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The history of computers is intertwined with the history of modern technology. It all began in the 19th century, when, in 1801, a French merchant and inventor, Marie Jacquard, invented a loom with punched wooden cards to automatically weave fabric designs.

However, the most significant progress in automated computing that century occurred when English mathematician Charles Babbage devised a steam-driven calculating machine capable of computing tables of numbers. The most groundbreaking 20th-century invention came in 1936 from Alan Turing, a British scientist and mathematician, who introduced a universal machine, later named the Turing Machine. Scientists assert that the concept of modern computers is fundamentally based on Alan Turing's ideas.

Since then, it has been a chain of progress. In 1939, David Packard and Bill Hewlett founded the Hewlett Packard Company, and in 1953, Grace Hopper developed the first computer language, COBOL, followed by John Backus and his team of programmers at IBM publishing a paper describing their newly created FORTRAN programming language.

The stream of inventions enriching computing technology over the years has focused on multiple aspects. Sometimes, it has been the development of a breakthrough language or software and, other times, crucial hardware. Such inventions continue to happen, helping to build the next generation of computers, something ably futuristic,' in the truest sense of the term.

In the following segments, we will look at two such inventions that involve Quantum Emitters and Infrared Lasers.

The achievement comes from a team of researchers led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab). The researchers claim to have emerged successful in their attempt to use a femtosecond layer to create and annihilate' qubits by doping silicon with hydrogen. The researchers emphasized that they could carry out this exercise on demand and with precision.

But, to be able to realize the significance of the research to its fullest, we must know what qubits are and why they are important!

Quantum computers could prove pathbreaking in their ability to solve problems a million times faster than some of the most advanced supercomputers currently available. These machines have the potential to usher in revolutionary breakthroughs in areas such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and artificial intelligence. But for all these to happen, the industry would have to devise a way to string together billions of qubits or quantum bits, leading to the ultimate development of a highly efficient network of quantum computers.

The research has now shown a way to empower quantum computers by using programmable optical qubits or spin-photon qubits' that can connect quantum nodes across a remote network.

While explaining the significance of the research and the results it obtained, Kaushalya Jhuria, a postdoctoral scholar in Berkeley Lab's Accelerator Technology & Applied Physics (ATAP) Division, made the following remark:

To make a scalable quantum architecture or network, we need qubits that can reliably form on-demand, at desired locations, so that we know where the qubit is located in a material. And that's why our approach is critical. Because once we know where a specific qubit is sitting, we can determine how to connect this qubit with other components in the system and make a quantum network.

But how does the research achieve this objective? It does so by forming qubits in silicon with programmable control.

With support from DOE's Office of Science, the study used a gas environment to create programmable defects known as color centers in silicon. These color centers are candidates for spin photon qubits or special telecommunications qubits.

Quantum or qubit bit is a basic unit of quantum information. This smallest component of a quantum information system encodes data in 1, 0, or everything between them, which is known as superposition. Spin photon qubits, meanwhile, emit photons with the ability to carry information encoded in electron spin across large distances.

Now, to form these special qubits that can help support a secure quantum network precisely, the study utilized an ultrafast laser capable of emitting energy pulses in mere femtosecondseach pulse as brief as a quadrillionth of a second, targeted to an area no larger than a dust particle.

On probing the optical (photoluminescence) signals of the resulting color centers using a near-infrared detector with the purpose of characterizing them, the team found a Ci center, which is a quantum emitter. The Ci center has a simple structure and promising spin properties while being stable at room temperature, making it a pretty impressive spin photon qubit candidate that emits photons in the telecom or frequency band. According to Jhuria:

We knew from the literature that Ci can be formed in silicon, but we didn't expect to actually make this new spin photon qubit candidate with our approach.

Interestingly, increasing the femtosecond laser intensity when processing silicon in the presence of hydrogen can also increase hydrogen's mobility. This, in turn, passivates undesirable color centers while leaving the silicon lattice undamaged.

A theoretical analysis also confirmed the experiment observations that the brightness of the Ci color center can be enhanced substantially in the presence of hydrogen. As Jhuria explained, the laser pulses can not just kick out but also bring the hydrogen atoms back, allowing the programmable formation of desired optical qubits in precise locations.

Reliably making color centers is simply the beginning; now, the team wants to get different qubits to talk to each other and see which ones perform the best.

The ability to form qubits at programmable locations in a material like silicon that is available at scale is an exciting step towards practical quantum networking and computing.

Cameron Geddes, Director of the ATAP Division

The technique will next be used to incorporate optical qubits in quantum devices like waveguides as well as find new spin photon qubit candidates with properties optimized for selected applications.

