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In a new and exciting interview feature, AZoQuantum discusses the quantum race in Ireland with IDA Ireland Chief Technologist John Durcan. Welook at how research and development is being spurred within the region as well as John's ambitions and predictions for the future.

My name is John Durcan, and in my role as Chief Technologist in the Technology division for IDA Ireland, I work with many of the global technology companies, exploring new opportunities for R&D in Ireland and working to enhance industry and academic collaboration in new areas of research. My own background is in the area of Computer Science, and currently, my four key technology areas of focus are Machine Learning (ML)/Artificial Intelligence (AI), Semiconductors, Quantum computing and Cyber Security.

I am very much passionate about the latest trends in the technology landscape and quantum computing is poised to be one of the biggest trends at the moment, with new tools and developments emerging at pace.

Yes, there has certainly been significant progress in the field of quantum computing in recent years, particularly with hardware and algorithms. For example, in 2019, Google claimed to have achieved Quantum Supremacy by performing a computation that would normally take classical supercomputers thousands of years to complete. This was a major milestone that demonstrated the potential of quantum computers to outperform classical counterparts for specific tasks.

We are also seeing major technology companies and research institutions developing quantum processors with an increasing number of qubits, which is enhancing their capabilities. Late last year, IBM took the record for the largest quantum computing system witha processor that contained 433 qubits, and they announced a roadmap to build an error-corrected quantum computer by 2030.

Additionally, we have also seen advancements when it comes to quantum networks that hold the promise of unhackable communication and distributed quantum computing. In particular, were seeing the progression of quantum communication due to the development of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocols, which will enable the secure transmission of information and programs such as the EuroQCI (European Quantum Communication Infrastructure), which Ireland is involved in.

This gives access to industry and academia for R&D, thus providing great new opportunities for any company looking to access such a resource.

There has recently been a surge in research and development in quantum computing primarily because it offers the potential to solve complex problems that are currently beyond the capabilities of classical computers. This opens a world of new opportunities across all sectors of the industry.

As a result of this potential, we are witnessing breakthroughs in fields such as Cryptography, drug discovery, material science and optimisation. Operating on the principles of quantum mechanics, this technology utilises qubits to execute computations at unprecedented speeds.

Image Credit:solarseven/Shutterstock.com

Nevertheless, the global landscape of quantum computing is continuing to evolve in several countries including Ireland, which is positioning itself to build on the successful tech sector here. For example, in the startup world, we have a company called Equal 1 developing groundbreaking quantum silicon that integrates entire quantum computing systems onto a single chip and on the FDI side, Horizon Quantum Computing opened their first European office in Dublin with the focus on developing the software tools for the world of quantum computing.

Government-funded research groups are vital in the development of quantum computing, particularly in Ireland, which continues to enhance its position in quantum computing research and development. In November 2023, the Irish Government published a national strategy for quantum research.

The report Quantum 2030 A National Quantum Technologies Strategy for Ireland found that nine of the top ten global software companies and three of the top four internet companies have significant operations in Ireland. The report describes Ireland as being ideally situated to capitalise on quantum for industry, noting the potential for quantum technologies in computing, communication, simulation, and sensing.

The country boasts several research institutions, including Trinity College Dublin, which hosts the Centre for Quantum Engineering and Science. Theres also the Trinity Quantum Alliance (TQA) which was launched in 2023. The TQA is a collaboration with Trinity, Microsoft, IBM, Horizon Quantum Computing, Algorithmiq and Moodys Analytics; that brings together experts from research and industry for innovative projects in quantum science and technology, simulation, education, and computation.

The TQA is the catalyst for investment in quantum technology in Ireland with the ultimate goal to construct a vibrant ecosystem to the benefit of various industry sectors and it is already bringing in results. A great example of this involves Trinitys quantum physicists' collaboration with IBM Dublin, who have successfully simulated super diffusion in a system of interacting quantum particles on a quantum computer, which is the first step in doing highly challenging quantum transport calculations on quantum hardware.

Additionally, Ireland's Walton Institute, is also a hub for quantum research and innovation, also plays a pivotal role in the country's quantum leadership as it fosters quantum advancements.

