cutting-edge nature of the technology. Here's a straightforward breakdown to help investors navigate this area:

Key players in the quantum computing sector include IBM, Honeywell, D-Wave Systems, Rigetti Computing, and IonQ (NYSE: IONQ). These companies focus on developing quantum computing technologies and platforms that may revolutionize various industries, from pharmaceuticals to finance.

Investing in quantum computing stocks carries a high level of risk. This is primarily because quantum computing is still in its early stages of development, making it highly speculative. The technology faces significant scientific and commercialization challenges, and companies in this field may experience high volatility in their stock prices.

If the technology achieves its anticipated revolutionary impact, the potential returns from investing in quantum computing could be substantial. Early investors in successful quantum computing companies could see significant gains as these firms secure their market positions and commercialize their technologies. However, given the high risks involved, losses are also a strong possibility.

Quantum computing stocks are considered a future-proof investment because they represent a frontier technology with the potential to disrupt numerous industries. As computational problems that are currently unsolvable become manageable, quantum computing could unlock new levels of efficiency and innovation. For investors who are comfortable with high risks and have a long-term investment horizon, these stocks could offer substantial rewards as part of a diversified portfolio.

Investing in quantum computing stocks offers a unique opportunity to be part of a technological revolution that could redefine the digital landscape. While the risks are non-negligible, the potential to drive significant economic and technological breakthroughs makes it an intriguing prospect for forward-thinking investors.

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Quantum Computing Stocks: An Investment in the Future - Value the Markets

Businesses are one step closer to quantum cloud computing, thanks to a breakthrough made in its security and privacy by scientists at Oxford University.

The researchers used an approach dubbed blind quantum computing to connect two quantum computing entities (Figure A); this simulates the situation where an employee at home or in an office remotely connects to a quantum server via the cloud. With this method, the quantum server provider does not need to know any details of the computation for it to be carried out, keeping the users proprietary work secure. The user can also easily verify the authenticity of their result, confirming it is neither erroneous nor corrupted.

Figure A

Ensuring the security and privacy of quantum computations is one of the most significant roadblocks that has held the powerful technology back so far, so this work could lead to it finally entering the mainstream.

Despite only being tested on a small scale, the researchers say their experiment has the potential to be scaled up to large quantum computations. Plug-in devices could be developed that safeguard a workers data while they access quantum cloud computing services.

Professor David Lucas, the co-head of the Oxford University Physics research team, said in a press release: We have shown for the first time that quantum computing in the cloud can be accessed in a scalable, practical way which will also give people complete security and privacy of data, plus the ability to verify its authenticity.

Classical computers process information as binary bits represented as 1s and 0s, but quantum computers do so using quantum bits, or qubits. Qubits exist as both a 1 and a 0 at the same time, but with a probability of being one or the other that is determined by their quantum state. This property enables quantum computers to tackle certain calculations much faster than classical computers, as they can solve problems simultaneously.

Quantum cloud computing is where quantum resources are provided to users remotely over the internet; this allows anyone to utilise quantum computing without the need for specialised hardware or expertise.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Quantum computing: An insiders guide

With typical quantum cloud computing, the user must divulge the problem they are trying to solve to the cloud provider; this is because the providers infrastructure needs to understand the specifics of the problem so it can allocate the appropriate resources and execution parameters. Naturally, in the case of proprietary work, this presents a security concern.

This security risk is minimised with the blind quantum computing method because the user remotely controls the quantum processor of the server themselves during a computation. The information required to keep the data secure like the input, output and algorithmic details only needs to be known by the client because the server does not make any decisions with it.

Never in history have the issues surrounding privacy of data and code been more urgently debated than in the present era of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, said Professor Lucas in the press release.

As quantum computers become more capable, people will seek to use them with complete security and privacy over networks, and our new results mark a step change in capability in this respect.

Blind quantum cloud computing requires connecting a client computer that can detect photons, or particles of light, to a quantum computing server with a fibre optic cable (Figure B). The server generates single photons, which are sent through the fibre network and received by the client.

Figure B

The client then measures the polarisation, or orientation, of the photons, which tells it how to remotely manipulate the server in a way that will produce the desired computation. This can be done without the server needing access to any information about the computation, making it secure.

