HQS Quantum Simulations participates in AVaQus project to build alternative quantum computer
The AVaQus project, funded by the European FET Open grant, will receive 3M€ over 3 years to develop a superconducting coherent quantum annealer, an alternative to gate-based quantum computing, aiming to solve real-life optimization problems.
Karlsruhe, 25.04.2020. After a successful application, the European Union has awarded a grant to HQS Quantum Simulations, alongside two other quantum startups and five research institutes to build quantum annealer prototype. The kickoff is planned for October 2020 and will run until the end of September 2023, in the context of the Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) Open grant programme.
Quantum computing has been rising in popularity for a few years; since its inception there have been different approaches as to how to implement abstract algorithms onto quantum hardware. The approach that resembles most conventional computing is gate-based quantum computing: using logic gates with quantum effects is very similar in spirit to OR, AND, NOT operations, albeit following the tenets of quantum physics. Such a manner of conceiving quantum computing allows for a more straightforward conception of general purpose algorithms.
The approach investigated by the AVaQus project is quantum annealing, which does not depend on gates: the method consists in letting a quantum system evolve towards its least energetic state; the system having been prepared in such a way that it mimics the behavior of a desired problem. Then, the final result of the evolution is measured and by equivalence gives the expected solution. Quantum annealing can be applied to optimization problems and physical systems alike.
“We are very happy to participate in this project,” commented CEO Michael Marthaler. “This grant will allow us to study the fundamental hardness of simulating spin systems and potential mappings of material science problems to spin Hamiltonians.”
AVaQus is coordinated by the Institute for High Energy Physics in Barcelona, and successfully made its bid during the H2020-FETOPEN-2018-2019-2020-01 call for proposals, which put forth a total budget of more than 500M€. HQS Quantum Simulations participated as the quantum software partner during the call, and will develop applications based on solving spin problems. The parent programme, Horizon 2020, aims for industrially mainstream quantum computing in the next 15-20 years. Until September 2021, it remains in ramp-up phase.
About HQS Quantum Simulations
Founded in 2017 by physicists with a background in theoretical quantum computing and decoherence, HQS Quantum Simulations develops software simulating quantum systems for conventional and quantum computers, with the mission to provide companies and researchers with the ability to effortlessly switch their simulation workflow to quantum computers once they are available.
For more information, contact: press@quantumsimulations.de