Today's scientific landscape calls for a different approach to computing and planning for its future. Quantum computing techniques will play a vital role in shaping it, Quantum computers can perform trillions of calculations at the same time. This is what the largest and most advanced traditional computers cannot do. Therefore, Different countries and institutions are moving towards scaling, integrating and linking devices. In Finland, The Finnish Center for Technical Research has entered into a partnership agreement between the public and private sectors to build the first quantum computer with a capacity of 50 qubits (Qubit) by 2024. This is part of a three-phase project that will offer great opportunities for companies and hone Finnish and European competitiveness.
The world is embarking on a technological revolution led by quantum computing. Its technologies can be used to discover medicines, develop new materials, build more efficient devices, devise financial strategies and much more; However, it is very advanced compared to traditional computers, They are able to solve any complex problem within minutes, Solving these problems may require thousands of years of traditional computers. The services provided by quantum computing include solutions to several mathematical, economic and physical problems.
Despite its promising potential in the fields of chemistry, industry, transportation, medicine, finance and artificial intelligence, to name a few, It still performs quantum techniques need faster development and intensive studies, As it faces some challenges that may cost developers high costs represented in the losses of manufacturing quantum chips, or the difficulty of developing more complex models, or quantum computers fail due to errors resulting from their interaction with the surrounding environment, All of this requires a great effort to provide services that may make quantum computing practically possible.
As Finland has the necessary capabilities to be at the forefront of the leading countries in quantum technologies in Europe, The Finnish Center for Technical Research has provided a solution based on decades of experience in electronics that operate at low temperatures and are critical to avoiding the failure of quantum computing and other technologies essential for building and operating quantum computers. The Center and quantum computing company IQM signed an agreement to launch an innovation partnership to create Finland's first quantum computer. With the support of the Finnish government, which has allocated funding of €20.7 million to the project, To be launched in early 2020. An international tender was initially announced to select a suitable partner for this innovation. Accordingly, Selected by QM quantum computing, It is a leading quantum computer manufacturer in Europe.
Meanwhile, Work has been done to build and equip the facilities and infrastructure necessary to complete this work, This technology is highly accurate and highly sensitive, This requires a very cold environment and specification requirements. For example, advanced mechanical and electrical equipment should be installed, Carefully tuned air conditioning systems under strict conditions affected the smallest parts and materials used in the development of quantum computers. In addition, Finland's Bluefors was hired to build the cooling device needed to get the job done.
The ultimate goal of the project is to create a 50-qubit computer by 2024. The qubit is the unit used to measure the amount of data in quantum computers. The project is divided into three phases, Its first phase will extend for about a year, Work is currently underway on a quantum computer with a capacity of 5 qubits, whose quantum processor construction has been completed, to be ready for use by the end of the year, Demonstrate Finland's experience in the manufacture of these computers. In conjunction with this, The programming team is testing the main algorithms that will be used to run the quantum computer, Once it is up and running and tested, The second and third phases will be launched respectively until the main goal of a 50-qubit quantum computer is achieved.
In parallel with working on a quantum computer, The Finnish Technical Research Centre will continue to develop the performance of these technologies in other areas, Such as quantum sensors due to their important role in medical imaging and diagnosis, Or quantum encryption algorithms that can be employed to protect information networks.
The quantum computer will be developed at the Micronova Research Institute in Espoo, Finland. There is a joint research headquarters between the Finnish Center for Technical Research and Aalto University, It includes the clean room inside which quantum computer components are manufactured. Then, The computer can be subjected to preliminary experiments and tests that will show what challenges the project may face to work on in the future.
The goal of this project is not limited to the development of a quantum computer only, Rather, it goes beyond it to gain experience in quantum computing, In the disciplines of hardware, software and future applications. This cooperation will bring a turning point in the capabilities of quantum technologies in Finland, It allows for benefiting from the various applications of these technologies in several fields, Investing in innovation will enhance the ability of government and private entities to address future global challenges and achieve sustainable growth.
In the long run, This technology will open up unlimited horizons of solutions aimed at improving the lives of humanity, By 2030, Finland expects to have a major data processing platform, And to develop its quantum computers and their usability in helping different actors to meet global challenges.
References:
https://www.vttresearch.com/en/ourservices/quantum-technology