The field of quantum computing has gained significant traction over the years, with researchers constantly working on finding new techniques to make it happen. Manipulating organic molecules is a field being studied for its potential application in quantum computing.

The team at TU Graz investigated how to stimulate competent molecules using infrared light pulses to create small magnetic fields. If this technique is further developed successfully in experiments, it can even be utilized in quantum computer circuits.

This is because selective manipulation of infrared light actually makes it possible to control the direction and strength of the magnetic field. Doing this converts molecules into high-precision optical switches, which can then even be used to build circuits for a quantum computer, according to Andreas Hauser from the Institute of Experimental Physics at TU Graz.

While interactions between molecular vibrations and spin magnetism are well-documented in microwave spectroscopy, this study proposes methods to actively excite molecular vibrations that generate a magnetic field at targeted locations.

When irradiated with infrared light, molecules start to vibrate due to the energy supply. Utilizing this phenomenon as the starting point, physicists started working on finding out if these vibrations could, in fact, be used to generate magnetic fields.

For their calculation, Hauser, along with his team, used metal phthalocyanines as an example. The team found that due to the high symmetry of these ring-shaped, aromatic planar dye molecules, they do generate tiny magnetic fields in the nanometre range (< 1 nm) when exposed to infrared pulses. Based on this, measuring the strength of the low but precisely localized field via nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy should be achievable.

Besides drawing on the work from laser spectroscopy's early days, the team also used modern electron structure theory on supercomputers to compute how macrocyclic phthalocyanine molecules act when exposed to light via circularly polarized infrared light.

The team found that circularly polarized light waves excite two molecular vibrations simultaneously at right angles to each other. Liking this to the rumba technique, Hauser explained:

The right combination of forwards-backwards and left-right creates a small, closed loop. And this circular movement of each affected atomic nucleus actually creates a magnetic field, but only very locally, with dimensions in the range of a few nanometres.

This is all just theoretical, though. The team will now work on proving that molecular magnetic fields can be generated in a controlled manner experimentally so that they can actually be utilized.

For the experiment, however, they need to identify a substrate that interacts minimally with the targeted processes since upcoming applications necessitate positioning the phthalocyanine molecule on a surface. Doing so, however, alters the physical conditions, which then impacts the excitation brought out by light and the magnetic field's characteristics.

So, before it can really be tested in experiments, the team has to first calculate the interplay between the deposited phthalocyanines, the infrared light, and the support material. If the experiment confirms the predicted changes in magnetic shielding constants, the study says, it can be seen as the first measurement of a magnetic field created vibrationally, with intramolecular resolution.

Click here to learn about Heron & Condor, the latest advancements in quantum computing.

There are several companies, such as Microsoft, Intel, and D-Wave, that are working on advancing quantum computing. IBM is a prominent name that has been focusing on quantum computing for many years now. Just recently, it partnered with Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) to help the latter produce a quantum computer containing 10,000 qubits before this decade is over. So, amidst all this development, let's take a deeper look at some other important names in the sector:

The tech giant has been putting a lot of effort into building quantum computers for the past many years. Back in 2019, Google demonstrated for the first time that quantum computers could run an algorithm that would be impossible for a conventional supercomputer to tackle.

Last year, Google's Sycamore quantum processor was presented with 70 qubits, a leap from its previous version's 53 qubits. This makes it about 241 million times faster and more robust than the previous model. Google's new quantum computer, meanwhile, simulates the behavior of magnets in great detail and can help us gain a deeper understanding of magnetism.

In regards to quantum computing, Google uses a full stack approach, which encompasses the seamless integration of hardware and software components. The company is currently running a 3-year, $5M global competition called XPRIZE Quantum Applications to advance the field of quantum algorithms.

With a market cap of $2.2 trillion, Google shares are trading at $177.08, up 26.88% YTD. It has an EPS (TTM) of 6.52, a P/E (TTM) of 27.18, and a dividend yield of 0.45%. For Q1 2024, the company posted revenues of $80.5 billion, up 15% YoY, while its operating margin expanded to 32%.

This technology company has also begun taking some concrete steps in quantum computing. Recently, Dell introduced a hybrid classical/quantum platform developed with IonQ. It also announced a collaboration with Aramco to explore advancements in quantum computing, AI, and edge computing. Together, Aramco and Dell aim to address complex challenges in the fields of energy optimization, weather modeling, materials science, and predictive maintenance through quantum computing.

According to Dell Technologies Ireland MD Catherine Doyle, quantum computing will also help in AI advancements as it becomes intertwined in the near future.

With a market cap of $100.74 billion, Dell shares are currently trading at $144.50, up 85.66% YTD. It has an EPS (TTM) of 4.36, a P/E (TTM) of 32.55, and a dividend yield of 1.25%. For Q1 2024, the company posted $22.2 bln in revenues and $60 million in net income.

