Finland launches a 20-qubit quantum computer – development towards more powerful quantum computers continues
Press release 10 October 2023
Today, VTT launched Finland’s second quantum computer – a 20-qubit superconductive device. The quantum computer is a result of intensive joint technology development between VTT and IQM Quantum Computers, demonstrating the companies’ excellence in developing technologies to scale up quantum computers.
ESPOO, Finland (October 10th, 2023) VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and the European leader in building quantum computers, IQM Quantum Computers, have completed Finland's second quantum computer. The new 20-qubit quantum computer further strengthens Finland’s position among the countries investing into quantum computing. Finland completed its first quantum computer, a 5-qubit one, in 2021.
Finland announced its efforts in quantum computing development back in November 2020 with a total budget of EUR 20.7 million from the government to develop a 50-qubit quantum computer in 2024. In the coming years, the development will continue as the Finnish government has announced a total budget of EUR 70 million to scale up the quantum computer towards 300 qubits and quantum advantage.
Already in the current project, significant technology development steps have been taken that enable the scaling up of the now completed 20-qubit quantum computer to 50-qubits. VTT and IQM plan to complete the upgrade by the end of 2024.
"In Finland, we have always challenged ourselves and pushed our boundaries to innovate, claiming our spot in the international arena with science, technology, and other industries. We have set ourselves very ambitious goals to build three quantum computers in four years, relying on our domestic industry. Our first goal was to complete a 5-qubit quantum computer, and now we have reached our second goal of a 20-qubit quantum computer. Furthermore, development of a 50-qubit one is already underway,” says Antti Vasara, VTT’s President and CEO.
The CEO and Co-founder of IQM Quantum Computers Dr. Jan Goetz says: "We are proud of this moment. It is a pivotal achievement in our journey for our team, Finland, and the European quantum ecosystem. This is not just a testament to working with partners in the ecosystem, but also to our technological capabilities. The launch of the 20-qubit quantum computer represents a significant step, and we are now on track for the development of the next generation of processors with 54 qubits and more for customers. As IQM is a European quantum leader contributing to the strategic European agenda, we will continue to promote collaboration and engage various stakeholders to drive more investments in supporting the ecosystem in scaling up and becoming more competitive."
VTT and IQM have together made technological advances in the development of the 20-qubit quantum computer which make it possible to scale quantum computers and increase the number of qubits and computing power. This in turn enables solving increasingly complex, previously unsolvable problems faster, using quantum computers.
VTT’s Research Manager Pekka Pursula elaborates: “We have, for example, improved integration methods and signaling. We have also developed manufacturing and packaging methods that allow a greater number of qubits to be placed on a single silicon chip and to conduct their electrical signals at temperatures close to absolute zero. In the new quantum computer, there are 20 qubits on a silicon chip. However, we have managed to develop the integration methods to increase the number of qubits even further.”
The new 20-qubit quantum computer is located at VTT premises in Micronova, the national research infrastructure for micro and nanotechnology in Espoo in the south of Finland. Finland’s first 5-qubit quantum computer is also located in the same premises
For additional information:
Pekka Pursula, Research Manager
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
+358 40 738 4986, pekka.pursula@vtt.fi
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
VTT is a visionary research, development and innovation partner. We drive sustainable growth and tackle the biggest global challenges of our time, and turn them into growth opportunities. We go beyond the obvious to help the society and companies to grow through technological innovations. We have almost 80 years of experience of top-level research and science-based results. VTT is at the sweet spot where innovation and business come together.
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www.vttresearch.com, Twitter @VTTFinland, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram
About IQM
IQM is a pan-European leader in quantum computing. IQM provides on-premises quantum computers for supercomputing data centers and national research labs, and offers complete access to its hardware. For industrial customers, IQM delivers quantum advantage through a unique application-specific co-design approach.
IQM is building Finland’s first 54-qubit quantum computer with VTT, and an IQM-led consortium (Q-Exa) is building Germany’s quantum computer that will be integrated into an HPC supercomputer to create an accelerator for future scientific research. IQM has offices in Bilbao, Munich and Espoo and employs over 130 people.
More information: www.meetiqm.com
Media materials
Media kit with pictures can be found on VTT's website.
Pictures of the quantum computer launch event will become available on VTT's website on October 10th 8 AM CEST onwards.
Further information on VTT:
Kirsi Jaatinen
Specialist, Communications
+358 20 722 6757, kirsi.jaatinen@vtt.fi
www.vtt.fi