Category Archives: Quantum Computing

Quantinuum in collaboration with Microsoft has made substantial progress in the field of quantum computing by dramatically decreasing quantum noise. This development is significant because it addresses a crucial hurdle in quantum computation: the errors caused by noise like temperature fluctuations, electromagnetic fields, and quantum decoherence. Overcoming these obstacles is essential if quantum computers are to outperform classical counterparts.

Describing the breakthrough, Quantinuum reported that their collaborative efforts with Microsoft have led to logical qubits with an exceptionally low error rate, suggesting that quantum advantage may be within closer reach than anticipated. Logical qubits, which are complex constructions made from several physical qubits, help in error detection and correction, and are a cornerstone of fault-tolerant quantum computing.

Microsoft, which has invested heavily in quantum technology, labels the achievement as Level 2 Resilient and is gearing up to integrate these advancements into Azure Quantum Elements for selective customers soon. Although it may still take an array of hundreds of logical qubits to achieve scientific strides and thousands for substantial commercial benefit, this milestone is setting the stage for that future.

Quantinuums statement highlighted over 14,000 successful experiments facilitated by Microsofts innovative qubit virtualization system, showcasing a remarkable stride in quantum computation.

In-field experts deem this advancement a significant stride beyond the NISQ (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum) era, though direct commercial benefits for cloud customers are yet to be realized. The quest towards a functional quantum supercomputer continues, yet this feat shines as a beacon indicating the path forward, beyond the current quantum limitations.

Quantinuum and Microsofts Leap in Quantum Computing

Quantinuums collaboration with Microsoft represents a notable advancement in the quantum computing industry by making a significant dent in the problem of quantum noise. The reduction of noise is a fundamental step towards the realization of a full-scale quantum computer that could far surpass the capabilities of todays classical computers. The industry itself, which includes key players like IBM, Google, and startups around the globe, is focused on overcoming hurdles like quantum decoherence, error rates, and scalability.

In this rapidly evolving market, Quantinuum and Microsoft have showcased their pursuit of quantum advantagethe point at which quantum computers outperform classical computers on significant and useful problems. With logical qubits achieving exceptionally low error rates, they suggest the potential for practical applications is drawing nearer.

Industry Outlook and Market Forecasts

The global quantum computing market has been forecasted to grow exponentially in the coming years. Analysts project that the market size will reach into the billions by the end of the decade, driven by anticipated advancements and the growing need for superior computing power in fields such as cryptography, materials science, pharmaceuticals, and financial modeling.

Challenges and Issues

While the decrease in quantum noise is a step forward, the industry still faces numerous challenges. Building a quantum computer requires maintaining qubits in a coherent quantum state, which necessitates extremely low temperatures and sophisticated error correction algorithms. Logical qubits are a product of this complexity, signifying a form of quantum error correction thats essential for designing practical, fault-tolerant quantum computers.

Moreover, the quantum computing industry is not just about hardware; there are issues related to the development of quantum algorithms, standardization, and creating a quantum-skilled workforce. On top of these, maintaining cybersecurity in a quantum future is another concern that researchers and industry stakeholders are actively addressing, given the potential for quantum computers to break current encryption schemes.

Despite these challenges, the progression of quantum capabilities is a transformative prospect for computing-intensive tasks. Industries including pharmaceuticals, aerospace, energy, and finance are particularly poised to benefit from quantum advancements, should problems like error correction and quantum noise continue to be addressed effectively.

In the wake of such scientific endeavors, services like Azure Quantum Elements aim to provide a bridge between cutting-edge quantum development and commercial accessibility. Microsofts commitment to integrating quantum computing with its cloud platform resonates with the trend of providing quantum as a service (QaaS), which will likely be the initial mode of access for many businesses.

In conclusion, while the journey towards a fully operational quantum computer continues, the progress made by Quantinuum and Microsoft is a shining example of the positive trajectory that the industry is on. As more milestones are achieved, the reality of quantum computings impact on multiple sectors grows increasingly tangible.

Leokadia Gogulska is an emerging figure in the field of environmental technology, known for her groundbreaking work in developing sustainable urban infrastructure solutions. Her research focuses on integrating green technologies in urban planning, aiming to reduce environmental impact while enhancing livability in cities. Gogulskas innovative approaches to renewable energy usage, waste management, and eco-friendly transportation systems have garnered attention for their practicality and effectiveness. Her contributions are increasingly influential in shaping policies and practices towards more sustainable and resilient urban environments.

