The Beijing-Shanghai Quantum Network Trial
Decoding quantum networks, communication and computing seems to be the buzz of every academia and techno street this week despite the many constraints shrouding the commercial viability of the technology. Just days ago, two scientific academies from China and Austria successfully exchanged a secure video call over a quantum satellite (Micius) linked network, marking the beginning of the quantum communication era.
Calls were also placed between Beijing, Shanghai, Jinan and Hefei via the 2000 km fibre link between the cities. Micius is integrated into the Beijing-Shanghai link to connect quantum networks in the four cities. Prior to that, trials were conducted in Jinan involving government users for hack-proofed phone calls, messages, faxes and file exchanges.
According to scientist, a commercially viable quantum network will still take years to become a reality. Though, that doesn't stop the rush to solve the various pieces of the quantum puzzle including quantum computing. Scientist and corporations from Harvard University, Google, Intel, IBM, Alibaba to Microsoft are now working on different types of quantum machines to manufacture world’s first commercial quantum computer.
The prize is of course unprecedented levels of parallel computing power capable of factoring large numbers and data processing to accelerate advancement in artificial intelligence, machine learning, genome studies, health sciences, meteorology and atmospheric sciences. Many researcher are also predicting that some of the best use cases for quantum computing are yet to be discovered.
Here is a roundup of tech news and development that will serve as a quick reference;
Google and Quantum Supremacy
Google certainly is pushing hard for the development of a working Quantum Computer that is faster and efficient than any existing supercomputer within the year of 2017. The company in collaboration with the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), is currently perfecting a 9 qubit quantum computer. According to recent announcements, this proof-of-principle demo unit is able to represent 512 numbers all at once reliably. Google is confident that a 49 qubit system is not far from reach and is supposedly in the works.
Other initiatives are a lab dubbed as ‘Embryonic Quantum Data Center’ and an open source initiative called ‘Project Q’ which provides AI researchers, scientist and developers access to quantum computing. Even though this may be based on the D-Wave systems that Google acquired previously. Nevertheless, this effort will spur development of tools and apps for the approaching quantum era. Clearly Google’s interest in quantum computing is not just to protect leadership in AI but also to create new revenue engines in cloud services and the newly formed hardware line of business.
Microsoft
Microsoft touts something they call a topological quantum computing device but did not elaborate much on the current capabilities of the systems. Topological qubits are believed to perform computations longer and more consistently, with significantly lower error rates compared to conventional quantum methods. Microsoft also stresses that key advancements in cryogenics (production in low temperature) of the quantum hardware, development of a full stack solution including software and developer tools built into visual studio will enable efficient scaling of quantum computing for user communities such as customers, researchers, partners and developers.
IBM
IBM is in the race to build the first universal quantum computer (100,000 physical qubits) for commercial use with initiative IBM Q. The unit is responsible for research and development of the hardware while running simulations for business and scientific use cases.
In addition, similar to Microsoft, IBM opens up access to quantum computing via bluemix cloud to developer and researcher communities dubbing the project quantum experience where a set of tools are provided for experimentation.
Intel
Intel announced in early October 2017 that it successfully fabricated a 17 qubit test chip for partner QuTech in the Netherlands. QuTech will apply improved algorithms, models and instruments to further test the chip. Both companies have been partners since 2015 to develop a stable working quantum computer that some day will meet the rigorous computing needs of engineering, health science, meteorology and atmospheric sciences. Apart from the ability to master the quantum theory that manipulates the behaviour subatomic particles, this partnership underscores the importance of material science and semiconductor manufacturing in realising the promise of quantum computing.
D-Wave
The 17 year old D-Wave is probably the most commercialised brand name so far in the quantum computing space. The company produces quantum computers based on a procedure called quantum annealing, engineered to address specific optimisation problems. Even though, criticised by the wider research and tech community which considers D-Wave machines somewhat an impure quantum system, the company has shipped multiple versions of products to Lockheed Martin, Google, NASA Ames, and Los Alamos National Laboratory for various test and research purposes. D-Wave also keeps its own machines in-house for remote access. The company offers an API that can be used with Python or Matlab.
