RIKEN and Fujitsu Limited have developed a 256-qubit superconducting quantum computer that will significantly expand their joint quantum computing capabilities. The system, located at the RIKEN RQC-FUJITSU Collaboration Center, located on the RIKEN Wako campus, builds upon the advanced technology of the 64-qubit iteration, which was launched with the support of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in October 2023, and incorporates newly-developed high-density implementation techniques. The new system overcomes some key technical challenges, including appropriate cooling within the dilution refrigerator, which is achieved through the incorporation of high-density implementation and cutting-edge thermal design.
This announcement marks a new step toward the practical application of superconducting quantum computers and unlocking their potential to grapple with some of the world’s most complex issues, such as the analysis of larger molecules and the implementation and demonstration of sophisticated error correction algorithms.
The organizations plan to integrate the 256-qubit superconducting quantum computer into their platform for hybrid quantum computing lineup and offer it to companies and research institutions globally starting in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Looking further into the future, Fujitsu and RIKEN will continue R&D efforts toward the launch of a 1,000-qubit computer, scheduled to be launched in 2026. For more information, see a longer press release on Fujitsu’s website.
At long last, a unified theory combining gravity with the other fundamental forces—electromagnetism and the strong and weak nuclear forces—is within reach. Bringing gravity into the fold has been the goal of generations of physicists, who have struggled to reconcile the incompatibility of two cornerstones of modern physics: quantum field theory and Einstein’s theory of gravity.
Researchers at Aalto University have developed a new quantum theory of gravity which describes gravity in a way that’s compatible with the standard model of particle physics, opening the door to an improved understanding of how the universe began.
While the world of theoretical physics may seem remote from applicable tech, the findings are remarkable. Modern technology is built on such fundamental advances—for example, the GPS in your smartphone works thanks to Einstein’s theory of gravity.
Scientists have developed a method for storing quantum information in a single dimension, thereby reducing decoherence, using chromium sulfide bromide.
Laser-cooled atomic gases, gases of atoms chilled to temperatures around absolute zero using laser technologies, have proved to be versatile physical platforms to study and control quantum phenomena. When these atomic gases interact with light inside an optical cavity (i.e., a structure designed to trap and enhance light), they can give rise to effects that can be leveraged to realize quantum sensing or simulate complex quantum systems.
Using atomic gases loaded in optical cavities, physicists have observed various intriguing effects, including self-organization phase transitions, characterized by the spontaneous arrangement of the gas atoms into ordered patterns, lasing and the preservation of quantum coherence. Generally, however, these effects are only observed for short times, as new atoms need to be reloaded in the cavity for them to be produced again.
Researchers at JILA, a joint research institute of the University of Colorado-Boulder and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, recently demonstrated continuous lasing that lasted hours using laser-cooled strontium-88 (88 Sr) atoms loaded into a ring (i.e., circular) optical cavity. Their paper, published in Nature Physics, could open new possibilities for the development of ultra-quiet lasers, as well as quantum computers and sensing technologies.
Since the beginning of time, man has been interested in what happens after death.
Although there are numerous traditional answers to this question, it’s possible that scholars have added countless more ideas merely to provide some variation.
According to Robert Lanza, M.D., death is just a doorway to an endless number of universes. Furthermore, according to Lanza, everything that may possibly happen in our lifetime has already happened. He continues by saying that death does not exist in these situations because all of these possibilities are happening at the same time. We only connect our consciousness to our physical bodies because of the energy that flows through our brains.
Scientists are working to send quantum information through existing fiber networks. This shift could save billions in infrastructure costs and speed up the arrival of quantum-powered technologies.
Unlike regular data, quantum communication sends information through single photons. These photons hold fragile quantum states that are easy to disturb. That makes sharing fiber lines with classical Internet traffic a serious technical challenge.
Classical signals, especially those powered by lasers, flood the fiber with light. This generates a kind of noise called inelastic scattering. One type, known as spontaneous Raman scattering, floods the line with stray photons that can drown out the quantum signals.
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