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Quantinuum and Microsoft Leap towards Quantum Superiority with Noise Reduction Breakthrough - yTech

VANCOUVER, BC, April 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - BTQ Technologies Inc.(the "Company" or "BTQ") (Cboe CA: BTQ) (FSE: NG3) (OTCQX: BTQQF), a global quantum technology company focused on securing mission critical networks, is pleased to announce its partnership with the newly incorporated Australian Quantum Software Network (AQSN), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to pioneering advancements in quantum software development in Australia.

As a partner organization, BTQ Technologies is collaborating with AQSN to develop open-source quantum computing software, including quantum compilers and resource estimators. These tools are essential for the advancement of quantum applications, particularly in the areas of quantum error correction, overlapping with BTQ's existing project QByte, and algorithms for quantum enhanced communications.

Dr. Gavin Brennen, BTQ's Quantum Information Advisor, has been appointed as co-director of the AQSN, alongside Associate Professor Simon Devitt from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Professor Jingbo Wang from the University of Western Australia (UWA). This leadership trio is set to guide the AQSN towards becoming a pivotal entity in the global quantum landscape.

About Australian Quantum Software Network

The Australian Quantum Software Network (AQSN) links together researchers from universities, government, start-ups and corporations who are all at the forefront of research into quantum software and information. AQSN represents one of the largest collections of experts and technology pioneers in the world pushing forward the fundamental theory and software tools that will underpin the quantum economy of the 21st century. For more information please visit https://www.quantumsoftware.org.au/

AboutBTQ

BTQ was founded by a group of post-quantum cryptographers with an interest in addressing the urgent security threat posed by large-scale universal quantum computers. With the support of leading research institutes and universities, BTQ is combining software and hardware to safeguard critical networks using unique post-quantum services and solutions.

Connect with BTQ: Website|LinkedIn

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Olivier Roussy Newton CEO, Chairman

Neither the NEO nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

Forward Looking Information

Certain statements herein contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to the business plans of the Company, including with respect to its research partnerships, and anticipated markets in which the Company may be listing its common shares. Forward-looking statements or information often can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan" or "may" and the variations of these words are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information.

The Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the development of post-quantum algorithms and quantum vulnerabilities, and the quantum computing industry generally. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks which may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, expressed or implied, by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include risks relating to: the availability of financing for the Company; business and economic conditions in the post-quantum and encryption computing industries generally; the speculative nature of the Company's research and development programs; the supply and demand for labour and technological post-quantum and encryption technology; unanticipated events related to regulatory and licensing matters and environmental matters; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; changes in laws (including regulations respecting blockchains); risks related to the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, its impact on general economic conditions, the ability to obtain financing as required, and causing potential delays to research and development activities; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE BTQ Technologies Corp.

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BTQ Technologies Corp. Partners with the Australian Quantum Software Network to Advance Quantum Computing and ... - PR Newswire

Apr 04, 2024 12:08:00

Quantum computers, which are being developed for practical use in the future, are subject to the possibility of errors occurring in every step from setting the initial state of the qubit to reading the output at the time of article creation, greatly limiting what can be done. I am. On April 3, 2024, Microsoft and quantum computing company

Advancing science: Microsoft and Quantinuum demonstrate the most reliable logical qubits on record with an error rate 800x better than physical qubits - The Official Microsoft Blog https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2024/04/03/advancing-science-microsoft-and-quantinuum-demonstrate-the-most-reliable-logical-qubits-on-record-with-an-error- rate-800x-better-than-physical-qubits/

Quantinuum Partners with Microsoft in New Phase of Reliable Quantum Computing with Breakthrough Demonstration of Reliable Logical Qubits

How Microsoft and Quantinuum achieved reliable quantum computing - Microsoft Azure Quantum Blog https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/quantum/2024/04/03/how-microsoft-and-quantinuum-achieved-reliable-quantum-computing/

Microsoft and Quantinuum say they've ushered in the next era of quantum computing | TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/03/microsoft-and-quantinuum-say-theyve-ushered-in-the-next-era-of-quantum-computing/

Quantum computers basically use qubits to store and process information. However, physical qubits are prone to errors due to noise, so Traditional quantum computers are severely limited in their usefulness and practicality. To reduce these errors, advanced techniques had to be used to combine multiple physical qubits into reliable virtual qubits called 'logical qubits.'

When you enable logical qubits, you can increase the number of physical qubits to create powerful quantum computers that can perform longer and more complex calculations.

