Reviewed by Lexie CornerAug 30 2024
An international group of researchers from Fujitsu Limited and the Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology at Osaka University has announced the development of two new technologies for a space-time efficient analog rotation quantum computing architecture. These innovations are expected to significantly advance the realization of practical quantum computing.
The first technology improves the accuracy of phase angle adjustments during phase rotations, while the second automatically generates effective qubit operation procedures. With these advancements, Fujitsu and QIQB have demonstrated that a quantum computer could theoretically perform a calculation in 10 hours that would take a classical computer five years to complete.
The specific computation, which involved estimating material energy, was shown to be achievable with only 60,000 qubits—a much smaller number than typically considered necessary for fault-tolerant quantum computation (FTQC) to surpass classical computing speeds.
These findings suggest that the early-FTQC era, expected around 2030, could achieve quantum advantage, meaning quantum computers could solve problems faster than current classical computers for the first time.
Quantum computing is anticipated to accelerate technological advancements, such as the large-scale analysis of the Hubbard model for developing high-temperature superconductors, which could enhance the efficiency of electrical infrastructure, and material development breakthroughs.
The creation of a quantum circuit generator has been crucial in developing effective qubit operation protocols. This system simplifies the process of translating logic gates—fundamental components of quantum computing—into physical gates that control qubits. Additionally, the system incorporates acceleration technology, which dynamically adjusts qubit operation protocols to reduce computation time.
The two organizations first unveiled the quantum computing architecture on March 23, 2023. However, its practical implementation faced challenges, such as insufficient phase rotation accuracy and the lack of a physical gating process suitable for operating qubits for specific calculations. The newly developed technologies address these issues.
Fujitsu and QIQB aim to use their ongoing collaboration in quantum computing to tackle significant societal challenges, including decarbonization, reducing material development costs, and solving broader societal problems.
The study was funded by several programs, including the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the Program on Open Innovation Platforms for Industry-Academia Co-Creation (COI-NEXT), the "Quantum Software Research Hub" as part of JST Moonshot Goal 6—"Realization of a Fault-Tolerant Universal Quantum Computer That Will Revolutionize Economy, Industry, and Security by 2050." Additional funding came from the R&D project "Research and Development of Theory and Software for Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computers" and the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Quantum Leap Flagship Program, under the project "Development of Quantum Software by Intelligent Quantum System Design and Its Applications."