Software Breakthrough Could Spur Quantum Computer Advances

A major software advance could aid the creation of bigger, more reliable quantum computers, a study suggests.

Researchers have developed an algorithm that enables off-the-shelf computers to run quantum simulations previously only possible using the world’s most powerful supercomputers.

It means the simulations can be run using around five per cent of the computing power previously needed to perform them with a supercomputer, the team says.

The advance could make it cheaper and easier to run experiments vital for understanding the limitations of current quantum computers and informing the design of improved devices, experts say.

Quantum computers could, in theory, perform calculations far beyond the capabilities of even the most advanced supercomputers, but current devices are small and error-prone, hindering their performance.

Key to informing the creation of bigger, more reliable quantum computers is the development of algorithms to simulate how devices might work in reality. However, running these simulations has until now required vast amounts of computing power available at only a handful of facilities worldwide.

The new algorithm was developed by a team led by scientists at the University of Edinburgh and EPCC, the UK's first National Supercomputing Centre, which is part of the University.