Now, by combining Microsoft's qubit virtualization system and Quantinuum's H2 ion trap qubit processor with a unique quantum charge-coupled device architecture, 30 physical qubits can be reduced to four highly reliable logical qubits. I was able to successfully combine them. Combining multiple physical qubits into one logical qubit allows systems to be protected from errors. According to Microsoft, the new logical qubit was able to run 14,000 independent instances without a single error.

Furthermore, it has been revealed that these logical qubits only cause an error once per 100,000 executions, reducing the error rate to 1/800 of the conventional method using only physical qubits. that's right. According to Jennifer Strubley of Quantinuum, this achievement of ``reducing errors from physical qubits by 800 times'' is the lowest error rate ever.

Microsoft commented on this result, saying, ``Enabling the noise canceling feature of headphones while listening to music while eliminating most of the environmental noise is similar to applying a qubit virtualization system.'' 'Improving error rates is similar to the silence achieved with high-quality noise-canceling headphones.'

On the other hand, the research team revealed that this logical qubit is still in the development stage, saying, ``In order to surpass conventional quantum computers, we need to correct individual circuit errors and create quantum entanglement between at least two logical qubits.'' 'We need to further expand the difference in error rates between logical and physical qubits, as well as the ability to

Still, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said, 'This is an extremely exciting milestone on the path to realizing the scientific and commercial advances that come from reliable quantum computing.' Leave a comment of praise.

'These results are a historic achievement and a great reflection of how our collaboration with Microsoft continues to push the boundaries of the quantum ecosystem,' said Ilyas Khan, founder and chief product officer at Quantinnum. With Microsoft's cutting-edge error correction capabilities, coupled with the world's most powerful quantum computers and a fully integrated approach, we are very excited about the potential for further advances in quantum applications, especially at large scale. We can't wait to see how our customers and partners benefit from Quantinnum's solutions as we move to advanced quantum processors.'

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Microsoft and Quantinuum announce development of next-generation technology that reduces 'noise' by 800 times ... - GIGAZINE

Invest in these quantum computing stocks now to see significant growth in your portfolio's value

The U.S. economy is poised for a positive future. The Federal Reserve plans to lower interest rates three times in 2024, and certain industries are already seeing a boost. The global quantum computing industry is expected to reach $6.5 billion by 2028. Were seeing improvements in digitalization, the emergence of technologies in the field and the brand-new prospect of artificial intelligence.With this industry growth comes a surge of the best quantum computing stocks to buy.

Investing now in the best quantum computing stocks to buy represents an exceedingly beneficial investment decision.

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Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) is an American developer of both semiconductor and quantum-oriented products, circulating cloud and data information. With a valuation of $1,318.73, AVGO has seen strong continual growth with a YOY valuation increase of 110.38%.

Last quarter, the company reported $11.96 billion in revenue, a substantial YOY increase of 34.17%. Similar successes were found in the earnings projections, with revenue and EPS beating estimates by 2.1% and 5.4% respectively.

Broadcom reaped the rewards of heavy investments from last quarter on its Investor Day, announcing two key events. First, Broadcom announced a new customer acquisition of a large-scale artificial intelligence customer, though they did not release the name. Further, AVGO demonstrated new infrastructure and AI potential upgrades taking place in the next few quarters.

Source: josefkubes / Shutterstock.com

Honeywell (NASDAQ:HON) is an American multinational corporation with expertise in quantum computing and aerospace. It is valued at $205.13, an increase of 9.12% YOY.

Over the past year, HON has shown strong financials including EPS Diluted Growth (YOY) at 16.51%, 105.98% more then the sector median of 8.01%. EPS GAAP Growth (YOY) was solid at 16.51% or 84.68% more than the sector median of 8.94%. Gross Profit Margin (TTM) was an impressive 37.28% which is 22.02% more than the sector median of 30.55%. Overall, these metrics indicate profitability, stability and growth indicating that HON has promising investment prospects.

HON recently acquired Civitanavi Systems S.p.A, an Italian aerospace company improving its autonomous operations. While this acquisition may seem to target strictly aerospace, HON has the capabilities to combine its quantum computing operations with aerospace. HON is already in the thick of its work via quantum computing and as the market is saturated with competition, it may look to combine it with aerospace creating a new component to the market. If these operations succeed, Honeywell is sure to seek a steep inflation via stock price prompting me to give it the Buy rating.

Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) is a technology company with specialties in the design and manufacturing of semiconductor chips and quantum computing. It has amassed a valuation of $42.57 which is 51.33% more YOY.

