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IBM has put a Quantum Computer named IBM-Q in the Cloud
There are many simulation and optimization problems that are difficult or impossible to solve using your existing computing resources. You do not have a quantum computer, which may be able to solve them, and you do not expect your company to get one soon. You are not alone, but don’t worry IBM will let you use their quantum computing resources to make a start in formulating their solutions.
For years, quantum computing was little more than an idea that fascinated computer scientists. Now it is offering direct utility for researchers and engineers even before the promise of a large-scale universal quantum computer is fulfilled. The field of quantum computing is evolving at a remarkable rate, but there is still a long way to go before it reaches its full potential. Part of the challenge is the sheer scope of bringing these ideas to fruition.
IBM is offering a cloud platform called IBM Q, which has given users a way to utilize quantum computation without having direct access to a quantum computer. The hardware itself may not be plentiful (about 20 qubits), but that will allow you to understand how quantum computers work and more importantly how to formulate your problem for computation in such an environment. IBM has built a 50 qubit machine that not yet available to the public.
By introducing quantum computing services on the cloud, IBM has made it easier for individuals and groups to experiment with quantum applications in a real environment to better understand the property and performance of the hardware, as well as leading the way in developing quantum tools and software.
Now that a great deal of foundational work has been completed, IBM’s focus is on how to make this hardware accessible to all parties, along with the efforts to keep making incremental improvements. IBM is putting its hardware in the hands of people who can find practical uses right now, and that will shape the ongoing evolution of quantum computing.
IBM QISKit is a collection of software for configuring a quantum computer
QISKit is a collection of software for configuring quantum computers, mapping them to different devices, and running them on simulators and real hardware. QISKit lets developers conduct explorations on IBM’s Quantum Experience using a Python interface. This interface enables you to work with quantum circuits and executing them for multiple times. To get you started, IBM has provided example Jupyter Notebooks that demonstrate several standard experiments. This open source QISKit project lets you tap into the vast possibilities of quantum computing. This project enables you to conduct quantum explorations using Python scripts.
https://developer.ibm.com/code/open/projects/qiskit/
The QISKit project comprises:
- QISKit API: A thin Python wrapper around the Quantum Experience HTTP API that enables you to connect and execute OPENQASM code.
- QISKit SDK: Provides support for the Quantum Experience circuit generation phase and lets you use the QISKit API to access the Quantum Experience hardware and simulators. The SDK also includes example scripts written for Jupyter Notebooks.
- QISKit OPENQASM: Contains specifications, examples, documentation, and tools.
The IBM Quantum Experience team plans to continually roll out new tools and functions to make the kit more usable and robust. For developers, the Quantum Computing Age has started. It has increased the rate of research papers written using the IBM Q Experience. Enabling others to do research is one of the things of which IBM is most proud. It shows that the tools are useful and practical.
What does IBM get out of making its hardware available to users who would not otherwise be able to work with a quantum computer? Well, all of the learning from using quantum hardware would have been spread out across numerous labs. But, because of IBM Q, a repository of knowledge on quantum computing is being created to the benefit of all the users and IBM. Since 2016, more than 80,000 users have run more than 3 million remote executions on cloud quantum computing resources using QISKit. Additionally, more than 60 research publications have been written based on the technology. That means the lessons learned can be turned into improvements for everyone very quickly.
IBM is Expanding its Quantum Computing Community by Partnering with Several Startups
https://www.research.ibm.com/ibm-q/network/
In addition to the Q platform, which allows individuals to gain quantum computer experience IBM is partnering with universities and business organizations to accelerate the development of quantum computing applications. This partnership, called IBM Q Network, was launched in December 2017, which provides participating organizations, various levels of cloud-based access to quantum expertise and resources. It will also provide startups in the quantum computing race deeper access to APIs and advanced quantum software tools, libraries and applications, as well as consultation on emerging quantum technologies and applications from IBM scientists, engineers, and consultants.
In a recent web presentation, IBM announced that a number of startup companies are joining the IBM Q Network. Membership in the network will enable them to run experiments and algorithms on IBM quantum computers via cloud-based access. Additionally, these startup members will have the opportunity to collaborate with IBM researchers on potential applications, as well as with other IBM Q Network members.
These include:
Zapata Computing – Based in Cambridge, MA, Zapata Computing is a quantum software, applications, and services company developing algorithms for chemistry, machine learning, security, and error correction.
Strangeworks – Based in Austin, TX, Strangeworks is a quantum computing software company for designing and delivering tools for software developers and systems management for IT Administrators and CIOs.
QxBranch – Headquartered in Washington, D.C., QxBranch delivers advanced data analytics for finance, insurance, energy, and security customers worldwide. QxBranch is developing tools and applications enabled by quantum computing with a focus on machine learning and risk analytics.
Quantum Benchmark – Quantum Benchmark is a venture-backed software company led by a team of the top research scientists and engineers in quantum computing, with headquarters in Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada.
QC Ware – Based in Palo Alto, CA, QC Ware develops enterprise software solutions running on quantum computers. It has relationships with NASA and other government agencies. QC Ware won an NSF grant, and its customers include Fortune 500 industrial and technology companies.
Q-CTRL – Based in Sydney, Australia, Q-CTRL’s Black Opal platform gives the ability to design and deploy effective controls to suppress errors in quantum hardware before they accumulate, accelerating the roadmap to functional systems.
Cambridge Quantum Computing (CQC) – CQC is an independent quantum computing company combining expertise in quantum information processing, artificial intelligence, quantum chemistry, optimization, and pattern recognition. CQC designs solutions, such as proprietary platform independent compiler that will allow developers and users to benefit from quantum computing.
1QBit – Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, 1QBit builds quantum and quantum-inspired software designed to solve the most demanding computational challenges. The company’s hardware-independent platforms and services are designed to enable the development of applications which scale alongside the advances in both classical and quantum computers.
Initial IBM Q Network partners, members, and hubs announced in December 2017 include -- JP Morgan Chase, Daimler, Samsung, JSR, Barclays, Keio University, Honda, Oak Ridge National Lab, University of Oxford, University of Melbourne, Hitachi Metals, and Nagase. These organizations have cloud-based access to IBM’s quantum computing systems, as well as the opportunity to undertake research and development with IBM scientists, and engage in training and skills-building workshops with IBM.
Except for D-Wave, IBM has been the most aggressive of all the companies involved in quantum computing. That makes sense because quantum computing can be quite synergistic with some of IBM’s other focus areas including cloud computing, cognitive computing, and data analytics. It is expected that a number of other quantum computing companies will follow suit. However, IBM is gaining the first mover advantage.
About the Author
Asish Ghosh is a Control Systems Engineer with over 40 years of professional experience. He held various research, engineering, and consulting positions while working for ICI in England, The Foxboro Company, and the ARC Advisory Group in Massachusetts. His recent publications include “Dynamic Systems for Everyone – Understanding How Our World Works” a book on system science for engineers and the general public.