A London-based startup, Quantum Motion, has created what is being hailed as the world’s first full-stack quantum computer, utilizing the silicon chip fabrication technology that is customary in computers and smartphones. The computer installed at the National Quantum Computing Center (NQCC) in the UK provides scalable quantum computing technology and is hailed as ‘quantum computing’s silicon moment.’
A quantum computer based on the existing silicon manufacturing processes is a quantum leap in computing that has been achieved by the standard complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) chip fabrication process. According to the startup, which has made it possible, the hardware comprises 300mm silicon CMOS wafer technology, which is mass-manufacturable, and should make this computing tech common in households someday.
Designer:
The “announcement” of this system, which can be fabricated in commercial foundries, James Palles‑Dimmock, Quantum Motion’s CEO said, “demonstrates” that “you can build a robust, functional quantum computer using the world’s most scalable technology, which can be mass-produced.”
Quantum Motion launched this full-stack quantum computer made with silicon on September 15. It is a three-rack system (comprising standard 19-inch racks) that has been developed in association with the UK government, which is pushing hard to commercialize scalable quantum hardware. Fitted in the data center-friendly form factor is the dilution refrigerator and integrated control electronics. QM has also developed cryoelectronics to connect the qubits to the control circuits, which operate at very low temperatures, making the system capable of greatly upscaling quantum processes, the company notes.
The system runs on a silicon-based Quantum Processing Unit (QPU). It comprises a user interface and control stack that supports existing software frameworks like Qiskit and Cirq. This convenience facilitates developers to build and run quantum workloads without having to go beyond their comfort zone. That said, at the time of writing, there is no data regarding the performance, the early benchmarks, or how it manages error mitigation. But we are comfortable believing that the prospects are high and the information on how this system solves the common problems faced by other quantum platforms.
Of course, this is the closest quantum computer to the standard devices that we are using, despite the scale. It works separately from the main system, making it easier to integrate into the standard data centre. And given its modular setup, Quantum Motion states, the system can be upgraded to a larger QPU without having to alter its physical footprint.
Quantum computing is still in its infancy, but it has the potential to surpass even the fastest supercomputers, enabling calculations and simulations that may seem far-fetched with today’s technology. A breakthrough like this from Quantum Motion marks a significant step forward in bringing quantum computing to the mainstream. And also closer to the man’s dream of a quantum computer on a chip!
The post first appeared on .
Related Posts