Id say that the fintech sector will experience the most impact. Ireland has an opportunity to build on the deep technical expertise built up over the years. For example, we have Mastercard with their only European Tech Hub based in Ireland, who are partnering with corporate and academic players in Ireland and around the globe to explore quantum computing applications in financial and payment use cases. Fidelity Investments Ireland has built a quantum team in their Fidelity Center for Applied Technology lab in Dublin, a blue skies research lab that looks at future emerging technologies with a 510-year ROI timeframe.

We are starting to see collaborations across sectors such as IBM Research Europe Dublin and Mastercard Ireland working on a quantum subgraph isomorphism algorithm that could distinguish between money laundering schemes and legitimate business enterprises.

The life sciences industry is another sector that will most benefit from quantum. Currently, there is the idea that quantum will be able to help find new chemical compounds. The reason why quantum is wanted for this is because chemical compounds are quite complex when they are being built, and the complexities increase as the compounds grow. It would take months or years for a classical computer to monitor this process, compared to quantum, which should be able to do this in a much shorter period of time. We're starting to see this in drug discovery as well, with most recently seeing AI being used to help source new antibiotics.

The industry is also looking at the opportunities for quantum to help in material sciences, as it could be very relevant to the semiconductor sector. Theres a possibility that quantum can help look at these new materials for engineering, which in turn will help with superconductivity that is related to the high transfer of energy with lower energy loss.

Despite the remarkable advancements, quantum computing faces substantial challenges. Quantum states are delicate and easily disrupted by their environment, which can lead to errors. To help eradicate this, error correction codes and quantum error correction techniques, such as surface codes and topological qubits, are being developed to mitigate the impact of errors and increase the reliability of quantum computations.

Additionally, quantum systems exhibit interference phenomena, where qubits' superpositions interfere destructively or constructively, affecting computation outcomes. However, techniques to control and mitigate interference are currently being explored.

Regional Spotlight: The Quantum Race in Ireland

The development of quantum computing and the maintenance involved is costly, which is why research efforts also include how hardware costs can be reduced and resource allocation optimised. Also, building large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers is a significant challenge. To help overcome this challenge, quantum annealing, and trapped ion technologies are being explored to create scalable quantum architectures.

Quantum computing requires a specialised skill set. According to the World Economic Forum, more than half of quantum companies are currently hiring and they struggle to find people with the right skill set. Most current jobs are highly technical, and the only people trained in the field of quantum technologies are highly academic.

Educational programs and partnerships between academia and industry in countries like Ireland are helping to address the shortage of quantum experts. Currently, the IBM fellowship program in Ireland is aiming to achieve PhD status as this level of education is needed due to quantum still being relatively new. Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet, which works with industry to develop skills of the future, has developed two programs:

The most important factor in being able to accelerate the expansion of the current talent base is ensuring that the PhD programs are aimed at encouraging Physics students to move into the world of quantum and showing them that there is an academic path to follow, whilst increasing the number of sponsored PhD quantum research programs which I can see happening over the next couple of years. This should give enough time for degree and masters physics programs to start incorporating quantum.

One of the challenges with getting people to take up quantum computing is to do with the case of classical IT, data, and computer coding which all pay well and are much easier to get into, but it also creates an opportunity here in Ireland. Currently, the Software Development in Ireland industry is valued at 61.4bn and is ranked 2nd in the EU with 33,000+ Software Developers. If one started with just a 1% conversion through targeted programmes, this could give the potential of 300+ Quantum Software engineers to get involved from an early stage and help demonstrate the potential for industry use cases.

Quantum computing holds tremendous promise for solving complex problems and transforming various industries. As the field continues to advance, addressing challenges related to error correction, scalability, and workforce development will be essential.

I would say Ireland has a great opportunity to build on its strengths in technology, Fintech and Life science which are all key areas of interest for Quantum. We can for example, lead opportunities for collaboration across Europe by leveraging growing funding supports out of the EU, such as Horizon Europe and the Quantum Flagship.

When one looks at opportunities for new business, the European Scaleup Institute found Ireland has the highest concentration of High-Growth Firms (HGFs) and hypergrowers (in proportion to overall companies in the country), so perhaps we could see some of these in the world of quantum. It is an exciting time ahead.