Aces of the World’s largest Marketplace and Cloud Operators
Well, the aces here are none other than Amazon and Alibaba. Back in 2012, there were many hypes around rumours that Amazon and CIA investment company In-Q-Tel may have invested into Canadian quantum computing company D-Wave. Aside from that, there seems to be no other announcements made to public on any quantum initiatives. It is likely that Amazon may be working behind close doors and is waiting for the right time to announce.
Alibaba on the other hand, allocated $15 Billion in funds for AI, drone and quantum R&D. The company also hired a reputable Chinese scientist to head the quantum computing department recently.
Others in the Race
Early this May, Chinese scientist from several institute including, Institute for Advanced Studies of University of Science and Technology of China, announced that they have successfully built the first quantum computer based on a single photon system. Development is also well underway for a multi-photon system that may become available for commercial use. Others worthy of mention are the Y Combinator-backed Rigetti Computing which is developing a gate-based quantum system and initiatives from Harvard University researchers (a collaboration between American and Russian researchers) whom claimed to have successfully tested a 51-qubit device, setting a landmark in the race for quantum supremacy.
Eyes on Trends, Experiments, and New Opportunities
Analysts, researchers and tech enthusiast are not expecting quantum computing and communication to hit the commercial market anytime soon. But it’s hard to miss the buzz around the field which suggest there is an urgency to mature the technology based on quantum mechanics of subatomic particles.
Nations and tech giants that finally makes the quantum breakthrough will take advantage of unprecedented parallel processing, advanced cryptography and power reduction in computing to lead in AI, ML, sequencing in drug products, DNA studies, biochemical, weather, space, smart cities, IOT and a host of new fields not available today.
As for now, we only need to observe the trends, experiment tools available through initiatives mentioned above, look for the right applications and new opportunities. As automation improves in enterprises and industries, some income sources will completely diminish. But quantum computing will accelerate many other tech and scientific fields where opportunities are aplenty.
Decoding quantum networks, communication and computing seems to be the buzz of every academia and techno street this week despite the many constraints shrouding the commercial viability of the technology. Just days ago, two scientific academies from China and Austria successfully exchanged a secure video call over a quantum satellite (Micius) linked network, marking the beginning of the quantum communication era.
According to scientist, a commercially viable quantum network will still take years to become a reality. Though, that doesn't stop the rush to solve the various pieces of the quantum puzzle including quantum computing. Scientist and corporations from Harvard University, Google, Intel, IBM, Alibaba to Microsoft are now working on different types of quantum machines to manufacture world’s first commercial quantum computer.
The prize is of course unprecedented levels of parallel computing power capable of factoring large numbers and data processing to accelerate advancement in artificial intelligence, machine learning, genome studies, health sciences, meteorology and atmospheric sciences. Many researcher are also predicting that some of the best use cases for quantum computing are yet to be discovered.
Here is a roundup of tech news and development that will serve as a quick reference;
Google and Quantum Supremacy
Google certainly is pushing hard for the development of a working Quantum Computer that is faster and efficient than any existing supercomputer within the year of 2017. The company in collaboration with the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), is currently perfecting a 9 qubit quantum computer. According to recent announcements, this proof-of-principle demo unit is able to represent 512 numbers all at once reliably. Google is confident that a 49 qubit system is not far from reach and is supposedly in the works.
Other initiatives are a lab dubbed as ‘Embryonic Quantum Data Center’ and an open source initiative called ‘Project Q’ which provides AI researchers, scientist and developers access to quantum computing. Even though this may be based on the D-Wave systems that Google acquired previously. Nevertheless, this effort will spur development of tools and apps for the approaching quantum era. Clearly Google’s interest in quantum computing is not just to protect leadership in AI but also to create new revenue engines in cloud services and the newly formed hardware line of business.
