Fujitsu and RIKEN have announced the successful development of a new 64 qubit superconducting quantum computer at the RIKEN RQC-Fujitsu Collaboration Center. This quantum computer leverages the technology developed by RIKEN and a consortium of joint research partners, including Fujitsu, for Japan’s first superconducting quantum computer. Alongside this announcement, Fujitsu and RIKEN have also revealed the launch of a platform for hybrid quantum computing, which combines the computing power of the new 64 qubit superconducting quantum computer with one of the world’s largest 40 qubit quantum computer simulators developed by Fujitsu.
The new hybrid platform allows for easy comparison of calculation results between noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) computers and error-free results from quantum simulators. This enhances research in areas such as performance evaluation of error mitigation algorithms in quantum applications. Additionally, Fujitsu and RIKEN are working on a hybrid quantum algorithm that links superconducting quantum computing with high-performance computing (HPC). This algorithm enables quantum chemistry calculations with greater accuracy than conventional algorithms.
Moving forward, Fujitsu and RIKEN aim to promote the development of technologies to realize a 1,000 qubit superconducting quantum computer and achieve more precise quantum gate operations. They will also provide quantum computing and quantum simulation resources to customers for applications in finance and drug discovery, and continue joint research to accelerate the practical application of both quantum computing hardware and software.
This development represents a significant step in the advancement of practical quantum computing. Quantum computers have the potential to solve complex problems that are currently infeasible for classical computers. However, current quantum systems still suffer from computing errors due to noise. The development of a reliable and fault-tolerant quantum computer has been a challenge, and experts predict it will take a decade or longer. Hybrid quantum computing, which combines the strengths of quantum computers and quantum simulators, provides a bridge towards practical, fault-tolerant quantum computing.
The new hybrid quantum computing platform developed by Fujitsu and RIKEN aims to address these challenges. It combines the computing power of superconducting quantum computers with the error-free computation of quantum simulators. This platform will enable flexible switching between quantum computing and quantum simulation, facilitating the development of hybrid algorithms that utilize both classical and quantum computers.
Fujitsu and RIKEN plan to continue joint development towards the realization of a large-scale quantum computer with 1,000 qubits. They will strengthen their cooperation in the development of practical applications for quantum computers and promote research and development of quantum computing simulation technology and software technology that orchestrates quantum computing with HPC.
The new hybrid quantum computing platform has garnered interest from various companies and research institutions. Fujitsu and RIKEN aim to accelerate joint research with these partners and expand the search for practical hybrid quantum applications in fields such as materials, finance, and drug discovery.
Several joint research partners have expressed their excitement about the potential of quantum computing. Fujifilm Corporation anticipates that quantum computers will enable high-precision chemical calculations that contribute to materials development. Tokyo Electron Limited sees the potential for quantum computers to perform highly accurate calculations in semiconductor manufacturing process development and material development. Mizuho-DL Financial Technology Co., Ltd. is interested in quantum circuit devices and large-scale quantum circuit simulators for performance evaluation and demonstration of quantum applications and error correction algorithms.
Overall, Fujitsu and RIKEN’s development of a new 64 qubit superconducting quantum computer and the launch of a hybrid quantum computing platform represent significant progress towards practical quantum computing. These advancements have the potential to revolutionize various industries and provide solutions to complex problems that are currently beyond the reach of classical computers.