More information is available at https://www.idaireland.com/.

John Durcan is Chief Technologist at IDA Ireland, the national investment development agency for Ireland.IDA Ireland partners with companies worldwide to provide financial assistance, on-the-ground support and advice to help them establish and transform their operations in Ireland.Durcans current key focus areas are artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, cyber security and the semiconductor sector. Please connect with him at[emailprotected]orwww.idaireland.com.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily represent the views of AZoM.com Limited (T/A) AZoNetwork, the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of the Terms and Conditions of use of this website.

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How is Quantum Technology Developing in Ireland? A Conversation with John Durcan, IDA Ireland - AZoQuantum

The Monetary Authority of Singapore has told the country's financial institutions to make sure they are prepared for the rising cybersecurity risks posed by quantum computing.

Experts predict that over the next decade cryptographically relevant quantum computers will start posing cybersecurity risks. These computers will break commonly-used asymmetric cryptography, while symmetric cryptography could require larger key sizes to remain secure.

A recent DTCC white paper warned that quantum computing could "create significant new risks for financial firms by making even the most highly protected computer systems vulnerable to hacking".

In an advisory to FS firms, MAS says this means the sector needs to attain 'cryptoagility' to be able to efficiently migrate away from the vulnerable cryptographic algorithms to post-quantum cryptography without significantly impacting their IT systems and infrastructure.

To help them prepare, the regulator says companies should be monitoring ongoing quantum computing developments; making sure management and third party vendors are up to speed on the subject; and working with vendors to assess IT supply chain risks.

Firms should be maintaining an inventory of cryptographic assets, and identifying critical assets to be prioritised for migration to quantum-resistant encryption, says the MAS.

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Singapore warns banks to prepare for quantum computing cyber threat - Finextra

The electron is the basic unit of electricity, as it carries a single negative charge. This is what were taught in high school physics, and it is overwhelmingly the case in most materials in nature.

But in very special states of matter, electrons can splinter into fractions of their whole. This phenomenon, known as fractional charge, is exceedingly rare, and if it can be corralled and controlled, the exotic electronic state could help to build resilient, fault-tolerant quantum computers.

To date, this effect, known to physicists as the fractional quantum Hall effect, has been observed a handful of times, and mostly under very high, carefully maintained magnetic fields. Only recently have scientists seen the effect in a material that did not require such powerful magnetic manipulation.

Now, MIT physicists have observed the elusive fractional charge effect, this time in a simpler material: five layers of graphene an atom-thin layer of carbon that stems from graphite and common pencil lead. They report their results today in Nature.

They found that when five sheets of graphene are stacked like steps on a staircase, the resulting structure inherently provides just the right conditions for electrons to pass through as fractions of their total charge, with no need for any external magnetic field.

The results are the first evidence of the fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect (the term anomalous refers to the absence of a magnetic field) in crystalline graphene, a material that physicists did not expect to exhibit this effect.

This five-layer graphene is a material system where many good surprises happen, says study author Long Ju, assistant professor of physics at MIT. Fractional charge is just so exotic, and now we can realize this effect with a much simpler system and without a magnetic field. That in itself is important for fundamental physics. And it could enable the possibility for a type of quantum computing that is more robust against perturbation.

Jus MIT co-authors are lead author Zhengguang Lu, Tonghang Han, Yuxuan Yao, Aidan Reddy, Jixiang Yang, Junseok Seo, and Liang Fu, along with Kenji Watanabe and Takashi Taniguchi at the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan.

A bizarre state

The fractional quantum Hall effectis an example of the weird phenomena that can arise when particles shift from behaving as individual units to acting together as a whole. This collective correlated behavior emerges in special states, for instance when electrons are slowed from their normally frenetic pace to a crawl that enables the particles to sense each other and interact. These interactions can produce rare electronic states, such as the seemingly unorthodox splitting of an electrons charge.

In 1982, scientists discovered the fractional quantum Hall effect in heterostructures of gallium arsenide, where a gas of electrons confined in a two-dimensional plane is placed under high magnetic fields. The discovery later won the group a Nobel Prize in Physics.

