TRENDING underway. IBM is introducing a key interface to its quantum computers, a Quantum Networking Unit( QNU), which will enable extensible microwave-based link research and prototyping.
A goal for the proposed study with SQMS is to entangle two IBM quantum computers in separate cryogenic infrastructure, linked together by a microwave-based quantum network as an interconnected data centre demonstrator within five years. SQMS at Fermilab is a world leader in high-quality scalable microwave cavities and microwave transmission links.
Quantum-centric supercomputing explained
Quantum-centric supercomputing integrates classical and quantum resources into a cohesive system. Instead of treating quantum processors( QPUs) as isolated accelerators, QCSC merges them with CPUs and GPUs through shared infrastructure. This hybrid approach aims to enable computational performance that transcends the limits of any single technology, paving the way for breakthroughs in materials science, cryptography and fundamental physics.
IBM intends to explore avenues for research with SQMS on large-scale cryogenics, superconducting qubit noise sources, quantum interconnects, quantum computing applications for fundamental physics and quantum workforce development as part of the relationship.
To further scale how multiple, interconnected quantum computers could be linked in the future, IBM also hopes to work with Q-NEXT at Argonne on establishing efficient quantum networks through optical links connected to IBM QNUs. Here, the key technology gap is the realisation of an efficient microwave-optic transducer, a nonlinear optical device that converts the frequency of microwave photons up to the optical domain at a single-photon level.
computing Internet, where multiple quantum processors operate together as one system, ushering in key national strategic and business leadership.
To realise this vision, two primary areas of exploration are critical, which IBM is committing to work on with four of the NQISRCs: scaling towards a future quantum computing Internet and exploring algorithm development to drive real applications for scientific computing and beyond.
Scaling toward a future quantum computing Internet
The challenge of scaling towards a future quantum computing Internet lies in engineering a cohesive architecture that seamlessly links the elements of computing, communication and sensing. A critical first step is to demonstrate the extensibility of quantum computing networks, even within the data centre at the scale of metres.
IBM is embarking on exploring physically linked, disaggregated, cryogenically housed IBM quantum computers. As part of this effort, IBM is aiming to work with the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center( SQMS) at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, for which discussions are currently
The work under consideration with Q-NEXT thus addresses longer distances, at the scale of hundreds of metres to kilometres, enabling greater ranges than what would be studied under the prospective SQMS programme.
This hybrid architecture will play a foundational role in scaling toward the quantum Internet. It will allow quantum systems to communicate coherently across distance – an essential step for distributed quantum computing and national-scale quantum communication networks.
Exploring quantum algorithms and applications for scientific computing
As quantum computers mature, research is entering a new era of algorithm discovery. Researchers can now tackle the question of what quantum computers will be used for through empirical tests of heuristic algorithms on real-world problems. In parallel, rigorous verification is required to determine when quantum computers can outperform classical methods.
The next frontier of computation will leverage resources from quantum and classical computers to solve problems in novel ways. This will require innovation in algorithms that use quantum subroutines to accelerate
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