Japan’s renowned scientific research institute, Riken, is making significant strides in quantum computing through its collaboration with Quantinuum. Riken aims to utilize quantum computing as an accelerator for traditional high-performance computing (HPC) applications. By combining various quantum computing and annealing technologies with conventional supercomputing hardware, such as Fujitsu’s A64FX-powered clusters, Riken is positioning itself at the forefront of quantum advancements.
Quantinuum’s H1 systems, developed in collaboration with Honeywell and deployed by Riken, employ trapped-ion quantum computing technology. These systems leverage electromagnetic fields to suspend charged particles, with qubits stored in each ion’s electric state. Riken’s H1 systems can handle up to 20 trapped ion qubits, capable of performing quantum operations using lasers in five different intention zones.
While it may seem that 20 qubits is a modest number compared to IBM’s Osprey system, boasting over 400 qubits, qubit count doesn’t necessarily equate to superior performance. Like processor cores, the efficiency of each qubit matters more. IBM recognizes this and is focused on building lower qubit-count quantum processors that can scale out with their Quantum-2 systems.
This collaboration is not Riken’s first venture into the quantum realm. Riken successfully installed Japan’s first superconducting quantum computer in partnership with Fujitsu in October. This system integrates 64 superconducting qubits to perform calculations on a scale that classical computers find challenging.
Both Quantinuum and Fujitsu’s systems are designed to complement existing supercomputers rather than function as standalone systems. Riken aims to accelerate the development of code that harnesses quantum computing as an accelerator for traditional supercomputers, similar to how GPUs are used today. The increasing number of qubits and improved fidelity in advanced quantum computers allows Riken to execute scientific applications conventionally operated on supercomputers, but with enhanced capabilities.
While practical quantum computing applications are still years away, companies like Riken continue to invest in this promising technology. Admittedly, a fault-tolerant system that consistently generates reliable results is likely a decade or more away, but that has not deterred organizations like Toyota, Hyundai, BBVA, BSAF, and ExxonMobil from dedicating resources to quantum computing and related technologies.
Riken’s partnership with Quantinuum places it in an advantageous position to further propel quantum computing advancements, ultimately unlocking new possibilities and breakthroughs in scientific research and computational capabilities.