The rate at which quantum computing is hitting the media stream is ever-increasing. This piece is a compilation derived from The Shorts posted on The Qubit Report this week. Mea Cubitt
Business & Industry
QunaSys to participate in IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering (QCE21) | QunaSys researchers are deeply engaged in the event with an exhibit booth, a hands-on tutorial, and a panel: Source: FOX19NOW. QunaSys to participate in IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering (QCE21)…
Towards Transition to Quantum Computing | While quantum computing is expected to offer unprecedented computing speed and power it also poses new risks, as global competition accelerates. Source: iHLS. Towards Transition to Quantum Computing …
Three Firms Aid Rigetti Computing’s $1.5 Billion SPAC Merger | Cooley advised Rigetti Computing, a Berkeley, Calif.-based startup that aspires to build the world’s most powerful computers, on its go-public merger with a special purpose acquisition company. Source: Bloomberg Law. Three Firms Aid Rigetti Computing’s $1.5 Billion SPAC Merger…
Thales and Google Cloud Announce Strategic Partnership to Jointly Develop a Trusted Cloud Offering in France | Thales and Google Cloud today announced a strategic agreement to co-develop a sovereign hyperscale cloud offering for France. Operated by a joint company with Thales as the majority shareholder, it will meet the criteria of the French ‘Trusted Cloud.’ With this new offering, French companies and public sector organizations will benefit from all the power, security, flexibility, agility and sovereignty offered by the respective technologies of the two organizations. Source: MARKETS INSIDER. Thales and Google Cloud Announce Strategic Partnership to Jointly Develop a Trusted Cloud Offering in France…
Strangeworks Announces General Availability of Quantum R&D Focused “Backstage Pass” and New Credit Program for Quantum Hardware | Strangeworks, a global leader in quantum computing software, today announced its latest initiative to support the research and development community in accessing the very latest the industry has to offer. The Strangeworks Backstage Pass program helps developers and researchers to accelerate R&D in quantum computing across research, government and commercial organizations. Members of the program will have access to the newest technology available from Strangeworks’ own internal development team and their Quantum Syndicate members. Source: yahoo!finance. Strangeworks Announces General Availability of Quantum R&D Focused “Backstage Pass” and New Credit Program for Quantum Hardware…
SPAC news: Quantum startup Rigetti Computing to go public; IX Acquisition looks for $200m | Quantum computing startup Rigetti Computing plans to go public via a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) merger. SPACs are shell companies that list on the stock market with the intention of acquiring companies that wish to go public quicker than the traditional IPO process. Source: DCD. SPAC news: Quantum startup Rigetti Computing to go public; IX Acquisition looks for $200m…
Softbank Leads $50M Series C Funding for Cornami to Bring Real-Time Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) to Market | Cornami, Inc. – Cornami (named for a “tsunami of cores”) announced today it has completed an early close to its currently over-subscribed $50M Series C financing led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 to bring Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) to market. Others participating in this round include institutional investors as well as other existing investors and insiders. Source: VentureBeat. Softbank Leads $50M Series C Funding for Cornami to Bring Real-Time Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) to Market…
Samsung Gains A Foothold In Next-Generation Computers With IonQ’s U.S. Listing | U.S.-based quantum-computing startup IonQ listed on the New York Stock Exchange last week after merging with a SPAC. The deal, which raised $635 million, made IonQ the first quantum-computing company to go public. It also marked a major step forward for Korean conglomerate Samsung into the era of next-generation computers. Source: Forbes. Samsung Gains A Foothold In Next-Generation Computers With IonQ’s U.S. Listing…
RIT, photonic company build quantum chip prototype to bridge quantum and traditional network bands | Quantum computing just became more entangled. Researchers from Rochester Institute of Technology and national photonic device company, AdvR Inc., built a quantum chip prototype that is bridging today’s traditional fiber optic networks with the future—quantum computing networks. Source: Rochester Institute of Technology. RIT, photonic company build quantum chip prototype to bridge quantum and traditional network bands…