INTC experienced phenomenal financial success demonstrated by its EBIT Growth (FWD) of 9.47% which is 43.88% more than the sector median of 6.58%. Other metrics include EV / EBIT (TTM) which was an outstanding 6,705.35 or 29,307.64% more than the sector median of 22.80. EPS FWD Long Term Growth (3-5Y CAGR) was also incredible at 24.92% or 87.62% more than the sector median of 13.28%. Overall, these images illustrate financial success for Intel signaling that it is growing at a steady momentum while amassing a massive profit.

Intel has recently released a new chip that advances research for quantum computing greatly. This product boosts chip volume for academic institutions. It also assists Intel in its quest to expand in the quantum computing market. This innovation is major in the field and is sure to progress the research regarding quantum computing.

INTCs new chip paired with its already sound financials make it an ideal Buy for investors seeking the best quantum computing stocks to buy.

On the date of publication, Michael Que did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.comPublishing Guidelines.

The researchers contributing to this article did not hold (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.

Michael Que is a financial writer with extensive experience in the technology industry, with his work featured on Seeking Alpha, Benzinga and MSN Money. He is the owner of Que Capital, a research firm that combines fundamental analysis with ESG factors to pick the best sustainable long-term investments.

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The 3 Best Quantum Computing Stocks to Buy in Q2 2024 - InvestorPlace

Do you believe in the multiverse? our petite and cheerful guide Angelina asked me when I told her what I do for a living, while navigating the rambunctious streets of Hanois Old Quarter.

It was not a conversation I was expecting to have on a vegan street food tour in Vietnam, but as Angelina studies AI and VR (and as we are both avid Marvel fans), our chat took a turn down a dimensional rabbit hole.

I wonder what kind of questions she would have for the founders of Multiverse Computing a Spanish deeptech scaleup. It offers what it calls value-based quantum computing solutions (as opposed to scientifically interesting but not immediately offering commercially valuable applications, one would imagine). The company was just chosen as one out of 48 that make up the first cohort of the European Innovation Councils Scaling Club. Falling within the Next-Gen Computing category, Multiverse Computing develops quantum and quantum-inspired algorithms to utilise a combination of both current NISQ (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum) era devices and classical computers. So connecting two realms, in a sense.

Multiverses software platform, Singularity, connects to quantum computers on the cloud, but with a user-friendly front-end. The company says this makes quantum computing really easy for users who have no previous experience at all.

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Enrique Lizaso Olmos, CEO and co-founder of Multiverse Computing said that being included in the EIC scaling program was a wonderful recognition of our achievements so far and of the importance of quantum computing to Europe and the rest of the world. The company, which boasts 40% PhDs among its 100 employees along with 95 patents, has also developed CompactifAI. This, it says, is an LLM compressor, which makes AI systems more efficient and portable, reducing both size and retraining and inference costs.

Joining Multiverse Computing in the Next-Gen Computing category of the EIC Scaling Club are, among others, photonics startup QuiX Quantum, cosmic ray 3D-imaging company Gscan, and Dispelix, which develops waveguide combiners used as displays for extended reality (XR) devices. The other categories are:

Digital Security and Trust including federated learning platform Sherpa.ai, fraud prevention startup Threatmark, and cyber intelligence firm Quointellience.

Renewable Energies including rigid sail technology company bound4blue, wind-turbine makers Modvion, and wave energy system supplier CorPower Ocean.

Smart Mobility including teledriving software startup Vey, logistics optimisation platform Transmetrics, and the worlds first cargo drone airline, Dronamics.

The EIC (which has an overall budget of 10bn) will offer the selected companies support with fundraising, leadership mentoring, corporate partnership identification and matchmaking, media visibility, recruitment, and more. The aim of the programme is to build up to 120 deeptech champions.

Time is of the essence when building category leaders in the deeptech sector, and our goal is to accelerate our company members on their scaleup journey, co-founder and group managing director of Tech Tour, coordinator of the EIC Scaling Club, William Stevens said. A full list of companies chosen for the programme can be found here. None of them seem focused on researching the actual Multiverse though, so I will have to disappoint Angelina the next time we meet.

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Cosmic rays, XR, and 'multiverse' quantum computing welcome to EIC's deeptech Scaling Club - TNW

Quantum computing has the potential to change the data security landscape permanently. In as little as five years, it could make the most relied-upon encryption schemes ineffective making businesses vulnerable to breaches.