To provide additional assurance that the results of the computation are not erroneous or have been tampered with, additional tests can be undertaken. While tampering would not harm the security of the data in a blind quantum computation, it could still corrupt the result and leave the client unaware.

The laws of quantum mechanics dont allow copying of information and any attempt to observe the state of the memory by the server or an eavesdropper would corrupt the computation, study lead Dr Peter Drmota explained to TechRepublic in an email. In that case, the user would notice that the server isnt operating faithfully, using a feature called verification, and abort using their service if there are any doubts.

Since the server is blind to the computation ie, is not able to distinguish different computations the client can evaluate the reliability of the server by running simple tests whose results can be easily checked.

These tests can be interleaved with the actual computation until there is enough evidence that the server is operating correctly and the results of the actual computation can be trusted to be correct. This way, honest errors as well as malicious attempts to tamper with the computation can be detected by the client.

Figure C

The researchers found the computations their method produced could be verified robustly and reliably, as per the paper. This means that the client can trust the results have not been tampered with. It is also scalable, as the number of quantum elements being manipulated for performing calculations can be increased without increasing the number of physical qubits in the server and without modifications to the client hardware, the scientists wrote.

Dr. Drmota said in the press release, Using blind quantum computing, clients can access remote quantum computers to process confidential data with secret algorithms and even verify the results are correct, without revealing any useful information. Realising this concept is a big step forward in both quantum computing and keeping our information safe online.

The research was funded by the UK Quantum Computing and Simulation Hub a collaboration of 17 universities supported by commercial and government organisations. It is one of four quantum technology hubs in the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme.

Quantum computing is vastly more powerful than conventional computing, and could revolutionise how we work if it is successfully scaled out of the research phase. Examples include solving supply chain problems, optimising routes and securing communications.

In February, the U.K. government announced a 45 million ($57 million) investment into quantum computing; the money goes toward finding practical uses for quantum computing and creating a quantum-enabled economy by 2033. In March, quantum computing was singled out in the Ministerial Declaration, with G7 countries agreeing to work together to promote the development of quantum technologies and foster collaboration between academia and industry. Just this month, the U.K.s second commercial quantum computer came online.

Due to the extensive power and refrigeration requirements, very few quantum computers are currently commercially available. However, several leading cloud providers do offer so-called quantum-as-a-service to corporate clients and researchers. Googles Cirq, for example, is an open source quantum computing platform, while Amazon Braket allows users to test their algorithms on a local quantum simulator. IBM, Microsoft and Alibaba also have quantum-as-a-service offerings.

WATCH: What classic software developers need to know about quantum computing

But before quantum computing can be scaled up and used for business applications, it is imperative to ensure it can be achieved while safeguarding the privacy and security of customer data. This is what the Oxford University researchers hoped to achieve in their new study, published in Physical Review Letters.

Dr. Drmota told TechRepublic in an email: Strong security guarantees will lower the barrier to using powerful quantum cloud computing services, once available, to speed up the development of new technologies, such as batteries and drugs, and for applications that involve highly confidential data, such as private medical information, intellectual property, and defence. Those applications exist also without added security, but would be less likely to be used as widely.

Quantum computing has the potential to drastically improve machine learning. This would supercharge the development of better and more adapted artificial intelligence, which we are already seeing impacting businesses across all sectors.

It is conceivable that quantum computing will have an impact on our lives in the next five to ten years, but it is difficult to forecast the exact nature of the innovations to come. I expect a continuous adaptation process as users start to learn how to use this new tool and how to apply it to their jobs similar to how AI is slowly becoming more relevant at the mainstream workplace right now.

Our research is currently driven by quite general assumptions, but as businesses start to explore the potential of quantum computing for them, more specific requirements will emerge and drive research into new directions.

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Quantum Cloud Computing Secured in New Breakthrough at Oxford - TechRepublic

An international group of researchers, led by Philip Walther of the University of Vienna, has made a significant advance in quantum technology by successfully demonstrating quantum interference among multiple single photons utilizing a unique resource-efficient platform. The discovery, recently published in the journal Science Advances, marks a significant leap in optical quantum computing, paving the path for more scalable quantum technology.

A crucial aspect of optical quantum computing is photon interference, a phenomenon that is central to quantum optics. Quantum information can be encoded and processed by utilizing the characteristics of light, such as its wave-particle duality, to create interference patterns.

