By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry posted 19 Feb 2024
Quantum News Briefs: February 19, 2024:
Future Labs Capital Leads qBraid Investment Round to Further Expand Quantum Computing Leadership Position
Future Labs Capital, a venture capital firm specializing in quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, has made an undisclosed investment in qBraid, a leading quantum computing software platform based in Chicago. This funding will enable qBraid to expand its enterprise contracts and its presence in markets including Canada, the EU, the UK, and Japan, reinforcing its leadership in quantum computing hardware and software. The investment will also support qBraid’s team growth, facilitating larger strategic partnerships and accelerating its product development, especially in building out its quantum marketplace. Furthermore, this collaboration aims to leverage qBraid’s platform for launching new products by quantum company partners, targeting significant contracts, including those with the federal government, which is a major investor in quantum computing. Established in 2022, Future Labs Capital has a strategic partnership with MIT’s CSAIL, and its investment in qBraid, a company emerging from MIT accelerators, underscores its commitment to fostering innovation and redefining industry standards in quantum computing.
TU Darmstadt Researchers Count 1,000 Atomic Qubits and More for Quantum Processors
Researchers at TU Darmstadt have made a significant advancement in quantum computing by developing a quantum processor architecture that surpasses the 1,000 qubit milestone, marking a significant leap towards scalable quantum systems. This achievement, detailed in a study published in the journal OPTICA, utilizes optical tweezers formed by focused laser beams to manipulate over a thousand single-atom qubits within a two-dimensional array, overcoming previous limitations on qubit numbers due to laser performance. This innovative method, dubbed “quantum bit supercharging,” allows for the precise control and reassembly of up to 441 qubits into defect-free structures from an array of 3,000 trap sites, potentially paving the way for quantum computers to demonstrate their efficiency boost in various applications, from drug development to traffic optimization. Led by Professor Gerhard Birkl of the “Atoms – Photons – Quanta” research group, this breakthrough is celebrated as a first in the global quantum research community, with implications for significantly expanding the capabilities of quantum computing technology in the near future.
Researchers at Ulm University in Germany Find Diamond Quantum Memory with Germanium Vacancy Exceeds Coherence Time of 20 ms
Researchers at Ulm University in Germany have made a new advancement in quantum technology by developing a quantum memory with a coherence time exceeding 20 milliseconds, utilizing a Germanium vacancy (GeV) center in diamond. This innovation, published in Physical Review Letters, represents a substantial step forward in the quest for scalable quantum networks, leveraging the efficient spin-photon interface of group-IV diamond defects for quantum network nodes. The team employed a Dilution Refrigerator to mitigate phonon-induced quantum information loss and optimized pulse sequences to decouple from spin noise, extending the memory times crucial for quantum communication and computing. This achievement not only showcases the GeV center’s potential as a robust quantum network node but also sets a new standard for quantum memory performance, promising to advance the development of quantum networks and potentially revolutionize industries reliant on quantum technologies.
In Other News: Axios article: “Quantum computers move closer to the assembly line”
According to a recent Axios article, the quantum computing industry is moving from bespoke, made-to-order models towards a more standardized manufacturing process, marking a pivotal transition between research and production. This shift, exemplified by IonQ’s unveiling of a new 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility near Seattle, aims to democratize access to quantum computing hardware and accelerate the development of high-performance systems. Despite quantum computers still facing significant challenges, such as the need for millions of qubits to outperform traditional computers in specific tasks, efforts are underway to standardize components and architectures. Companies like IonQ and Rigetti focus on engineering and in-house fabrication to speed up innovation and reduce the size of quantum computing components, aiming for modularity to enhance computing power and error correction. This stage of development is crucial for putting existing hardware into more hands and fast-tracking research, with the industry also calling for more government support to advance further.
In Other News: Quantum Computing Report: “Podcast with Chris Ferrie, Quantum Author, Professor and Entrepreneur”
In a new podcast episode from HKA Marketing and the Quantum Computing Report, Professor Chris Ferrie emphasizes the importance of simplicity and clarity when discussing quantum technologies with diverse audiences, from young children to adults. In a recent episode, he shared insights on distinguishing genuine breakthroughs from hype in the quantum field. Ferrie, known for his accessible books such as Quantum for Babies and Quantum Bullsh*t, also revealed his involvement in a quantum startup, showcasing his commitment to demystifying quantum technologies and fostering a critical approach to evaluating advancements in the industry.
In Other News: Investor Place article: “3 High-Potential Quantum Computing Stocks With Huge Upside”
Quantum computing stocks, notably IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum, present significant growth potential, with each having the capacity to double or more in value, highlights a recent Investor Place article. IonQ sets itself apart by integrating its quantum systems across all major cloud platforms and boasts the world’s most powerful trapped ion quantum computer, achieving 35 algorithmic qubits ahead of schedule. This advancement positions IonQ to enhance applications like quantum machine learning. Rigetti Computing, despite its financial losses, maintains strong public sector connections and pioneers a hybrid architecture bridging classical and quantum computing, accessible remotely via cloud. D-Wave Quantum, focusing on quantum annealing, competes in a field where the dominant architecture remains to be seen, with its approach offering unique advantages. The rapid forecasted growth of over 32% annually in the quantum computing field underscores the high-upside potential of these stocks for investors.
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry is the Managing Editor at Inside Quantum Technology and the Science Communicator at JILA (a partnership between the University of Colorado Boulder and NIST). Her writing beats include deep tech, quantum computing, and AI. Her work has been featured in National Geographic, Scientific American, Discover Magazine, New Scientist, Ars Technica, and more.
- SEO Powered Content & PR Distribution. Get Amplified Today.
- PlatoData.Network Vertical Generative Ai. Empower Yourself. Access Here.
- PlatoAiStream. Web3 Intelligence. Knowledge Amplified. Access Here.
- PlatoESG. Carbon, CleanTech, Energy, Environment, Solar, Waste Management. Access Here.
- PlatoHealth. Biotech and Clinical Trials Intelligence. Access Here.
- Source: https://www.insidequantumtechnology.com/news-archive/quantum-news-briefs-february-19-2024-future-labs-capital-leads-qbraid-investment-round-to-further-expand-quantum-computing-leadership-position-tu-darmstadt-researchers-count-1000-atomic-qubits-an/