Quantum AI: Are We Ready? | Several others were with him on the panel: Chris Fall, Ph.D., senior adviser, president’s office, Center for Strategic and International Studies; Scott Friedman, senior policy adviser, House Homeland Security Committee; Allison Schwartz, global government relations and public affairs leader, D-Wave Systems; and Kate Weber, Ph.D., policy lead for quantum, robotics, and fundamental research, Google. Source: Datamation. Quantum AI: Are We Ready?…
Kitty Q teaches children about quantum mechanics, kitchen physics experiments, Emmy Noether takes on Baron Munchausen | Some parents would probably baulk at the idea of teaching their 11-year-old about quantum mechanics, but here at Physics World we believe that it’s never too early to ponder the weirdness of the quantum world. Indeed, children tend to have fewer preconceptions about the world around them, so starting young could make them “quantum native” and destined for a lucrative career in quantum technology. Source: physicsworld. Kitty Q teaches children about quantum mechanics, kitchen physics experiments, Emmy Noether takes on Baron Munchausen…
Global Industry Analysts Predicts the World Spintronics Market to Reach $7.9 Billion by 2026 | A new market study published by Global Industry Analysts Inc., (GIA) the premier market research company, today released its report titled “Spintronics – Global Market Trajectory & Analytics”. The report presents fresh perspectives on opportunities and challenges in a significantly transformed post COVID-19 marketplace. Source: WFMZ-TV. Global Industry Analysts Predicts the World Spintronics Market to Reach $7.9 Billion by 2026…
Full-stack quantum computing pioneer in SPAC deal | Scalable quantum processor technology company Rigetti Computing has announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, Ltd. (NYSE:SNII), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). Source: Smart2.0. Full-stack quantum computing pioneer in SPAC deal…
British firm claims quantum-computing breakthrough | Source: yahoo!news. British firm claims quantum-computing breakthrough…
BIG Quantum Hackathon: GENCI Supports Quantum Computing’s Uptake in France | The development and the use of quantum technologies are a major growing challenge at national, European and international levels. In this context, GENCI (Grand Équipement National de Calcul Intensif) is contributing to the adoption of quantum technologies to help France achieving the objective set by the President of the Republic on 21 January 2021 when announcing the French National Quantum Plan: “to place France in the first circle of countries that master quantum technologies.” Source: HPCwire. BIG Quantum Hackathon: GENCI Supports Quantum Computing’s Uptake in France…
Cybersecurity & Cryptography
XSOC CORP’s ‘XSOC Cryptosystem’ is Awarded FIPS 140-2 Certification | The XSOC Cryptosystem provides, developers and organizations now have access to one of the most effective data security tools ever developed and leads the data protection and encryption space based on its distinctive strength and speed characteristics. In addition, its small compact size and operational efficiency also classify it as “lightweight” encryption. This combination of strength, speed and “lightweight” efficiency make it the perfect choice for those looking for further leverage encryption in the environment or looking to upgrade or migrate to Quantum-Safe alternatives. Source: businesswire. XSOC CORP’s ‘XSOC Cryptosystem’ is Awarded FIPS 140-2 Certification…
Under Quantum Lock And Key | When it comes to securing privacy, you have to sometimes fight fire with fire. Currently, our online transactions and sensitive data are secured by public keys, which can be thought of as large numbers that are ‘unlocked’ by calculating their prime number factors. Source: ASIANSCIENTIST. Under Quantum Lock And Key…
Quantum computing could kill what blockchain stands for, but has a UK startup found a way to save it? | With global tech giants and startups aplenty racing towards a quantum future, quantum technology represents everything that’s great about innovation and progression. Being able to solve complex calculations tens of millions of times faster than current computers unlocks tantalising possibilities, from eradicating disease to more acutely understanding climate change. Source: Maddyness. Quantum computing could kill what blockchain stands for, but has a UK startup found a way to save it?