[The discovery] was a very big deal, because these unit charges interacting in a way to give something like fractional charge was very, very bizarre, Ju says. At the time, there were no theory predictions, and the experiments surprised everyone.

Those researchers achieved their groundbreaking results using magnetic fields to slow down the materials electrons enough for them to interact. The fields they worked with were about 10 times stronger than what typically powers an MRI machine.

In August 2023, scientists at the University of Washington reported the first evidence of fractional charge without a magnetic field. They observed this anomalous version of the effect, in a twisted semiconductor called molybdenum ditelluride. The group prepared the material in a specific configuration, which theorists predicted would give the material an inherent magnetic field, enough to encourage electrons to fractionalize without any external magnetic control.

The no magnets result opened a promising route to topological quantum computing a more secure form of quantum computing, in which the added ingredient of topology (a property that remains unchanged in the face of weak deformation or disturbance) gives a qubit added protection when carrying out a computation. This computation scheme is based on a combination of fractional quantum Hall effect and a superconductor. It used to be almost impossible to realize: One needs a strong magnetic field to get fractional charge, while the same magnetic field will usually kill the superconductor. In this case the fractional charges would serve as a qubit (the basic unit of a quantum computer).

Making steps

That same month, Ju and his team happened to also observe signs of anomalous fractional charge in graphene a material for which there had been no predictions for exhibiting such an effect.

Jus group has been exploring electronic behavior in graphene, which by itself has exhibited exceptional properties. Most recently, Jus group has looked into pentalayer graphene a structure of five graphene sheets, each stacked slightly off from the other, like steps on a staircase. Such pentalayer graphene structure is embedded in graphite and can be obtained by exfoliation using Scotch tape. When placed in a refrigerator at ultracold temperatures, the structures electrons slow to a crawl and interact in ways they normally wouldnt when whizzing around at higher temperatures.

In their new work, the researchers did some calculations and found that electrons might interact with each other even more strongly if the pentalayer structure were aligned with hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) a material that has a similar atomic structure to that of graphene, but with slightly different dimensions. In combination, the two materials should produce a moir superlattice an intricate, scaffold-like atomic structure that could slow electrons down in ways that mimic a magnetic field.

We did these calculations, then thought, lets go for it, says Ju, who happened to install a new dilution refrigerator in his MIT lab last summer, which the team planned to use to cool materials down to ultralow temperatures, to study exotic electronic behavior.

The researchers fabricated two samples of the hybrid graphene structure by first exfoliating graphene layers from a block of graphite, then usingoptical tools to identify five-layered flakes in the steplike configuration. They then stamped the graphene flake onto an hBN flake and placed a second hBN flake over the graphene structure. Finally, they attached electrodes to the structure and placed it in the refrigerator, set to near absolute zero.

As they applied a current to the material and measured the voltage output, they started to see signatures of fractional charge, where the voltage equals the current multiplied by a fractional number and some fundamental physics constants.

The day we saw it, we didnt recognize it at first, says first author Lu. Then we started to shout as we realized, this was really big. It was a completely surprising moment.

This was probably the first serious samples we put in the new fridge, adds co-first author Han. Once we calmed down, we looked in detail to make sure that what we were seeing was real.

With further analysis, the team confirmed that the graphene structure indeed exhibited the fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect. It is the first time the effect has been seen in graphene.

Graphene can also be a superconductor, Ju says. So, you could have two totally different effects in the same material, right next to each other. If you use graphene to talk to graphene, it avoids a lot of unwanted effects when bridging graphene with other materials.

For now, the group is continuing to explore multilayer graphene for other rare electronic states.

We are diving in to explore many fundamental physics ideas and applications, he says. We know there will be more to come.

This research is supported in part by the Sloan Foundation, and the National Science Foundation.

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Electrons become fractions of themselves in graphene, study finds - MIT News

Tech giant Apple has announced a significant upgrade to its iMessage platform, introducing a new encryption protocol, PQ3, in a proactive move to fortify its messaging service against potential advancements in quantum computing technology. The unveiling of PQ3 underscores Apples strategic response to the looming threat posed by future breakthroughs in quantum computing, which could render current encryption methods vulnerable to exploitation. The new protocol represents a comprehensive overhaul of the iMessage cryptographic framework, signaling a proactive approach to preemptively safeguarding user communications.