Quantum computing has been a growing area of interest for researchers, organizations, and governments. Due to its ability to offer fast speed, enhanced security, more efficiency, accurate simulation, and improved analysis, it makes sense that there has been an increased focus along with continued research and investment, which may finally see quantum computing becoming a reality and finding its application across sectors.

Click here to learn about the current state of quantum computing.

Original post:
Building the Next Generation of Computers with Quantum Emitters and Infrared Lasers - Securities.io

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Quantum computing firm D-Wave is to deploy an on-premise computer at a customers facility in Alabama.

Announced this week, the company will be placing an Advantage system on-premise at a new site operated by defense company Davidson Technologies.

Building on the companies existing relationship, the QPU will be located at Davidsons new global headquarters in Huntsville and placed in a secure facility developed to run sensitive applications. Further details, including timelines for deployment, werent shared.

Davidson has a track record of embracing emerging and advanced technologies to address unique and critical national defense challenges and protect our nations interests, said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave. By placing an Advantage quantum computing system onsite at Davidsons headquarters and creating a unique environment for operation, were opening up opportunities to tackle the US governments most pressing computational problems.

Founded in 1996, Davidson Technologies provides software services to aerospace and missile defense customers, including weapon systems cybersecurity, software development, modeling and simulation, and AI offerings.

By housing the second US-based Advantage quantum computer at our facility in Huntsville, we will provide our government customers with unprecedented access to quantum computing technology in our facility, said Dale Moore, president of Davidson Technologies. Were honored to host a D-Wave Advantage computer and believe this will greatly advance quantums role in national security, as we support the critical mission of defending the US and its allies, both at home and abroad.

Initially accessible to all D-Wave customers located in select countries via the companys cloud service, D-Wave said the system may be exclusively dedicated to sensitive application development and operations once Davidsons secure facility is established.

The system will be the second US-based D-Wave Advantage quantum computer to be deployed. It is expected to become the first in the US certified for sensitive applications using annealing quantum computing.

D-Wave has a multi-year partnership with the University of Southern California (USC). Recently renewed, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering will continue to house a D-Wave Advantage quantum computer. The center has housed several generations of D-Waves quantum systems.

Like many other quantum companies, D-Wave offers access to its systems through its own cloud and public cloud providers, and sells hardware for on-premise deployments.

While cloud access is still the most common method of accessing quantum hardware, on-premise deployments are becoming more widespread, especially at supercomputing centers and universities. A small number have been deployed at colocation data centers and enterprise facilities.

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D-Wave to deploy on-premise quantum computer at Davidson Technologies' HQ in Alabama - DatacenterDynamics

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Insider Brief

Quantinuum which has been on a quantum AI and fault tolerance research roll this month report on yet another research development, this time detailing an advanced quantum error correction technique that the team says is pushing the industry ever closer toward practical quantum computing. The work also hints at the way the company is tying together its multiple research approaches from topological quantum computing to record-breaking fidelity that takes advantage of mid circuit measurementto quantum error correction to build quantum computers that can make calculations in spite of environmental noise.

This latest work, detailed in a company blog post and fully covered in a complementary research paper posted on ArXiv, focuses on the innovative technique of genon braiding to execute fault-tolerant gates using efficient codes.

The work aims right at quantum computings Achilles heel errors. In classical computing, hardware robustness and error correction methods like bit duplication make achieving fault tolerance relatively straightforward. However, quantum computing faces unique challenges. Quantum hardware is far more delicate, requiring precise control of quantum states, and the no-cloning theorem prohibits direct copying of qubits, the team explains.

Ilyas Khan, Quantinuum founder and Chief Product Officer writes in an email interview: One of the more interesting developments that I would highlight here is the emerging and very obvious point that theoretical ideas can only really be instantiated with full access to the metal and that real acceleration will benefit from an early push into genuine co-design. The Genon code is astonishingly impactful and we will be hearing a lot more about its ability to lift performances across the board, and this will be highlighted alongside all our other work in this field ranging from error mitigation all the way through to examining natively fault tolerant qubits that we create through the exploitation of our hardware and generate non-abelian anyons.

Genon Braiding: A New Approach

Quantinuums advance focuses on genon braiding a method thatleverages the unique properties of topological order to perform robust quantum operations.

In this braiding technique, researchers manipulate genons, which are twists or defects in topological codes. By braiding these genons around each other, logical quantum information can be encoded and manipulated fault-tolerantly, which then makes it easier to implement high-rate error-correcting codes and that, eventually, means less physical qubits per logical qubit.