Post-Quantum Cryptography: Protecting Today from Tomorrow | The race is on worldwide between data privacy and those criminal and state-sponsored hackers wishing to extirpate the protection of secrets—personal, governmental, and industrial. The threat comes from an ability to crack today’s public-key encryption using future quantum computers. Source: COMMUNICATIONS OF THE ACM. Post-Quantum Cryptography: Protecting Today from Tomorrow…
Post-Quantum Cryptography | The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in partnership with the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has released a roadmap to help organizations protect their data and systems and to reduce risks related to the advancement of quantum computing technology. Source: Homeland security. Post-Quantum Cryptography…
NSA Cyber Chief Spells Out Near-Term Priorities | Ensuring the U.S. has next-generation encryption necessary for the post-quantum era and reversing the recent increase in fallout from ransomware attacks are among National Security Agency cyber officials’ top areas of focus in the near-term. Source: Nextgov. NSA Cyber Chief Spells Out Near-Term Priorities…
DHS Issues Roadmap to Help Organizations Prepare for Quantum Computing Threat | The Department of Homeland Security partnered with the National Institute of Standards and Technology in releasing guidance entities should implement now to protect themselves from the looming potential threat of quantum computing. Source: Nextgov. DHS Issues Roadmap to Help Organizations Prepare for Quantum Computing Threat…
Cybersecurity Perspective In Quantum Computing | Along with the immense promise of quantum computing come the enhanced security threats too. This has opened up a whole new field known as post quantum security. Source: electronicsforu.com. Cybersecurity Perspective In Quantum Computing…
Technology & Hardware
Researchers reach quantum networking milestone in real-world environment | A team from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Stanford University and Purdue University developed and demonstrated a novel, fully functional quantum local area network, or QLAN, to enable real-time adjustments to information shared with geographically isolated systems at ORNL using entangled photons passing through optical fiber. Source: PHYS.ORG. Researchers reach quantum networking milestone in real-world environment…
Quantum Simulation: Measurement of Entanglement Made Much Easier | In a few years, a new generation of quantum simulators could provide insights that would not be possible using simulations on conventional supercomputers. Quantum simulators are capable of processing a great amount of information since they quantum mechanically superimpose an enormously large number of bit states. For this reason, however, it also proves difficult to read this information out of the quantum simulator. In order to be able to reconstruct the quantum state, a very large number of individual measurements are necessary. The method used to read out the quantum state of a quantum simulator is called quantum state tomography. Source: SCIENTIST STUDY. Quantum Simulation: Measurement of Entanglement Made Much Easier…
Quantum networking milestone in real-world environment | A team from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Stanford University and Purdue University developed and demonstrated a novel, fully functional quantum local area network, or QLAN, to enable real-time adjustments to information shared with geographically isolated systems at ORNL using entangled photons passing through optical fiber. Source: ScienceDaily. Quantum networking milestone in real-world environment…
Nano-Sized Materials Point to Big Breakthroughs | NREL Researchers Are Studying Structures 10,000 Times Thinner Than Paper To Improve Solar Energy, Advance Computers, and Capture Energy From Unexpected Sources Source: NREL. Nano-Sized Materials Point to Big Breakthroughs…
Lagging hardware could hinder US quantum ambitions | Quantum industry representatives urged Congress to pass the CHIPS for America Act in order to develop the chips needed for quantum computing, during a White House summit Tuesday. Source: FEDSCOOP. Lagging hardware could hinder US quantum ambitions…
Is Neuromorphic Computing The Answer For Autonomous Driving And Personal Robotics? | If you follow the latest trends in the tech industry, you probably know that there’s been a fair amount of debate about what the next big thing is going to be. Odds-on favorite for many has been augmented reality (AR) glasses, while others point to fully autonomous cars, and a few are clinging to the potential of 5G. With the surprise debut of Amazon’s Astro a few weeks back, personal robotic devices and digital companions have also thrown their hat into the ring. Source: Forbes. Is Neuromorphic Computing The Answer For Autonomous Driving And Personal Robotics?…