In a blog post released on Wednesday, Apple emphasized the proactive nature of its initiative, highlighting the complete reconstruction of the iMessage cryptographic protocol from the ground up. The company asserts that PQ3 will replace the existing protocol across all supported conversations throughout the year, ensuring enhanced security for users.

While Apple affirms the robustness of its current encryption algorithms and notes no successful attacks thus far, concerns linger among government officials and scientists regarding the potential disruptive impact of quantum computers. Quantum computing, leveraging the properties of subatomic particles, could theoretically compromise existing encryption standards, prompting tech firms to take preemptive measures to mitigate future risks.

A Reuters investigation conducted last year shed light on the intensifying competition between the United States and China in preparing for the advent of quantum computing, a phenomenon colloquially referred to as Q-Day. Both nations have ramped up investments in quantum research and post-quantum cryptography standards, amid allegations of intercepting encrypted data in anticipation of future vulnerabilities.

Acknowledging the imperative for early preparation, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency underscored the importance of preemptive measures in safeguarding data against potential threats that may emerge with the proliferation of quantum computing technology.

Apples deployment of PQ3 incorporates a novel array of technical safeguards aimed at mitigating the potential vulnerabilities posed by quantum computing advancements, reinforcing the companys commitment to data security and privacy.

Michael Biercuk, founder and CEO of Q-CTRL, a quantum technology company, lauded Apples proactive stance, characterizing it as a vote of confidence in acknowledging the transformative potential of advanced computing technologies and the imperative to fortify existing security measures against future threats.

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Apple Bolsters iMessage Encryption Amid Quantum Computing Threats - Telecom Lead

With the new update, Apple is introducing Level 3 security to iMessage, which uses advanced cryptography to secure messages at two levels, first when the conversation starts and then during the conversation itself. Encryption keys will change more frequently

In a move aimed at fortifying its messaging platform against potential threats from quantum computing, Apple has unveiled a groundbreaking cryptographic protocol for iMessage.

The new protocol, named PQ3, is meticulously designed to shield users from sophisticated attacks leveraging quantum computers. With the threat of quantum computing looming on the horizon, Apples initiative marks a significant step forward in securing digital communications. With the new update, Apple is introducing Level 3 security, which uses advanced cryptography to secure messages at two levels: when the conversation starts and while the conversation is happening.

The PQ3 protocol, revealed by Apple on Wednesday, represents a proactive measure to protect iMessage users from potential future breaches.

By incorporating quantum-resistant encryption, PQ3 aims to thwart any attempts by malicious actors equipped with quantum computing capabilities to compromise sensitive conversations. This development underscores Apples commitment to staying ahead of emerging security challenges in an increasingly digitized world.

Traditional encryption methods, although robust against conventional computing power, face vulnerabilities in the face of quantum computings immense computational capabilities. Recognizing this, Apples PQ3 protocol offers a preemptive defence strategy, ensuring the integrity of iMessage communications even in the face of future quantum threats.

The introduction of PQ3 follows a similar move by Signal, another leading messaging platform, which unveiled its PQXDH protocol last year. Apples PQ3, however, boasts enhancements over its predecessor, including dynamic key rotation to mitigate risks associated with compromised keys.

Acknowledging the collaborative effort behind PQ3s development, Apple cites rigorous reviews by its Security Engineering and Architecture teams, alongside assessments by esteemed experts such as Professor David Basin from ETH Zrich and Professor Douglas Stebila from the University of Waterloo. Furthermore, independent security consultancy has scrutinized the PQ3 source code, affirming its robustness against potential vulnerabilities.

The rollout of PQ3 is slated to coincide with forthcoming updates to Apples operating systems, including iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, macOS 14.4, and watchOS 10.4. This seamless integration ensures that iMessage conversations on supported devices will seamlessly transition to the new quantum-security protocol, providing users with enhanced peace of mind.

Apples pioneering PQ3 protocol represents a significant milestone in the ongoing battle to safeguard digital communications against emerging threats.

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Apple upgrades iMessage with new encryption protocol that can withstand hacking by quantum computers - Firstpost