Quantum Computing Systems Achieving Quantum Practicality
Intel Labs is working to achieve quantum practicality, the transition of quantum technology from the lab to commercial quantum systems that solve real-world problems. With the help of industry and academic partners, Intel has made significant progress in realizing this vision.
Introducing Tunnel Falls
Tunnel Falls is Intel’s most advanced silicon spin qubit chip to date and marks the next step toward building a full-stack commercial quantum computing system. Intel is also making the chip available to the quantum research community to spur advancements in the field.
The new chip:
- Is Intel’s first silicon spin qubit device released to the research community
- Leverages Intel’s most advanced transistor industrial fabrication capabilities for greater scalability
- Was built for at-scale manufacturing using CMOS transistor technology
- Represents significant progress in creating a manufacturable and operationally reliable quantum chip
With Tunnel Falls, research partners can begin working on experiments and research instead of trying to fabricate their own devices, opening opportunities for a wider range of experiments, including learning more about the fundamentals of qubits and quantum dots and developing new techniques for working with devices with multiple qubits.
Quantum Computing Research
Quantum computing employs the properties of quantum physics like superposition and entanglement to perform computation. Traditional transistors use binary encoding of data represented electrically as “on” or “off” states. Quantum bits or “qubits” can simultaneously operate in multiple states enabling unprecedented levels of parallelism and computing efficiency.
Today’s quantum systems only include tens or hundreds of entangled qubits, limiting them from solving real-world problems. To achieve quantum practicality, commercial quantum systems need to scale to over a million qubits and overcome daunting challenges like qubit fragility and software programmability. Intel Labs is working to overcome these challenges with the help of industry and academic partners and has made significant progress.
First, Intel is leveraging its expertise in high-volume transistor manufacturing to develop ‘hot’ silicon spin-qubits, much smaller computing devices that operate at higher temperatures. Second, the Horse Ridge II cryogenic quantum control chip provides tighter integration. And third, the cryoprober enables high-volume testing that is helping to accelerate commercialization.
Even though we may be years away from large-scale implementation, quantum computing promises to enable breakthroughs in materials, chemicals and drug design, financial and climate modeling, and cryptography.
Intel Releases Quantum Software Development Kit
Intel Quantum SDK is a full quantum computing stack in simulation that offers a customizable development environment for a broad range of developers.
The Journey to Building a True Quantum Computer
Quantum practicality is on the way, but still has a long way to go.
Intel Hits Key Milestone in Quantum Chip Production Research
Intel demonstrates exceptional yield of quantum dot arrays, showing promise for large-scale qubit production using transistor fabrication technology.
Architecture All Access: Quantum Computing
Intel's Director of Quantum Hardware, Jim Clarke, provides an overview of quantum computing and discusses what’s required to achieve quantum practicality.
This video is part of an “All Access” video series on the Intel Technology Channel featuring in-depth education and a look into key architectures that span the computing landscape. Watch this master class session to learn about how quantum computing is expected to be a world-changing technology.
Quantum Computing Software: A Full-Stack Scalable Approach
Dr. Anne Matsuura, Director of Quantum Applications and Architecture at Intel Labs, discusses the importance of developing full-stack quantum software to enable the operation of commercial quantum computing systems.
Watch the video session from Intel Labs Day to learn more about quantum computing systems' hardware, software and application requirements.
Additional Resources
Intel’s Cryoprober for Quantum Research is Unlike Any Other Tool
In the world of exotic high-tech tools—they can be as big as school buses and cost millions of dollars—one that sits in a lab at Intel’s Ronler Acres campus in Oregon is truly unique.
Intel and QuTech Demonstrate Advances in Solving Quantum Interconnect Bottlenecks
New research published in Nature highlights progress toward quantum scalability with high-fidelity control and programmability of silicon qubits using the Horse Ridge cryogenic controller.
Intel Debuts 2nd-Gen Horse Ridge Cryogenic Quantum Control Chip
Intel’s Horse Ridge II cryogenic control chip marks another milestone in the company’s progress towards overcoming scalability, one of quantum computing’s biggest hurdles.
Quantum Computing Press Kit
Keep up with the latest news updates, watch presentations, and download images about Intel Labs' quantum computing research.