UK launches first 32-qubit quantum computer
In September 2020, Rigetti UK Limited, a subsidiary of quantum computing company Rigetti, received a £10 million grant from the UK government to develop the UK’s first quantum computer, with partners including Oxford Instruments, the University of Edinburgh, Phasecraft and Standard Chartered Bank.
Last year, however, Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC) was the first to launch the UK's first quantum computer, the 8-qubit superconducting quantum computer Lucy. Although Rigetti is a step behind, the company has unveiled a machine that has set the UK record for the highest qubit.
On June 21, Rigetti UK announced the launch of its 32-qubit Aspen series of quantum computers in the UK . The system, Rigetti's first UK-based quantum computer, will be available to UK partners via the cloud via Rigetti QCS™.
The Aspen range of systems will be serviced by Rigetti's UK partners through the Rigetti QCS™ cloud.
Aspen Systems Services achieves a key goal of Rigetti and its partners: to accelerate the commercialisation of quantum computing in the UK. Rigetti, along with Oxford Instruments, the University of Edinburgh, Phasecraft and Standard Chartered, will continue to advance the machine's practical applications in machine learning, materials simulation and finance.
"We believe the deployment of Rigetti's first UK-based quantum computer is an important step towards realizingthe vision of integrating quantum processors (QPUs) into cloud fabrics，" said Chad Rigetti, founder and CEO of Rigetti Computing. With QPU cloud access, I believe our UK partners and end users will be one step closer to unlocking the potential of quantum computing to solve their most pressing problems and advance the UK’s vibrant quantum ecosystem.”
" This is the first time we have been able to democratize technology at the scale it is now, and access to the cloud is truly a fundamental accelerator for quantum computing applications . Today's announcement is truly a victory for the UK's global position in quantum computing." Oxford Instruments Nanoscience managing director Stuart Woods said.
“The development of truly transformative technology is at the heart of the programme and we are delighted with the progress Rigetti is making. Not only does Rigetti work closely with several UK organisations to develop its technology, but it also has business relationships that already form a strong supply chain. This The deployment of a single computer and its associated cloud access marks this event not only marking an important developmental milestone, but also another major step towards quantum readiness for the UK." UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Innovation Technology Challenge Director Roger McKinlay said.
To further advance quantum computing in the UK, Rigetti has jointly won two Innovate UK grants as part of the UK's Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) Commercialisation of Quantum Technologies Challenge. Rigetti will work with quantum software company Riverlane on quantum error correction. Additionally, Rigetti will work with Phasagecraft and BT to develop quantum algorithms and software to solve optimization and constraint satisfaction problems.
About Rigetti
Rigetti is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing. Founded by Chad Rigetti in 2013, it currently has offices in the US, UK and Australia. The company has been offering quantum computer services on the cloud since 2017 and provides access to global corporate, government and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. Rigetti has developed the industry's first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems: it designs and manufactures its chips in-house at its Fab-1, the industry's first dedicated and integrated quantum device fabrication facility.
About Riverlane
Riverlane's mission is to make quantum computing useful earlier than previously thought, ushering in a new era of human progress similar to the industrial and digital revolution. Riverlane does this by building Deltaflow.OS, the operating system for quantum computing, and is backed by Molten Ventures, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Amadeus Capital Partners and Cambridge University Venture Capital funding.
About Phasagecraft
Phasecraft is a quantum computing company deploying advanced theoretical and mathematical techniques to develop quantum computing applications with the goal of bringing quantum advantage to life in the short term.
