Researchers on the Duke Quantum Center are spearheading an effort to develop a 256-qubit quantum pc, a system that might considerably outperform classical computer systems in scientific purposes. The undertaking, named Quantum Advantage-Class Trapped Ion system (QACTI), is funded by a one-year, $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Nationwide Quantum Digital Laboratory (NQVL) program. This initiative builds on the successes of the earlier Software program-Tailor-made Architectures for Quantum co-design (STAQ) undertaking, which laid the groundwork for this bold quantum computing endeavor.

The QACTI undertaking unites a workforce of collaborators from Duke, the College of Chicago, North Carolina State College, Tufts College, and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State College. Collectively, they’ll deal with technical challenges and discover options that pave the best way for beginning the development of a 256-qubit system in 2026. This quantum pc, based mostly on trapped ion qubits, may revolutionize problem-solving in fields which can be at the moment past the attain of classical computer systems.

Though the preliminary funding is comparatively small and is initially just for one yr, the undertaking has the potential to broaden into a bigger effort, with future funding rounds presumably rising the finances to $10 million per yr. This displays NSF’s broader imaginative and prescient for NQVL, which goals to speed up the event of quantum applied sciences by supporting progressive analysis and fostering collaboration amongst a various group of establishments.

The NQVL initiative additionally emphasizes the significance of workforce growth in quantum info science, making ready the subsequent era of researchers and professionals for rising alternatives in quantum computing, networking, and sensing, additional supporting U.S. management in quantum expertise.

For extra info, you possibly can entry a information launch posted on the Duke web site here.

August 30, 2024