Summary:
1. IBM and RIKEN have collaborated to deploy the IBM Quantum System Two in Japan, marking a significant milestone in quantum computing.
2. The system, powered by the IBM Quantum Heron processor, aims to enhance Japan’s post-5G information infrastructure and push the boundaries of quantum-classical integration.
3. The co-location of the quantum system with Fugaku supercomputer will enable research in areas such as materials science and algorithm design, contributing to the global pursuit of quantum advantage.
Article:
In a groundbreaking development for the quantum computing world, IBM and Japan’s national research institute RIKEN have joined forces to introduce the IBM Quantum System Two in Kobe, Japan. This marks a major step forward in the field, as it is the first such system to be installed outside the United States and beyond the confines of an IBM Quantum Data Center. The deployment of this system alongside Fugaku, one of the most powerful classical supercomputers globally, represents a significant achievement in the integration of quantum and classical computing technologies.
This initiative forms part of Japan’s broader strategy to enhance its post-5G information and communications infrastructure. Supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and funded through the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), this project falls under a national development program focused on advanced computing integration.
At the core of the IBM Quantum System Two lies the IBM Quantum Heron processor, a cutting-edge quantum chip boasting 156 qubits. With a circuit layer operations per second (CLOPS) rate of 250,000 – ten times higher than its predecessor, the 127-qubit IBM Quantum Eagle – the Heron processor significantly enhances operational fidelity and efficiency in quantum circuit execution. This processor also achieves a two-qubit error rate of 3×10â»Âł across a 100-qubit multilayer circuit, further improving performance.
The co-location of the new quantum system with Fugaku enables direct high-speed integration at the instruction level, providing a platform for quantum-centric supercomputing experiments. This setup facilitates the exploration of low-latency communication protocols between classical and quantum systems, the design of parallel workloads, and the development of advanced compilation libraries that optimize algorithm components based on each system’s computational strengths.
By housing the new quantum system at RIKEN’s Center for Computational Science (R-CCS), alongside Fugaku, researchers anticipate significant advancements in areas such as materials science, fundamental chemistry, and algorithm design. This strategic co-deployment is expected to drive research in cases where classical simulations are computationally challenging.
During the unveiling ceremony, IBM Vice President of Quantum, Jay Gambetta, highlighted the transformative potential of the collaboration, stating, “The future of computing is quantum-centric.” RIKEN President Makoto Gonokami and Dr. Mitsuhisa Sato emphasized the strategic goal of developing hybrid computing workflows that seamlessly integrate quantum and classical computing, aiming to create practical quantum-HPC hybrid processes for industry and the scientific community to explore.
The installation of the IBM Quantum System Two in Japan is set to accelerate the country’s quantum research initiatives and contribute to the global quest for quantum advantage. Recent breakthroughs in sample-based quantum diagonalization (SQD) by IBM and RIKEN researchers, as featured on the cover of Science Advances, demonstrate progress in modeling complex molecules without the need for fault-tolerant quantum hardware. This achievement signifies a significant step towards unlocking the full potential of quantum computing technologies.
