Fujitsu and Delft University of Technology are setting up a quantum lab

The quantum lab Fujitsu Advanced Computing Lab Delft is a collaboration between Fujitsu and Delft University of Technology and is part of the Fujitsu Small Research Lab initiative (1). With this initiative, Fujitsu researchers collaborate with leading global universities to conduct research with top scientists in their fields, including professors and the next generation of innovators.

The Advanced Computing Lab is being set up at the leading quantum technology research institute QuTech, a collaboration between Delft University of Technology and the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), and aims to accelerate the R&D of diamond spin quantum computing, a technology that Fujitsu and QuTech have been jointly researching since October 2020. The two partners will promote the development of quantum applications and aim to realize innovative fluid simulation technologies that apply quantum computing to the field of computational fluid dynamics computation, where large-scale and complex computations are an ongoing challenge.

Diamond spin quantum technology

As part of strengthening collaboration with leading research institutions through global open innovation, Fujitsu is conducting basic research and development of quantum computers using diamond-based spin qubits in collaboration with Delft University of Technology.

To date, the two partners have conducted R&D on quantum computers with diamond-spin qubits, with the aim of creating a blueprint for future modular quantum computers that can scale to more than 1,000 qubits. To make practical quantum computing a reality, Fujitsu and Delft University of Technology are conducting research into associated technology layers, from the device level to control systems, architecture and algorithms. As a result, the two partners achieved the first fault-tolerant operation of spin qubits in a diamond quantum processor (3) using the diamond NV center method (4).

Fujitsu and Delft University of Technology are further working to improve the performance of qubits by forming SnV centers (5), which are gaining increasing attention as high-performance diamond spins, in optical waveguides and by attaching optical coupling using of response at the single photon level as the first demonstration (arXiv: 2311.12927).

The two partners established the Fujitsu Advanced Computing Lab Delft to further strengthen their collaboration and research framework to enhance the development of advanced computing technologies based on quantum technologies. In the future, Fujitsu and Delft University of Technology want to position the new location as a leading industry-academic research and development center in Japan and the Netherlands, and focus on fostering further collaboration, including talent development focused on finding solutions to social issues using advanced computer technologies.

Innovative development

Vivek Mahajan, SEVP, CTO and CPO of Fujitsu Limited, comments on the collaboration: “Strengthening our collaboration with Delft University of Technology offers the opportunity to unlock new possibilities in quantum. With Fujitsu’s best-in-class technologies and talented researchers from global leading institutions in this field, we can continue working on potential breakthroughs in quantum hardware development, while advancing a new generation of innovators.”

Prof. Tim van der Hagen, Rector Magnificus/Chairman of the Executive Board of Delft University of Technology, adds: “At Delft University of Technology we develop and deliver technology-based, innovative solutions for social problems and explore potential applications of quantum computers. in a wide range of sectors. TU Delft is the ideal place for industry and science to work together to advance this key technology. We are very proud that Fujitsu, building on their already successful collaboration with QuTech, has chosen the Netherlands and Delft establishing their Advanced Computing Lab.”

Strategic cooperation

Dr. Shintaro Sato, Fellow SVP & Head of Quantum Laboratory at Fujitsu Research, Fujitsu Limited, is also proud of the development: “We have been working closely with Delft University of Technology on the technology of diamond spin qubits for three years. I am proud of what we have achieved together so far, and am confident that this new laboratory will form the basis for a fruitful future collaboration. We look forward to further expanding this collaboration into the field of quantum applications, and hopefully presenting results that will help the world amaze.”

Kees Eijkel, Director of Business Development at QuTech, adds: “At QuTech we are building scalable technologies for quantum computers and a quantum internet. We value our strategic collaboration with Fujitsu in quantum computing. It is a partnership based on our complementary strengths. points and a shared vision of economic impact. We are very proud that Fujitsu has chosen Delft, with its exceptional concentration of quantum talent, as the location for the Advanced Computing Lab. We look forward to the opportunity to expand our already deep and significant collaboration to additional opportunities that Delft offers.”

Overview of the newly developed Fujitsu Advanced Computing Lab Delft

1. Initial research period:

January 25, 2024 to September 30, 2028

2. Location:

Delft University of Technology – QuTech / Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft, The Netherlands

3. Research contents:
4. Basic R&D of quantum computers using diamond-based spin qubits

– Development of a blueprint for scalable modular quantum computing using diamond-spin qubits with both high stability and optical connectivity.

