New Swedish quantum computer to be made available to industry
A Swedish quantum computer is to become more widely available. A copy of the quantum computer at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden will be built using additional funding from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The new computer, accompanied by a quantum helpdesk, will allow Swedish companies and researchers to solve problems using quantum technology.
Under the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WACQT) initiative, since 2018 a large project to develop and build a Swedish quantum computer has been running at Chalmers University of Technology. The Chalmers quantum computer now has 25 quantum bits, or qubits. The target is 100 qubits by 2029 but, even with 25 bits, running quantum algorithms on the computer is interesting. The problem is that the machine is rarely available, as researchers are constantly working to develop it.
“We’re therefore going to build a copy of our quantum computer and make it available as a test bed for companies and researchers to run algorithms. Its purpose is to raise Sweden’s competence level in quantum technology and lower the threshold for using quantum computers,” says Per Delsing, a professor at Chalmers and director of WACQT.
As a first stage, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation has granted funding of SEK 102 million for the test bed. Alongside the quantum computer, the test bed will have a support function, a quantum helpdesk, to guide users and help them boil down their problems to executable quantum algorithms. The testbed will also provide test equipment for companies that are developing quantum technology components.
“The idea is that users shouldn’t need much prior knowledge. It should be enough for a company to have a problem which they’ve heard might be solved by a quantum computer. The Quantum Helpdesk will help them from there,” says Delsing.
There are already several commercial actors abroad who have made quantum computers available via the cloud. However, WACQT’s test bed will be significantly cheaper for Swedish users.
“Another big difference is that we’re transparent with what’s under the hood of our quantum computers. That allows you to optimise the algorithms for the hardware, thus increasing the chance of successful computations,” explains Delsing.
In 2024, the test bed will open its equipment for testing components and the Quantum Helpdesk, while the quantum computer will open for running algorithms in 2025. Initially, the quantum computer will have 25 qubits, but will be upgraded to 40 qubits within a couple of years.
For more information, please contact:
Per Delsing, Director of Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WACQT) and Professor at the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
per.delsing@chalmers.se, +46 31 772 33 17
Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology
- The Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology is a twelve-year, SEK 1 billion research effort aimed at taking Sweden to the forefront of the very rapidly expanding quantum technology field.
- Through an extensive research programme, the Centre aims to develop and secure Swedish expertise within the main areas of quantum technology: quantum computing and simulation, quantum communications and quantum sensing.
- WACQT’s main project is to develop a quantum computer that can solve problems that lie far beyond the reach of the best conventional supercomputers.
- Read more about the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology
Previous press releases on the Swedish quantum computer project
Caption: Opening the last stage of the dilution refrigerator for the quantum computer at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. A copy of this quantum computer will be built using SEK 102 million in funding from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, thus making the technology available to Swedish industry and Swedish researchers. Pictured: Hang-Xi Li, doctoral student and Giovanna Tancredi, research leader of the quantum computer project.
Images: Chalmers University of Technology | Anna-Lena Lundqvist
Mia Halleröd Palmgren
Press Officer
+46 31 772 32 52
mia.hallerodpalmgren@chalmers.se
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Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture.
With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.The EU’s biggest research initiative – the Graphene Flagship – is coordinated by Chalmers. We are also leading the development of a Swedish quantum computer.
Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.
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