Emerging Practical Uses for Quantum Computers

Last year, researchers at Quantinuum, a quantum computing startup, achieved a significant milestone by using a chip with eight ytterbium ions to compute the precise arrangement of a hydrogen molecule’s two electrons in their most stable state. While this computational task may seem trivial for a typical laptop, it marked the first step towards advanced quantum simulations that are expected to handle more complex molecules as quantum computers become more powerful.

The core of this quantum computer may appear familiar—a silicon chip the size of a stamp. However, the similarities to conventional computing end there. The chip is housed within a vacuum chamber and cooled to nearly absolute zero, featuring 198 gold electrodes arranged in an oval racetrack configuration.

Above the racetrack, a few ytterbium ions are trapped and levitated using a combination of electrical, radiofrequency, and laser pulses. Through precise manipulations, specific energy levels are imparted to the ions, enabling them to interact and perform a series of logical operations. A final set of laser pulses prompts each ion to either fluoresce or remain dormant, providing the solution to the computation in binary code.

This achievement highlights the transition of quantum computers from theoretical promise to practical applications. Companies like Quantinuum are optimistic about the potential of quantum computing in chemistry, particularly in drug discovery and catalyst development. Quantum computers excel in predicting molecular structures and behaviors due to their adherence to the counterintuitive laws of quantum mechanics.

Chad Edwards, head of strategy at Quantinuum, notes, “We are currently leveraging chemistry problems to drive advancements in quantum computing, but there will come a point where the roles will reverse.” Quantum physicist Louis-Paul Henry from PASQAL, a Paris-based quantum computing startup focusing on chemistry, acknowledges the recent acceleration in quantum computing progress. He observes, “There has been a noticeable speedup in the past year, with more emphasis on practical applications and tackling complex real-world problems.”