Quantum technology for all: our demonstrators
One of our dreams at QuTech is to make quantum technology accessible to a wider audience including future users as soon as possible. To this end, we are developing quantum computer and quantum internet demonstrators to ‘play’ with. They will help educate users, test the interoperability of different components, and facilitate the development of new applications, products and services – generating the required market pull for commercialization.
Quantum Network Explorer: unlocking the power of quantum networks
One of the reasons that the classical internet was able to grow so quickly was that access for network engineers, programmers and users was straightforward and cheap. In 2021, we created a similar environment for the quantum internet through our demonstrator, Quantum Network Explorer (QNE). Using this web interface, visitors can currently interact with simulated quantum networks, exploring the functioning of quantum protocols. The possibility to also run applications on a real physical quantum network is currently under development. Basic quantum network ideas and concepts will be showcased, as well as their impact on society
Long-term goal:
To showcase the world’s first quantum internet with at least 3 quantum nodes (2 or 3 major cities and a showcase node), and make this available, accessible and programmable online. One (showcase) quantum node will be open to the public.
Highlights:
- We launched the Quantum Network Explorer platform specifically aimed at researchers, students, software developers and future users of quantum network applications.
Quantum Inspire: the multi hardware quantum technology platform
Quantum Inspire is Europe’s first publicly accessible quantum computing system. It connects to two different types of quantum processors: spin qubits and superconducting transmon qubits, allowing users to compare the two. It also integrates different programming languages to explore how different languages affect simulations.
Long-term goal:
Long-term goal:
To develop a full-stack quantum computer demonstrator for training and education, along with co-development and collaborative R&D of quantum technologies for quantum computing.
Highlights:
- Quantum Inspire was integrated in the European Flagship project QLSI (Quantum Large Scale Integration in Silicon) with the final goal of integrating a 10-qubit Si spin QPU as a backend in the platform and in the National Agenda Quantum Technology, CAT-1 programme. Within this multi-year programme, the number of backends on Quantum Inspire will be increased and the computing power of all backends will be improved.
- By decreasing the two-qubit duration of the Starmon-5 system from 80 ns to 60 ns, the average two-qubit gate fidelity was raised to 97.2%. At the same time, the method for automatic calibration for Spin-2 was expanded with extra calibration nodes and the manual calibration of Starmon-5 was automated. Also, a second Spin-2 device was integrated as a first step towards a spin system with 4 or more qubits.
- In 2021, the number of registered users doubled to more than 3000 and the number of experiments performed on our backends to 270,000.