Microsoft
Microsoft touts something they call a topological quantum computing device but did not elaborate much on the current capabilities of the systems. Topological qubits are believed to perform computations longer and more consistently, with significantly lower error rates compared to conventional quantum methods. Microsoft also stresses that key advancements in cryogenics (production in low temperature) of the quantum hardware, development of a full stack solution including software and developer tools built into visual studio will enable efficient scaling of quantum computing for user communities such as customers, researchers, partners and developers.
IBM
IBM is in the race to build the first universal quantum computer (100,000 physical qubits) for commercial use with initiative IBM Q. The unit is responsible for research and development of the hardware while running simulations for business and scientific use cases.
In addition, similar to Microsoft, IBM opens up access to quantum computing via bluemix cloud to developer and researcher communities dubbing the project quantum experience where a set of tools are provided for experimentation.
Intel
Intel announced in early October 2017 that it successfully fabricated a 17 qubit test chip for partner QuTech in the Netherlands. QuTech will apply improved algorithms, models and instruments to further test the chip. Both companies have been partners since 2015 to develop a stable working quantum computer that some day will meet the rigorous computing needs of engineering, health science, meteorology and atmospheric sciences. Apart from the ability to master the quantum theory that manipulates the behaviour subatomic particles, this partnership underscores the importance of material science and semiconductor manufacturing in realising the promise of quantum computing.
D-Wave
The 17 year old D-Wave is probably the most commercialised brand name so far in the quantum computing space. The company produces quantum computers based on a procedure called quantum annealing, engineered to address specific optimisation problems. Even though, criticised by the wider research and tech community which considers D-Wave machines somewhat an impure quantum system, the company has shipped multiple versions of products to Lockheed Martin, Google, NASA Ames, and Los Alamos National Laboratory for various test and research purposes. D-Wave also keeps its own machines in-house for remote access. The company offers an API that can be used with Python or Matlab.
Aces of the World’s largest Marketplace and Cloud Operators
Well, the aces here are none other than Amazon and Alibaba. Back in 2012, there were many hypes around rumours that Amazon and CIA investment company In-Q-Tel may have invested into Canadian quantum computing company D-Wave. Aside from that, there seems to be no other announcements made to public on any quantum initiatives. It is likely that Amazon may be working behind close doors and is waiting for the right time to announce.
Alibaba on the other hand, allocated $15 Billion in funds for AI, drone and quantum R&D. The company also hired a reputable Chinese scientist to head the quantum computing department recently.
Others in the Race
Early this May, Chinese scientist from several institute including, Institute for Advanced Studies of University of Science and Technology of China, announced that they have successfully built the first quantum computer based on a single photon system. Development is also well underway for a multi-photon system that may become available for commercial use. Others worthy of mention are the Y Combinator-backed Rigetti Computing which is developing a gate-based quantum system and initiatives from Harvard University researchers (a collaboration between American and Russian researchers) whom claimed to have successfully tested a 51-qubit device, setting a landmark in the race for quantum supremacy.
Eyes on Trends, Experiments, and New Opportunities
Analysts, researchers and tech enthusiast are not expecting quantum computing and communication to hit the commercial market anytime soon. But it’s hard to miss the buzz around the field which suggest there is an urgency to mature the technology based on quantum mechanics of subatomic particles.
Nations and tech giants that finally makes the quantum breakthrough will take advantage of unprecedented parallel processing, advanced cryptography and power reduction in computing to lead in AI, ML, sequencing in drug products, DNA studies, biochemical, weather, space, smart cities, IOT and a host of new fields not available today.
As for now, we only need to observe the trends, experiment tools available through initiatives mentioned above, look for the right applications and new opportunities. As automation improves in enterprises and industries, some income sources will completely diminish. But quantum computing will accelerate many other tech and scientific fields where opportunities are aplenty.
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