Quantum computing can make some of the most common data security measures ineffective. While experts havent reached a consensus on how soon it will happen, many agree it will become an issue within the next few decades.

While one cryptographer admits quantum computers could crack RSA encryption in as little as five years, they also acknowledge their figure is speculative highlighting the importance of proactive action.

Although the uncertainty surrounding quantum computings capabilities suggests businesses shouldnt concern themselves with the possibility of encryption schemes becoming vulnerable, the reality is much different.

Quantum computers streamline decryption. While a classical computer would theoretically take 300 trillion years to crack a 2,048-bit asymmetric key which is essentially equivalent to a 128-bit symmetric key its quantum counterpart could finish within seconds.

Where classical computers rely on binary digits to function, their quantum counterparts use quantum bits qubits instead. Rather than being either a one or a zero, they exist in both states simultaneously due to a quantum mechanical phenomenon known as superposition.

Unlike classical computers, quantum computers can solve complex mathematical equations foundational to encryption. Since superposition enables qubits to exist in two states at once, they can perform multiple operations simultaneously substantially increasing their speed.

Other quantum mechanical phenomena also come into play namely, entanglement and intentional interference. While one syncs qubits states regardless of their distance from one another, the other increases the probability of desired outcomes.

These factors make quantum computers much faster and more accurate than classic computers which is how they can crack standard cryptography algorithms exponentially sooner.

Quantum computings ability to crack the most common cryptography algorithms poses a problem for data security.

Data interception, manipulation and exfiltration will become more frequent as quantum computing advances. Businesses could face tremendous losses since a single breach costs over $4.24 million on average.

The main benefit of encryption is it renders stolen information unusable. For this reason, many businesses have confidence in their data security despite experiencing breaches. Alarmingly, quantum computing could enable threat actors to decrypt anything they still possess.

Cybercriminals often keep the encrypted data theyve stolen even though its unreadable in the hope it will be useful someday. If quantum computing enables them to suddenly interpret it, they could cause unfathomable damage to an untold number of unsuspecting businesses.

While many cybercriminals will likely use quantum computing to steal data, others will use it to intercept and view sensitive information. This way, they gather critical intel to launch successful man-in-the-middle, credential-based and malware attacks.

Only some businesses will have enough capital to invest in special-purpose equipment. Most will have to make sacrifices to maintain data protection for compliance purposes. Compensating for budgetary constraints will likely leave them with security gaps.

The infrastructure costs of special-purpose equipment and the likely uptick in attack frequency will contribute to shrinking cybersecurity budgets. Even if businesses can afford to contribute additional funds toward post-quantum security, it still limits their budgets flexibility.

Businesses can only reliably defend against quantum-computing-led cyberattacks and data breaches if they leverage special-purpose equipment most of which have high initial investment costs. Although increased cybersecurity spending may sound positive, seasoned business and IT professionals know it means increased scrutiny and less room for error.

Theoretically, most businesses wont be able to adequately defend against quantum computing attacks. These machines can crack 128-bit encryption one of the most common symmetric cryptographic algorithms meaning most businesses current data security is likely lacking. Even if they have other defenses in place, they may be unable to protect themselves.

Since quantum computers can crack a 128-bit encryption equivalent in mere seconds, businesses will have to rely on their other data security methods meaning human error, missed patches and security gaps will pose a much more significant risk. If threat actors enter a system or network, theres a nearly 100% chance they can use whatever information they can access.

A multilayered solution becomes increasingly crucial the closer quantum computing comes to cracking cryptography. Strategic businesses can maintain their security posture and protect their data.

Quantum key distribution leverages quantum mechanical properties to generate a cryptographic key, enabling two parties to encrypt and decrypt data securely. Additionally, some research suggests it can mitigate man-in-the-middle attacks like eavesdropping.

Post-quantum cryptography involves algorithms that are resistant to quantum computers. While the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is set to standardize four by the end of 2024, countless other researchers are developing their own.

Businesses that leverage quantum key distribution and post-quantum cryptography will have a better chance against quantum attacks. This combination outperforms classical encryption algorithms by 117%, according to one study.

IT professionals must make their storage systems inaccessible if quantum computing makes any accessible data forfeit to threat actors. The principle of least privilege minimizes insider threats and mitigates unauthorized access attempts, making it one of the best options.

Quantum computers are exorbitantly expensive, so common cybercriminals wont have access to one. The operating conditions alone make the technology inaccessible to them. For example, quantum processors must operate at -459 degrees Fahrenheit because qubits are extremely sensitive to vibrations. Classical computers are less valuable but can run at room temperature.

