Quantum computing may have just taken a big step forward, as a supercomputer facility in Australia became the first facility to integrate quantum computers into it. This quantum processor was developed by quantum brilliance, a German and Australian start-up company. It runs at room temperature and will now work with the classic supercomputer of Pawsey supercomputing research center.
By taking advantage of the weird world of quantum physics, quantum computers have the potential to significantly surpass traditional machines. They can calculate faster because the qubits of information can exist in multiple states at the same time, and the data can be transmitted instantaneously through quantum entanglement.
The problem is that most existing quantum computers use superconductors as their qubits, and superconductors can only work at temperatures slightly above absolute zero. This heavy-duty cooling device increases a lot of volume, cost and energy consumption, and limits the scope of use of these quantum computers.
However, quantum brilliance has developed a quantum computer processor that can run at room temperature. Its qubits are not made of superconductors, but of defects in the diamond lattice. It is much less sensitive to thermal vibration and more resistant to mechanical shock.
Now, the quantum processor has been installed at the Posey supercomputing research center in Perth, Western Australia. This marks the first time that quantum computers and traditional supercomputers are directly integrated into the rack, that is, Pawsey's new HPE Cray ex supercomputer: Setonix.
The facility will be used to test the hybrid model of quantum and traditional computing, allowing researchers to offload some computing tasks to quantum processors to take advantage of its unique advantages. It is hoped that this will not only directly promote new discoveries, but also help scientists who have not yet touched quantum computers better understand them.
"This will provide a test platform that can prove real applications, so our researchers can do more effectively -- make science and accelerate discovery," said mark stickells, executive director of Pawsey.