The new computer, accompanied by a quantum helpdesk, is intended to allow Swedish companies and researchers access to enable them to solve problems using quantum technology.
Under the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WACQT) initiative, since 2018 a large project to develop and build a Swedish quantum computer has been running at Chalmers University of Technology. The Chalmers quantum computer now has 25 quantum bits, or qubits. The target is 100 qubits by 2029 but, even with 25 bits, the problem has been that the machine is rarely available, as researchers are constantly working to develop it.
“We’re therefore going to build a copy of our quantum computer and make it available as a test bed for companies and researchers to run algorithms. Its purpose is to raise Sweden’s competence level in quantum technology and lower the threshold for using quantum computers,” explained Per Delsing, a professor at Chalmers and director of WACQT.
As a first stage, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation has granted funding of SEK 102 million for the test bed. Alongside the quantum computer, the test bed will have a support function, a quantum helpdesk, to guide users and help them boil down their problems to executable quantum algorithms. The testbed will also provide test equipment for companies that are developing quantum technology components.
“The idea is that users shouldn’t need much prior knowledge. It should be enough for a company to have a problem which they’ve heard might be solved by a quantum computer. The Quantum Helpdesk will help them from there,” said Delsing.
There are already several commercial actors abroad who have made quantum computers available via the cloud. However, WACQT’s test bed will be significantly cheaper for Swedish users.
“Another big difference is that we’re transparent with what’s under the hood of our quantum computers. That allows you to optimise the algorithms for the hardware, thus increasing the chance of successful computations,” explained Delsing.
In 2024, the test bed will open its equipment for testing components and the Quantum Helpdesk, while the quantum computer will open for running algorithms in 2025. Initially, the quantum computer will have 25 qubits, but will be upgraded to 40 qubits within a couple of years.
