Quantum as an accelerator for classical systems? ORNL publishes "manifesto"

This is a preview issue of Quantum Campus, sharing the latest in quantum science and technology from university campuses. We publish every Friday and are always looking for news from researchers across the country. Want to see your work featured? Submit your ideas to the editor.

Integrating quantum and classical supercomputers

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Lab released what they call a “manifesto” on potential strategies to integrate quantum computing with classical supercomputers. With a focus on scientific computing and an eye toward the role quantum superimposition may play in representing some problems more efficiently, the paper is now available in Future Generation Computer Systems.

“[I]t seems sensible at this stage to view the Quantum Processing Unit as an accelerator that speeds up certain demanding, exponential-scaling calculations in a scientific code. Other tasks can then be left to the classical computer, analogous to the CPU/GPU heterogeneous structure seen in modern leadership-class machines. Therefore, we are developing a broad framework for the integration of QC into HPC ecosystems, with a long-term goal of agnostic design relative to detailed hardware specifications,” the team said in their paper.

Read more from ORNL’s announcement.

New Quantum COmmons campus in Colorado 

After securing $40 million through the Biden administration’s Tech Hubs Program earlier this year, state, industry, and venture capital partners broke ground on a new quantum research park in suburban Denver. The 70-acre campus — formerly an oil-shale plant — will ultimately include clean rooms, labs, and offices.

Elevate Quantum, the consortium running the tech hub, is made up of colleges and universities in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming, as well as Colorado-based quantum companies like Infleqtion, Maybell, and Quantinuum.

Read more in an extensive story from The Colorado Sun.

Constriction junctions for easier qubit manufacturing

Researcher at Brookhaven National Lab showed that qubits that use constriction junctions can perform as well as those that use more typical SIS junctions. These architectures may allow for easier manufacturing without sacrificing performance.

Their article in Physical Review A looked at less-traditional superconducting metals to reduce the current traveling across a constriction junction to an appropriate level for a superconducting qubit.

“We’re excited about this work because it points materials scientists towards specific targets based on the device requirements,” lead author Mingzhao Liu said. “[I]t is possible to mitigate the concerning characteristics of constriction junctions. So, now we can begin exploiting the benefit of the simpler qubit fabrication process.”

Get the details in Brookhaven’s announcement.

Quantum pioneers

Quantum World Congress announced the winners of its inaugural Quantum Leadership Awards. They celebrate “visionary individuals and organizations driving transformative advancements in quantum science and technology.” Winners were:

• Jay Gambetta, IBM, “Industry Pioneer in Quantum.”

• Cathy Foley, Office of the Chief Scientist, Australia, “Government Pioneer in Quantum.”

• Jungsang Kim, Duke University, “Academic Pioneer in Quantum.”

Find out more from the Quantum World Congress.

Quickbits

• Boeing to test quantum entanglement swapping in orbit in 2026

• Department of Commerce implements export controls on quantum computing equipment and products

• Experiment shows that equations describing how reaction rates relate to temperature must be modified to apply in the quantum realm

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