Moreover, a few experts have shed doubt on quantum computings decryption abilities. Some claim it would take 1 million qubits to reliably crack RSA encryption. Considering the largest existing machine has only a few hundred qubits, businesses shouldnt worry excessively.

Although various researchers claim theyve been able to crack strong RSA keys with a few hundred qubits, their machines arent precise enough to achieve reliable success. Relying on so few qubits means they would need a near 100% accuracy rate which even cutting-edge quantum computing technology hasnt achieved because theyre too sensitive.

Still, not every cybercriminal needs a quantum computer. Even if only a handful of individuals have one, they can do a massive amount of damage. Besides, cybercrime is lucrative more than enough threat actors would be willing to pay for access to crack a businesss encryption. Decryption-as-a-service is a possibility.

Additionally, the possibility of these machines cracking cryptography is concerning enough that NIST has stepped in and even held multiple rounds of competition and feedback to develop quantum-resistant algorithms. Although quantum attacks wont happen within this decade, the fact they have potential should prompt businesses to act.

Businesses must engage in preventive planning to protect their sensitive, personally identifiable and proprietary data from cybercriminals. Whether attacks become a possibility in five years or five decades, proactive action is critical.

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What Are the Implications of Quantum Computing for the Future of Data Security? - socPub

These three quantum computing stocks are worth buying in February 2024

Once people are done fawning over generative AI, investors might think, what will be the next big thing? The field ofquantum computingmay be just that. Quantum computing has the potential to solve complex problems that generally slow down classical computers, such as optimization, cryptography, machine learning, and simulation.

While quantum computing technology may still be in its infancy, investors desiring to invest in the up-and-coming technology should consider one of the following three quantum computing stocks with Strong Buy ratings from Wall Street analysts.

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D-Wave Quantum(NYSE:QBTS) is a well-established quantum computing company. In particular, D-Wave specializes inquantum annealing, a computing technique used to find the optimal solution for a given problem. The quantum computing firm has successfully built several quantum annealers withmore than 5,000 qubits, which allows greater potential for commercial applications.

D-Wave Quantum offers its quantum annealers and software tools through its cloud platform, Leap. QBTS also offers a suite of developer tools called Ocean, which helps users design, develop, and deploy quantum applications. The quantum computing company has a diverse customer base, includinggovernment agenciesand corporations. Most recently, D-Wavereleasedits 1200+ qubit Advantage2 quantum computing machine prototype. Those already subscribed to the D-Wave Leap platform can access the prototype and test out its capabilities.

Wall Streetanalysts expectD-Wave to generate more than $10.5 million in revenue at the end of 2023, representing a 47% YoY increase from the prior period. The market seems excited about D-Wave Quantums prospects. Shares have risen 117% over the past 12 months, and the company has a Strong Buy rating from Wall Street analysts.

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Advanced Micro Devices(NASDAQ:AMD) is a fabless chipmaker that initially made a name after dethroningIntel(NASDAQ:INTC) in the CPU market. AMD is now poised to challenge and siphon market share away from Nvidia in the AI space as the chipmaker prepares to enter the AI computing market in 2024. The chipmakerexpects to sell $2 billionin AI chips in 2024.

On top of tackling the artificial intelligence space, AMD has also made strides in quantum computing. The companys Zynq SoCs have been leveraged to create operating systems for quantum computers. Though AMDs quantum offerings are not a main line of business, as quantum computing becomes commercial, AMD will likely benefit from already having dipped its toes into the space.

Wall Street currently rates AMD as a Strong Buy, and the companys shares are likely to do well this year as its AI chips come to market.

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Rigetti Computing(NASDAQ:RGTI) is a pure-play quantum computing business that isvertically integrated. This means the company is involved in both designing and manufacturing its multi-chip quantum processors. Rigetti uses superconducting circuits as qubits fabricated on silicon chips and operating at near-zero temperatures. To deliver its quantum computing capabilities to clients, Rigetti leverages cloud service networks while also providing quantum software development tools as well as quantum hardware design and manufacturing.

In January, Rigetti Computingannouncedthe availability of its 84-qubit Ankaa-2 quantum computing system, which will be accessible through Rigettis cloud service. RGTIs shares have risen 53% over the past twelve months. As the company continues to make advancements in its product, shares could rise even more.

Wall Street analysts have given the stock a resounding Strong Buy rating.

On the date of publication, Tyrik Torres did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.comPublishing Guidelines.