WARPCOM demonstrates a 20km long QKD link at Quantum Tech Days in Lisbon | Headquartered in Lisbon, Warpcom is an ICT provider focusing on the development of solutions in the areas of Networking & Infrastructure, Collaboration & Customer Experience, Data Center & Multi Cloud and Cybersecurity & Public Safety. To support customers in preparing for the quantum era, Warpcom has established a partnership with ID Quantique, to include in its offer the implementation of quantum encryption solutions, using quantum key generators. Source: IDQ. WARPCOM demonstrates a 20km long QKD link at Quantum Tech Days in Lisbon…
Government & Policy
UW’s Scougale One of 65 Graduate Students Nationwide Selected to DOE’s SCGSR Program | One University of Wyoming graduate student will receive the opportunity to conduct research at the prestigious Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) with world-class scientists. Source: UW NAVIGATION. UW’s Scougale One of 65 Graduate Students Nationwide Selected to DOE’s SCGSR Program…
The Future is Bright for Quantum in the UK | For those who have been advocating for quantum – by boosting academic research; spinning new startups out of seminar rooms and academic labs; and bolstering Government support – its emergence at the center stage is somewhat anticipated. Indeed, it’s the result of years of dedicated, hard work starting to come to fruition. Source: techUK. The Future is Bright for Quantum in the UK…
Submarines, industrial policy and frontier technology | Silicon Quantum Computing chief executive Michelle Simmons and Australia’s Ambassador to the United States Arthur Sinodinos are among the heavyweight speakers to join a special panel discussion on the industrial development opportunities of the new submarines program. Source: InnovationAus. Submarines, industrial policy and frontier technology…
Sanford Lab planning for long future with official DOE designation, next generation experiments | LEAD — As the Sanford Lab prepares a proposal to become formally recognized as a Department of Energy User Facility, scientists from all over the world met virtually to discuss a myriad of future experiments that would maximize the use of the entire underground space and solidify the future of the Lead facility for decades to come. Source: Black Hills Pioneer. Sanford Lab planning for long future with official DOE designation, next generation experiments…
NSA Renews Focus On Securing Military Weapons Systems Against ‘Capable’ Rivals | WASHINGTON: The head of the National Security Agency’s Cybersecurity Directorate said that one of his agency’s top priorities has become protecting US weapons systems from cyber threats, representing a shift in focus brought about by the rise of an increasingly multipolar world with highly capable cyber adversaries. Source: BREAKING DEFENSE. NSA Renews Focus On Securing Military Weapons Systems Against ‘Capable’ Rivals…
Japan PM Kishida spells out grand vision in policy speech with few specifics | TOKYO (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, laying out his grand vision for the country, borrowed buzzwords like wealth distribution, digitisation and climate change in his first policy address to Parliament on Friday (Oct 8). Source: TheStar. Japan PM Kishida spells out grand vision in policy speech with few specifics…
Get involved in techUK’s Quantum Commercialisation Week! | Call for insights: On 25-29 October techUK will be hosting its Quantum Commercialisation Week. We are looking for companies to share their insight and expertise from building a quantum-ready economy to nurturing skills and talent. Learn about how to get involved below! Source: techUK. Get involved in techUK’s Quantum Commercialisation Week!…
GAO Assesses National Strategic Computing Initiative Progress | The U.S. National Strategic Computing Initiative (NSCI), launched in the summer of 2015 by executive order (EE) of the Obama Administration, was intended to be an “whole-of-government” effort to nourish a robust, national HPC infrastructure. NSCI spelled out five objectives, including embrace of the already-started exascale computing initiative as well providing early recognition of the rising importance of data analytics (i.e. AI) in HPC. A year later (2016), the NSCI Executive Council, co-chaired by OSTP and OMB, issued a formal plan, which was then updated in 2020. Source: HPC wire. GAO Assesses National Strategic Computing Initiative Progress…
Science & Research