– Verification of the effectiveness of the above approach by demonstrating operation of quantum algorithms using a small number of diamond spin qubits, and by establishing devices and integrated process technologies necessary for on-chip implementation

2. Research on the application of quantum computing technology to the field of computational fluid dynamics

– Development of applications that enable large-scale, high-speed and complex computations in the fluid dynamics field

– Development of quantum algorithms for fluid dynamics simulations under various conditions and verification of their effectiveness through demonstrations using real-world problems including aerodynamic design for next-generation aircrafts

– Realization of an innovative fluid simulation technology for fault-tolerant quantum computation (FTQC) (6) that enables highly accurate prediction of particle motion over a wide spatial area required for solving real-world problems; expansion of scope of research to strengthen peripheral technologies necessary for practical applications

4. Roles and responsibilities:
5. Basic R&D of quantum computers using diamond-based spin qubits

Fujitsu:

– R&D of implementation technology required for the construction of quantum computing systems

Delft University of Technology:

– Proof-of-principle tests of qubit devices and R&D of quantum control protocols

2. Research on the application of quantum computing technology to the field of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)

Fujitsu:

– Performance evaluation and trials demonstration for real-world problems on quantum computer simulators and early-FTQC systems

Delft University of Technology:

– Development and implementation of a high-performance quantum-CFD solver , construction of a hybrid quantum-classical computational framework for aerodynamic design optimization

Overview of the initiatives of the Fujitsu Advanced Computing Lab Delft

5. Organization:

Researchers from Fujitsu and Delft University of Technology will support activities at the new collaboration hub.

Main members include:

– Dr. Shintaro Sato (Fellow SVP & Head of Quantum Laboratory at Fujitsu Research, Fujitsu Limited)

– Kenichi Kawaguchi (Research Director, Quantum Hardware Core Project, Quantum Laboratory at Fujitsu Research, Fujitsu Limited)

– Shinji Kikuchi (Senior Project Director, Quantum Application Core Project, Quantum Laboratory at Fujitsu Research, Fujitsu Limited)

– Matthias Möller (Associate Professor, Faculty of EEMCS, Delft University of Technology)

– Ronald Hanson (Professor, QuTech, Delft University of Technology)

– Tim Taminiau (Group Leader, QuTech, Delft University of Technology)

– Ryōichi Ishihara (Associate Professor, QuTech, Faculty of EEMCS, Delft University of Technology)

Related Links

・Fujitsu Small Research Lab:

https://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/research/srl/

・“Fujitsu Commences Joint Research with World-Leading Institutions for Innovations in Quantum Computing” (press release Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd., October 13, 2020): https://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/resources/news/press -releases/2020/1013-02.html

(Fujitsu Laboratories was integrated into Fujitsu Limited on April 1, 2021)

・QuTech:

https://QuTech.nl/

・Fujitsu Quantum:

https://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/research/technology/quantum/

Notes

1. Fujitsu Small Research Lab:

An initiative to achieve greater breakthroughs beyond the results of ordinary joint research. The initiative aims to contribute to the solution of social issues, while accelerating joint research, identifying new research themes, developing human resources, and building medium-to long-term relationships with universities. Fujitsu researchers are embedded at technology incubators at universities in Japan and internationally.

2. QuTech:

Formally established in 2015 by Delft University of Technology and the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). QuTech’s mission is to develop a scalable prototype of a quantum computer and an inherently secure quantum Internet based on the fundamental laws of quantum mechanics.

3. The world’s first fault-tolerant operation of spin qubits in a diamond quantum processor:

“QuTech and Fujitsu realize the fault-tolerant operation of a qubit” (QuTech press release May 5, 2022): https://QuTech.nl/2022/05/05/QuTech-and-fujitsu-realise-fault-tolerant- operation-of-qubit/, Abobeih et al. (2022), “Fault-tolerant operation of a logical qubit in a diamond quantum processor,” Nature, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04819-6

4. Diamond NV Center:

A defect consisting of a vacancy in the diamond lattice next to a nitrogen atom, where a carbon atom is typically found.

5. SnV Center:

A defect consisting of a vacancy in the diamond lattice next to a tin (Sn), where a carbon atom is typically found.

6. FTQC:

Abbreviation for fault-tolerant quantum computation; performance of quantum computation without errors while correcting quantum errors