German-Australian manufacturer of quantum computing hardware, Quantum Brilliance has announced it is to be the commercialisation partner in a $17.5 million research project funded by the German government to develop a compact, scalable quantum computer demonstrator with spin-photon qubits leveraging synthetic diamonds.
Led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF, the goal of the three-year project is to develop a demonstrator that delivers low error rates and reliable operation at cryogenic temperatures so it can be used adjacent to classical computer systems.
Researchers believe the quantum processor will be able to calculate the results of highly complex quantum chemical reactions in the future, among other applications.
Quantum computing is the next step in miniaturisation in which data is stored and retrieved at a sub-atomic level. A qubit is the basic unit of information stored.
Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Spinning – Spin-Photon-based Quantum Computer based on Diamond project will include the participation of 28 experts from science and industry.
As a commercialisation partner, Quantum Brilliance will be providing input regarding the economics of producing the system and the broad, practical applications that will benefit from its development.
project coordinator and managing director of Fraunhofer IAF Professor Rüdiger Quay said: “The aim of our work is, among other things, to ensure reliable operation of such an innovative quantum computer and to create a peripheral system to make computing power available to a broad group of users, for example via cloud computing.”
To develop the quantum processor with spin qubits made of synthetic diamonds, nitrogen atoms (NV centers) are specifically implanted in the diamond lattice, according to Quantum Brilliance.
These act as computer nodes between quantum properties transmitted by light, laying the foundation for later scaling.
The first demonstrator model is planned to deliver up to 10 qubits, a later model with 100 qubits or more, while offering maximum connectivity and flexible configurability.
European Head of Quantum Brilliance Mark Mattingley-Scott said quantum computing was one of the key industries of the future – with a potential that is second to none.
“With its research landscape, local industry and the support of the public sector, Germany has the perfect conditions to be a leader in this promising industry.”
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