Time Crystals: “Back to Basics” Approach Helps Unravel New Phase of Matter | Researchers from the University of Cambridge used computer modeling to study potential new phases of matter known as prethermal discrete time crystals (DTCs). It was thought that the properties of prethermal DTCs were reliant on quantum physics: the strange laws ruling particles at the subatomic scale. However, the researchers found that a simpler approach, based on classical physics, can be used to understand these mysterious phenomena. Source: SciTechDaily. Time Crystals: “Back to Basics” Approach Helps Unravel New Phase of Matter…
Subtle spin: A novel study of quantum material proves theoretical predictions | (Nanowerk News) Researchers have discovered a hard-to-observe type of spin in a quantum mechanical system. In physics, a quantum mechanical system is a set of components that interact at the quantum scale. This is the realm of atoms and subatomic particles such as those defined in the Standard Model of Particle Physics. Source: nano werk. Subtle spin: A novel study of quantum material proves theoretical predictions…
Photon–photon collisions could shed light on physics beyond the Standard Model | A new way of studying matter that is created when photons collide has been developed by CERN’s Com Source: physicsworld. Photon–photon collisions could shed light on physics beyond the Standard Model…
Fujitsu and Osaka University Deepen Collaborative Research and Development for Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computers | Osaka University and Fujitsu Limited today announced the establishment of the Fujitsu Quantum Computing Joint Research Division as a collaborative research division at the Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology (hereinafter QIQB) of Osaka University. Source: FUJITSU. Fujitsu and Osaka University Deepen Collaborative Research and Development for Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computers…
Experiments Show Quantum Computers Can Be Better Than the Sum of Their Parts | Quantum computer experiments at UMD show that combining quantum computer pieces doesn’t have to mean combining their error rates. Source: SciTechDaily. Experiments Show Quantum Computers Can Be Better Than the Sum of Their Parts…
Distillation method strengthens quantum entanglement in a single pair of photons | Quantum entanglement is a valuable resource, enabling spy-proof communications and allowing quantum algorithms to be faster than classical ones. But like other quantum phenomena, entanglement is also extremely delicate and sensitive to environmental noise. Because many quantum communication protocols require high levels of entanglement to operate properly, preserving that entanglement is crucial. Source: physicsworld. Distillation method strengthens quantum entanglement in a single pair of photons…
Connecting the Dots Between Material Properties and Qubit Performance | Scientists performed transmission electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) at Brookhaven Lab’s Center for Functional Nanomaterials and National Synchrotron Light Source II to characterize the properties of niobium thin films made into superconducting qubit devices at Princeton University. A transmission electron microscope image of one of these films is shown in the background; overlaid on this image are XPS spectra (colored lines representing the relative concentrations of niobium metal and various niobium oxides as a function of film depth) and an illustration of a qubit device. Through these and other microscopy and spectroscopy studies, the team identified atomic-scale structural and surface chemistry defects that may be causing loss of quantum information—a hurdle to enabling practical quantum computers. Source: Brookhaven National Laboratory. Connecting the Dots Between Material Properties and Qubit Performance…
CAN WE SEE QUANTUM CORRELATIONS AT THE MACROSCOPIC SCALE? | One of the most fundamental features of quantum physics is Bell nonlocality: the fact that the predictions of quantum mechanics cannot be explained by any local (classical) theory. This has remarkable conceptual consequences and far-reaching applications in quantum information. However, in our everyday experience, macroscopic objects seem to behave according to the rules of classical physics, and the correlations we see are local. Is this really the case, or can we challenge this view? In a recent paper in Physical Review Letters, scientists from the University of Vienna and the Institute of Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences have shown that it is possible to fully preserve the mathematical structure of quantum theory in the macroscopic limit. This could lead to observations of quantum nonlocality at the macroscopic scale. Source: OAW. CAN WE SEE QUANTUM CORRELATIONS AT THE MACROSCOPIC SCALE?