Spatial encoding, where photons are manipulated along distinct spatial paths to create interference, is a commonly used method in traditional multi-photon experiments. However, these experiments are resource-intensive and challenging to scale up due to their complex setups that require numerous components.

On the other hand, the multinational team, including researchers from Universit libre de Bruxelles, Politecnico di Milano, and the University of Vienna, opted for a method based on temporal encoding. This approach manipulates photons in the time domain rather than their spatial characteristics.

To this end, the team developed a unique architecture at the University of Viennas Christian Doppler Laboratory that incorporates an optical fiber loop. This design enables the reuse of the same optical components, facilitating efficient multi-photon interference while minimizing the need for physical resources.

In our experiment, we observed quantum interference among up to eight photons, surpassing the scale of most of existing experiments. Thanks to the versatility of our approach, the interference pattern can be reconfigured and the size of the experiment can be scaled, without changing the optical setup.

Lorenzo Carosini, Study First Author and PhD Student, University of Vienna

The results show that the implemented architecture has significantly higher resource efficiency than previous spatial-encoding techniques, opening the path for more accessible and scalable quantum technology.

Carosini, L., et. al. (2024) Programmable multiphoton quantum interference in a single spatial mode. Science Advances. doi:10.1126/sciadv.adj0993

Source: https://www.univie.ac.at/en/

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Researchers Achieve Major Advancement in Quantum Technology - AZoQuantum

TORONTO and COLUMBIA, S. C., April 16, 2024 Xanadu, a world leader in photonic quantum computing, and South Carolina Quantum (SC Quantum), a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing academia, industry, and entrepreneurs together to build a sustainable quantum ecosystem, have formed a partnership to develop practical, hands-on educational materials and grow a quantum-smart workforce in South Carolina.

Xanadu is on a mission to make quantum computers useful and available to people everywhere. In 2022, Xanadu made the strategic decision to partner with academic institutions and organizations focused on quantum education to help build a global quantum computing workforce. As part of its long-term vision to support quantum education and research in the US, Xanadu expanded its operations by opening a dedicated US entity in March of 2024.

SC Quantums goal is to accelerate the future of a quantum ecosystem through developing relevant quantum education across all levels of education to inspire a professional quantum-smart workforce, creating an environment for innovation and opportunity for entrepreneurs, and engaging with industry and tech to bring real world, complex problems for research opportunities to challenge students critical thinking and provide access to quantum technology.

The quantum field is growing rapidly and the next generation must be highly skilled in a range of tools and approaches. Were excited to partner with SC Quantum to accelerate quantum education and research in the State of South Carolina and across the United States, said Xanadu Founder and CEO, Christian Weedbrook.

PennyLane, Xanadus open-source software framework, will be a pillar of this partnership. With support from the team at Xanadu, researchers in the SC Quantum network will utilize PennyLane to design and develop next-generation quantum algorithms and to test them on simulators and Xanadus photonic quantum hardware. Xanadus technology will also be used as a foundation for developing hands-on educational experiences to be integrated into SC Quantums growing university network.

Our mission is to champion the advancement of quantum talent and technology in South Carolina. To succeed in this mission, we need to partner with world-renowned quantum companies with cutting-edge technologies, making Xanadu an obvious choice for one of our first partnerships. We look forward to the research and training that our network will benefit from, said Joe Queenan, Executive Director, South Carolina Quantum.

About Xanadu

Xanadu is a quantum computing company with the mission to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere. Founded in 2016, Xanadu has become one of the worlds leading quantum hardware and software companies. The company also leads the development of PennyLane, an open-source software library for quantum computing and application development.

About SCQ

South Carolina Quantum (SC Quantum), a 501(c)(3), was established in 2022 in Columbia, South Carolina to Champion the advancement of quantum talent and technologies in South Carolina. As a convening organization, we promote collaboration among academia, entrepreneurs, industry, and government. After a $15 million grant from the state of South Carolina in 2023, SC Quantum quickly grew interest from partners in South Carolina and the region to further the mission of what is now SC Quantum.

Source: Xanadu

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Xanadu and South Carolina Quantum Establish Partnership to Build the Quantum Workforce of Tomorrow - HPCwire