This advance can significantly impact scaling, making quantum computers more practical and efficient, and demonstrates low overheads compared to quantum error correction approaches in the current literature, according to the team at Quantinuum, a full-stack quantum computing company formed from Honeywell and Cambridge Quantum in 2021.

The Theory Behind Genon Braiding

To take a step back: the research paper delves into the theoretical foundations of genon braiding. It explains that one of the main challenges in quantum error correction is balancing the protection of quantum information from errors with the ability to manipulate this protected information. Achieving this balance is essential for performing computational tasks, the paper notes.

The concept of genons or twists in topological codes plays a central role in this technique. Its also a point where the beauty of scientific discovery meets the efficiency of practical computational power, according to the team.

The scientists write in the post: What exactly genons are, and how they are braided, is beautiful and complex mathematics but the implementation is surprisingly simple. Inter-block logical gates can be realized through simple relabeling and physical operations. Relabeling, i.e. renaming qubit 1 to qubit 2, is very easy in Quantinuums QCCD architecture, meaning that this approach to gates will be less noisy, faster, and have less overhead. This is all due to our architectures native ability to move qubits around in space, which most other architectures cant do.

To dive deeper, the genons are associated with 3-valent vertices or three-pointed connections in topological codes and can be manipulated through braiding to perform logical Clifford gates. These gates are a set of operations that can be performed on encoded qubits within a quantum error-correcting code. They are important because they can be implemented fault-tolerantly, in other words they can function correctly even when there are small errors.

According to the scientists, genons are not arbitrary constructs but are derived from specific symmetrical properties in the quantum system, according to the paper. The team explains that genons arise from the properties of domain walls in topological order, which exhibit symmetry that can be exploited for fault-tolerant operations.

Practical Implementation on Quantinuums H1-1 Quantum Computer

Quantinuum has successfully demonstrated genon braiding on their H1-1 quantum computer, a trapped-ion device that allows for high connectivity through ion transport. This capability is essential for efficiently realizing the permutations required for implementing fault-tolerant gates without significant overhead, according to the blog post and the research paper.

The H1-1 device uses 20 ytterbium ions for physical qubits and 20 barium ions for sympathetic cooling, executing gates via stimulated Raman transitions with high fidelity. This setup enables the realization of genon protocols with minimal noise and high efficiency, showcasing the potential of genon braiding for practical quantum error correction, the team writes in their ArXiv paper.

Experimental Results and Proof-of-Concept

Quantinuums team conducted a series of proof-of-concept experiments on the H1-1 system. They demonstrated all single-qubit Clifford operations using genon braiding and performed two types of two-qubit logical gates equivalent to CNOTs. These experiments demonstrate that genon braiding works in practice and is complementary to and therefore enhancing well-understood codes such as the Steane code, according to the blog post.

The research also includes the construction of a symplectic double which effectively doubles the number of qubits involved allowing logical Clifford operations on the base code to be lifted to logical operations on the total code. This method enhances fault tolerance and demonstrates the versatility of the genon braiding technique, the paper states.

Implications for Quantum Computing

Scientifically beautiful and practically important theres still more.

The work demonstrates the importance of co-design, where error correction codes are tailored to specific hardware capabilities. Quantinuums approach leverages their unique hardware architecture to implement these advanced error correction techniques efficiently.

This is part of a larger effort to find fault-tolerant architectures tailored to Quantinuums hardware. Quantinuum scientist and pioneer of this work, Simon Burton, put it quite succinctly: Braiding genons is very powerful. Applying these techniques might prove very useful for realizing high-rate codes, translating to a huge impact on how our computers will scale,' the team explains in their blog post.

The Quantinuum Connection

There is some sense that the 370+ scientists and engineers at Quantinuum are engaged in a little scientific braiding of their own, tying multiple research strands from across the organization together to knit a multilayered approach to fault tolerance.

For example, this work is directly related to and inspired by Quantinuums prior research on non-Abelian anyons, which are particles that exhibit unique quantum statistics and are essential for certain topological quantum computing approaches. By leveraging insights from these previous studies, Quantinuum has been able to advance the understanding of genon braiding.

This new research also fits into Quantinuums broader effort in error mitigation and correction, showcasing their ongoing commitment to developing robust and scalable quantum computing solutions that can withstand errors and enhance computational reliability.

Quantinuum researchers involved in the work include Simon Burton, Elijah Durso-Sabina and Natalie C. Brown, who report to Khan.

For a fuller and more technical explanation of the work than this summary can provide, please review the paper in its entirety.

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Quantinuum's Genon Braiding Technique Adds Another Stitch in Company's Fault-Tolerant Research Tapestry - The Quantum Insider

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