Qubit Community Weekly Newsletter #9

Dear Qubit Community Members,

We are excited to bring you the latest edition of our newsletter, packed with updates, insights, and opportunities in the ever-evolving field of quantum technologies. Whether you're a seasoned expert or a curious newcomer, our aim is to keep you informed and engaged with cutting-edge developments, community events, and thought-provoking articles.

Stay connected, stay curious, and let's continue to push the boundaries of what's possible together.

Happy reading!

Business and Investments

1. LightSolver Secures €12.5 Million EIC Grant to Revolutionize Optical Supercomputing – LightSolver, an Israeli startup, has been awarded €12.5 million by the European Innovation Council (EIC) to advance its development of an all-optical supercomputer. This funding will help the company accelerate its innovative approach to solving complex computational problems at unprecedented speeds using light-based technology. The grant highlights the European Union's commitment to supporting groundbreaking quantum technologies that could have significant implications across various industries, including finance, logistics, and AI.

   For further information: https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/b1j8vqe50

2. Riverlane Secures $75 Million in Series C Funding to Advance Quantum Error Correction – Riverlane has raised $75 million in a Series C funding round to accelerate the development of its quantum error correction technology. This investment reflects growing demand for robust solutions in quantum computing, where error correction is crucial for scaling up quantum systems. With this funding, Riverlane aims to enhance its software and expand its team, positioning itself as a leader in making quantum computing more reliable and commercially viable.

   For further information: https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/08/06/riverlane-raises-75-million-in-series-c-round-to-meet-demand-for-quantum-error-correction-technology/

3. IonQ Secures $5.7 Million Contract to Research Quantum Cybersecurity – IonQ has received a $5.7 million contract from the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security to explore cybersecurity solutions in networked quantum computing systems. This funding supports IonQ's efforts to enhance quantum-safe encryption methods and protect quantum networks from emerging cyber threats. The research could play a crucial role in securing future quantum communication systems, addressing vulnerabilities unique to quantum technologies.

   For further information: https://investors.ionq.com/news/news-details/2024/CORRECTING-and-REPLACING-IonQ-Awarded-Ground-breaking-Quantum-Computing-Contract-With-Applied-Research-Laboratory-for-Intelligence-and-Security-ARLIS/default.aspx

Technology and Engineering

1. Boeing's Quantum Navigation System Achieves Milestone in First Flight Test – Boeing has successfully tested a quantum-based navigation system in flight, marking a historic achievement in aviation technology. This new system, which leverages quantum sensors to provide ultra-precise navigation without relying on GPS, represents a significant advancement in ensuring more secure and resilient navigation for aircraft. The test demonstrates the potential for quantum technologies to revolutionize not only aviation but also other industries reliant on precise positioning and navigation systems.

   For further information: https://onfirstup.com/boeing/BNN/articles/boeing-completes-worlds-1st-quantum-navigation-flight-test

2. NASA Develops First Quantum Memory at Glenn Research Center – NASA's Glenn Research Center has successfully created its first-ever quantum memory, a key milestone in advancing quantum communication and computing technologies. This breakthrough could enable more secure data storage and transmission in space applications. By harnessing quantum states, NASA aims to revolutionize how information is processed and stored, potentially leading to significant improvements in the efficiency and security of space missions.

   For further information: https://www.nasa.gov/general/nasas-first-ever-quantum-memory-made-at-glenn-research-center/

3. Terra Quantum Secures SBIR Funding for Quantum-Resistant Network Research for U.S. Air Force – Terra Quantum has been awarded a competitive Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to explore the feasibility of developing a long-range quantum-resistant network for the U.S. Air Force. This research aims to enhance secure communications by creating a network that can withstand potential threats from quantum computing technologies, ensuring the resilience of military communication systems in the future.

