Quantum computer does something

Several huge organisations have bought D-Wave computers – including Google and NASA (Lockheed-Martin even up-graded its D-Wave system) – but, in a world where folk are having trouble quantum-coupling a handful of qubits, there remain questions over whether D-Wave’s are ‘proper’ quantum computers – whatever than might mean – and if someone would like to comment below and help Electronics Weekly on this one, please go ahead.

This particular act of computing has been published in Nature as ‘Observation of topological phenomena in a programmable lattice of 1,800 qubits‘, indicating that the computer has performed valid maths, however it did it.

According to the paper’s abstract: “Here we demonstrate a large-scale quantum simulation of this phenomenon in a network of 1,800 in situ programmable superconducting niobium flux qubits whose pairwise couplings are arranged in a fully frustrated square-octagonal lattice.”

“This complex quantum simulation of materials demonstrates that the programmable D-Wave quantum computer can be used as an accurate simulator of quantum systems at a large scale. It is a major step toward reducing the need for time-consuming and expensive physical research and development,” said D-Wave. “This new research comes on the heels of D-Wave’s recent Science Magazine paper demonstrating a different type of phase transition in a quantum spin-glass simulation. The two papers together signify the flexibility and versatility of the D-Wave quantum computer in quantum simulation of materials.”

According to D-Wave chief scientist Dr Mohammad Amin:  “This is a significant step toward reaching the goal of quantum simulation, enabling the study of material properties before making them in the lab, a process that today can be very costly and time consuming.”

The firm’s chips are made in a Cypress fab.