Tyrik Torres has been studying and participating in financial markets since he was in college, and he has particular passion for helping people understand complex systems. His areas of expertise are semiconductor and enterprise software equities. He has work experience in both investing (public and private markets) and investment banking.

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Wall Street Favorites: 3 Quantum Computing Stocks with Strong Buy Ratings for February 2024 - InvestorPlace

This extreme fragility might make quantum computing sound hopeless. But in 1995, the applied mathematician Peter Shor discovered a clever way to store quantum information. His encoding had two key properties. First, it could tolerate errors that only affected individual qubits. Second, it came with a procedure for correcting errors as they occurred, preventing them from piling up and derailing a computation. Shors discovery was the first example of a quantum error-correcting code, and its two key properties are the defining features of all such codes.

The first property stems from a simple principle: Secret information is less vulnerable when its divided up. Spy networks employ a similar strategy. Each spy knows very little about the network as a whole, so the organization remains safe even if any individual is captured. But quantum error-correcting codes take this logic to the extreme. In a quantum spy network, no single spy would know anything at all, yet together theyd know a lot.

Each quantum error-correcting code is a specific recipe for distributing quantum information across many qubits in a collective superposition state. This procedure effectively transforms a cluster of physical qubits into a single virtual qubit. Repeat the process many times with a large array of qubits, and youll get many virtual qubits that you can use to perform computations.

The physical qubits that make up each virtual qubit are like those oblivious quantum spies. Measure any one of them, and youll learn nothing about the state of the virtual qubit its a part of a property called local indistinguishability. Since each physical qubit encodes no information, errors in single qubits wont ruin a computation. The information that matters is somehow everywhere, yet nowhere in particular.

You cant pin it down to any individual qubit, Cubitt said.

All quantum error-correcting codes can absorb at least one error without any effect on the encoded information, but they will all eventually succumb as errors accumulate. Thats where the second property of quantum error-correcting codes kicks in the actual error correction. This is closely related to local indistinguishability: Because errors in individual qubits dont destroy any information, its always possible to reverse any error using established procedures specific to each code.

Zhi Li, a postdoc at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Canada, was well versed in the theory of quantum error correction. But the subject was far from his mind when he struck up a conversation with his colleague Latham Boyle. It was the fall of 2022, and the two physicists were on an evening shuttle from Waterloo to Toronto. Boyle, an expert in aperiodic tilings who lived in Toronto at the time and is now at the University of Edinburgh, was a familiar face on those shuttle rides, which often got stuck in heavy traffic.

Normally they could be very miserable, Boyle said. This was like the greatest one of all time.

Before that fateful evening, Li and Boyle knew of each others work, but their research areas didnt directly overlap, and theyd never had a one-on-one conversation. But like countless researchers in unrelated fields, Li was curious about aperiodic tilings. Its very hard to be not interested, he said.

Interest turned into fascination when Boyle mentioned a special property of aperiodic tilings: local indistinguishability. In that context, the term means something different. The same set of tiles can form infinitely many tilings that look completely different overall, but its impossible to tell any two tilings apart by examining any local area. Thats because every finite patch of any tiling, no matter how large, will show up somewhere in every other tiling.

If I plop you down in one tiling or the other and give you the rest of your life to explore, youll never be able to figure out whether I put you down in your tiling or my tiling, Boyle said.

To Li, this seemed tantalizingly similar to the definition of local indistinguishability in quantum error correction. He mentioned the connection to Boyle, who was instantly transfixed. The underlying mathematics in the two cases was quite different, but the resemblance was too intriguing to dismiss.

Li and Boyle wondered whether they could draw a more precise connection between the two definitions of local indistinguishability by building a quantum error-correcting code based on a class of aperiodic tilings. They continued talking through the entire two-hour shuttle ride, and by the time they arrived in Toronto they were sure that such a code was possible it was just a matter of constructing a formal proof.

Li and Boyle decided to start with Penrose tilings, which were simple and familiar. To transform them into a quantum error-correcting code, theyd have to first define what quantum states and errors would look like in this unusual system. That part was easy. An infinite two-dimensional plane covered with Penrose tiles, like a grid of qubits, can be described using the mathematical framework of quantum physics: The quantum states are specific tilings instead of 0s and 1s. An error simply deletes a single patch of the tiling pattern, the way certain errors in qubit arrays wipe out the state of every qubit in a small cluster.