   For further information: https://terraquantum.swiss/news/terra-quantum-wins-competitive-sbir-funding-to-study-feasibility-of-long-range-quantum-resistant-network-for-the-us-air-force

Research

1. Efficient Learning in Quantum Photonic Processors: A New Theoretical Framework – novel research which introduces a learning theory for continuous-variable (CV) quantum systems, such as those used in photonic quantum processors. The authors demonstrate that both Gaussian and certain non-Gaussian quantum circuits can be efficiently learned with a sample complexity that scales polynomially with the system size. Notably, the complexity does not depend on the circuit depth but rather on the non-Gaussianity degree. This work lays a foundation for practical learning algorithms in quantum photonic technologies, advancing towards scalable quantum information processing.

   For further information: https://quantum-journal.org/papers/q-2024-08-08-1433/pdf/

2. Introducing a Hybrid Spin-Optical Architecture for Scalable Quantum Computing – this research which presents a novel hybrid architecture for fault-tolerant quantum computing, combining quantum emitters with linear-optical gates. This spin-optical quantum computing (SPOQC) design leverages the strengths of both matter-based and photonic-based approaches, enabling efficient error correction and scalability. The architecture's modular design supports low-density parity check (LDPC) codes, offering high error tolerance without the need for complex resource-state-generation modules. This work could pave the way for practical, scalable quantum computing systems.

   For further information: https://quantum-journal.org/papers/q-2024-07-24-1423/pdf/  

3. New Optimization Algorithm Advances Ground State Energy Calculations – Researchers have developed an optimization algorithm that significantly improves the calculation of ground state energies in quantum systems. This algorithm, which outperforms existing methods, was successfully applied to a model involving many-body quantum systems. The achievement marks a significant step forward in accurately predicting ground states, which are crucial for understanding material properties and quantum phenomena. The new approach could accelerate progress in quantum computing and materials science by providing more efficient and accurate energy calculations.

   For further information: https://phys.org/news/2024-07-optimization-algorithm-successfully-ground-state.html#google_vignette

   For the research paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41567-024-02566-1

4. Purdue Researchers Develop Photonic Transistors for Quantum Networks – Researchers at Purdue University have achieved a significant breakthrough by trapping atoms to create photonic transistors, a critical component for quantum networks. These transistors, which control light in a way similar to how traditional transistors control electricity, are essential for building scalable quantum communication systems. This development could pave the way for more efficient and secure quantum networks, making large-scale quantum internet a closer reality.

   For further information: https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/08/08/purdue-researchers-trap-atoms-to-create-photonic-transistors-for-quantum-networks/

   For the research paper: https://journals.aps.org/prx/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevX.14.031004

5. Physicists Discover Efficient Method to Transmit Entangled Photons via Optical Fiber – Physicists have developed a new technique to transmit entangled photons over optical fiber, overcoming key challenges that have long hindered quantum communication. This breakthrough method significantly reduces the loss of entanglement during transmission, enabling more reliable and long-distance quantum communication. The discovery could play a vital role in advancing quantum networks, potentially leading to more secure data transmission systems and the development of a global quantum internet​.

   For further information: https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/08/07/physicists-find-new-way-to-send-entangled-photons-over-optical-fiber/

   For the research paper: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adn8907

6. Researchers Develop New Framework for Ultra-Sensitive Quantum Sensors – A team of researchers has created a new framework for designing ultra-sensitive quantum sensors, which could dramatically enhance the detection of weak signals in various applications, from medical diagnostics to environmental monitoring. This innovative approach leverages quantum entanglement and coherence to achieve unprecedented levels of sensitivity, potentially revolutionizing sensor technology across multiple fields.

   For further information: https://news.ncsu.edu/2024/07/researchers-develop-general-framework-for-designing-quantum-sensors/

   For the research paper: https://quantum-journal.org/papers/q-2024-07-30-1427/

7. Purdue Researchers Build Photon Circuit with Quantum Advantage – Researchers at Purdue University have developed a groundbreaking photon circuit capable of outperforming classical systems by leveraging quantum properties. This new photonic circuit, which can operate at room temperature, offers significant advantages in processing speed and efficiency, potentially revolutionizing quantum information processing and communication technologies. The work represents a major step toward practical, scalable quantum devices that could be integrated into existing technologies.

   For further information: https://www.physics.purdue.edu/news/2024/0711_hung_photoncircuit.html