Teacher Winfried Hensinger, Professor of Quantum Technologies at the University of Sussex and Chief Scientist and Co-founder at Universal Quantum said: “As quantum computer systems grow, we will eventually be constrained by the size of the microchip, which limits the number of quantum bits such a chip can accommodate. These exciting results reveal the impressive capacity of Universal Quantums quantum computers to become effective enough to unlock the many life-changing applications of quantum computing.”
Dr. Mariam Akhtar led the research during her time as Research Fellow at the University of Sussex and Quantum Advisor at Universal Quantum. Teacher Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sussex, said: “Its fantastic to see that the inspired work of the University of Sussex and Universal Quantum physicists has resulted in this phenomenal development, taking us a substantial action more detailed to a quantum computer that will be of genuine societal usage. The University of Sussex is investing significantly in quantum computing to support our bold aspiration to host the worlds most powerful quantum computers and develop modification that has the possible to positively affect so many people throughout the world.
Quantum computer system setup at the University of Sussex with 2 quantum computer system microchips where quantum bits are transferred from one microchip to another with record speed. Credit: University of Sussex
Universal of Sussex and Universal Quantum scientists have, for the very first time, connected quantum microchips together, like a jigsaw puzzle, to make effective quantum computer systems and with record-breaking connection speed and precision.
Researchers from the University of Sussex and Universal Quantum have actually demonstrated for the very first time that quantum bits (qubits) can straight move between quantum computer system microchips and demonstrated this with record-breaking speed and precision. This breakthrough deals with a significant difficulty in building quantum computer systems large and powerful enough to deal with complex issues that are of vital importance to society.
Today, quantum computer systems run on the 100-qubit scale. Professionals prepare for countless qubits are needed to solve important issues that run out reach of todays most powerful supercomputers. There is a global quantum race to develop quantum computers that can help in numerous important societal difficulties from drug discovery to making fertilizer production more energy effective and solving essential problems in nearly every industry, ranging from aeronautics to the financial sector.
In the term paper, released on February 8, 2023, in the journal Nature Communications, the researchers demonstrate how they have utilized a brand-new and powerful method, which they dub UQ Connect, to utilize electric field links to make it possible for qubits to move from one quantum computing microchip module to another with extraordinary speed and accuracy. This allows chips to slot together like a jigsaw puzzle to make a more powerful quantum computer.
Graphic showing 2 quantum computer system modules being aligned so that atoms can transfer from one quantum computer system microchip to another. Credit: University of Sussex
The University of Sussex and Universal Quantum group achieved success in transferring the qubits with a 99.999993% success rate and a connection rate of 2424/s, both numbers are world records and orders of magnitude much better than previous options.
Professor Winfried Hensinger, Professor of Quantum Technologies at the University of Sussex and Chief Scientist and Co-founder at Universal Quantum said: “As quantum computer systems grow, we will become constrained by the size of the microchip, which limits the variety of quantum bits such a chip can accommodate. As such, we knew a modular technique was crucial to make quantum computers powerful enough to fix step-changing market issues. In demonstrating that we can connect 2 quantum calculating chips– a bit like a jigsaw puzzle– and, crucially, that it works so well, we open the prospective to scale-up by linking hundreds or even thousands of quantum computing microchips.”
While connecting the modules at world-record speed, the researchers also confirmed that the unusual quantum nature of the qubit stays unblemished throughout transportation, for instance, that the qubit can be both 0 and 1 at the very same time.
University of Sussex and Universal Quantum researchers, Professor Winfried Hensinger and Dr. Sebastian Weidt in University of Sussex quantum computing laboratories. Credit: University of Sussex
Dr. Sebastian Weidt, CEO and Co-founder of Universal Quantum, and Senior Lecturer in Quantum Technologies at the University of Sussex said: “Our unrelenting focus is on offering individuals with a tool that will enable them to change their field of work. The Universal Quantum and University of Sussex teams have actually done something genuinely amazing here that will help make our vision a reality. These amazing outcomes reveal the exceptional capacity of Universal Quantums quantum computer systems to become powerful adequate to open the many life-changing applications of quantum computing.”
Universal Quantum has actually just been granted EUR67 million from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to build 2 quantum computers where they will deploy this innovation as part of the contract. The University of Sussex spin-out was likewise just recently called as one of the 2022 Institute of Physics award winners in business Start-up category.
Weidt added: “The DLR contract was likely among the biggest government quantum computing agreements ever handed out to a single business. This is a huge recognition of our innovation. Universal Quantum is now working hard to deploy this innovation in our upcoming business machines.”
Dr. Mariam Akhtar led the research study throughout her time as Research Fellow at the University of Sussex and Quantum Advisor at Universal Quantum. She said: “The team has actually demonstrated fast and meaningful ion transfer using quantum matter links. This experiment validates the unique architecture that Universal Quantum has been developing– offering an exciting path towards really massive quantum computing.”
Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sussex, stated: “Its wonderful to see that the inspired work of the University of Sussex and Universal Quantum physicists has actually resulted in this remarkable development, taking us a substantial step closer to a quantum computer that will be of real societal usage. The University of Sussex is investing substantially in quantum computing to support our vibrant ambition to host the worlds most effective quantum computers and create modification that has the potential to positively affect so lots of individuals across the world.
Professor Keith Jones, Interim Provost and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at the University of Sussex, stated of the development: “This is a really exciting finding from our University of Sussex physicists and Universal Quantum. Were delighted that Sussex academics are providing research that uses hope in realizing the positive potential of next-generation quantum technology in vital locations such as sustainability, drug development, and cybersecurity.”
Reference: “A high-fidelity quantum matter-link between ion-trap microchip modules” by M. Akhtar, F. Bonus, F. R. Lebrun-Gallagher, N. I. Johnson, M. Siegele-Brown, S. Hong, S. J. Hile, S. A. Kulmiya, S. Weidt and W. K. Hensinger, 8 February 2023, Nature Communications.DOI: 10.1038/ s41467-022-35285-3.