The next step was to identify tiling configurations that wouldnt be affected by localized errors, like the virtual qubit states in ordinary quantum error-correcting codes. The solution, as in an ordinary code, was to use superpositions. A carefully chosen superposition of Penrose tilings is akin to a bathroom tile arrangement proposed by the worlds most indecisive interior decorator. Even if a piece of that jumbled blueprint is missing, it wont betray any information about the overall floor plan.

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Never-Repeating Tiles Can Safeguard Quantum Information - Quanta Magazine

The fractional quantum Hall effect has generally been seen under very high magnetic fields, but MIT physicists have now observed it in simple graphene. In a five-layer graphene/hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) moire superlattice, electrons (blue ball) interact with each other strongly and behave as if they are broken into fractional charges. Credit: Sampson Wilcox, RLE

An exotic electronic state observed by MIT physicists could enable more robust forms of quantum computing.

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 on February 21 in the journal Nature.

A photo of the team. From left to right: Long Ju, Postdoc Zhengguang Lu, visiting undergraduate Yuxuan Yao, graduate student Tonghang Hang. Credit: Jixiang Yang

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.

The fractional quantum Hall effect is 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).

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 using optical 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.

Reference: Fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect in multilayer graphene by Zhengguang Lu, Tonghang Han, Yuxuan Yao, Aidan P. Reddy, Jixiang Yang, Junseok Seo, Kenji Watanabe, Takashi Taniguchi, Liang Fu and Long Ju, 21 February 2024, Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-07010-7

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

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Fractional Electrons: MIT's New Graphene Breakthrough Is Shaping the Future of Quantum Computing - SciTechDaily

Scientists have created an error-free quantum bit, or qubit, from a single pulse of light, raising hopes for a light-based room-temperature quantum computer in the future.

While bits in classical computers store information as either 1 or 0, qubits in quantum computers can encode information as a superposition of 1 and 0, meaning one qubit can adopt both states simultaneously.

When quantum computers have millions of qubits in the future, they will process calculations in a fraction of the time that today's most powerful supercomputers can. But the most powerful quantum computers so far have only been built with roughly 1,000 qubits.

Most qubits are made from a superconducting metal, but these need to be cooled to near absolute zero to achieve stability for the laws of quantum mechanics to dominate. Qubits are also highly prone to failure, and if a qubit fails during a computation, the data it stores is lost, and a calculation is delayed.

One way to solve this problem is to stitch multiple qubits together using quantum entanglement, an effect Albert Einstein famously referred to as "spooky action at a distance. By connecting them intrinsically through space and time so they share a single quantum state, scientists can form one "logical qubit," storing the same information in all of the constituent physical qubits. If one or more physical qubits fails, the calculation can continue because the information is stored elsewhere.

Related: How could this new type of room-temperature qubit usher in the next phase of quantum computing?

But you need many physical qubits to create one logical qubit. Quantum computing company QuEra and researchers at Harvard, for example, recently demonstrated a breakthrough in quantum error correction using logical qubits, publishing their findings Dec. 6, 2023, in the journal Nature. This will lead to the launch of a quantum computer with 10 logical qubits later this year but it will be made using 256 physical qubits.

For that reason, researchers are looking at alternative ways to create qubits and have previously demonstrated that you can create a physical qubit from a single photon (particle of light). This can also operate at room temperature because it doesn't rely on the conventional way to make qubits, using superconducting metals that need to be cooled. But single physical photonic qubits are still prone to failure.

In a study published in August 2023 in the journal Nature, scientists showed that you can successfully entangle multiple photonic qubits. Building on this research, the same team has now demonstrated that you can create a de facto logical qubit which has an inherent capacity for error correction using a single laser pulse that contains multiple photons entangled by nature. They published their findings Jan. 18 in the journal Science.

"Our laser pulse was converted to a quantum optical state that gives us an inherent capacity to correct errors," Peter van Loock, a professor of theoretical quantum optics at Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz in Germany and co-author of the Dec. 6 study, said in a statement. "Although the system consists only of a laser pulse and is thus very small, it can in principle eradicate errors immediately."

Based on their results, there's no need to create individual photons as qubits from different light pulses and entangle them afterward. You would need just one light pulse to create a "robust logical qubit," van Loock added.

Although the results are promising, the logical qubit they created experimentally wasn't good enough to achieve the error-correction levels needed to perform as a logical qubit in a real quantum computer. Rather, the scientists said this work shows you can transform a non-correctable qubit into a correctable qubit using photonic methods.

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Qubits are notoriously prone to failure but building them from a single laser pulse may change this - Livescience.com