The firm, D-Wave Systems Inc., has announced a preview of its next-gen quantum computing platform that includes a new processor with 5000 qubits (up from 2000), improved qubit coherence, and hybrid software and tools that “further commercial quantum application development.”
The company explained that customers will be able to run and build applications on the next-gen platform by purchasing hours of use through the Leap cloud service. Additionally, D-Wave is also selling installations at customer sites for entities that want more permanent access to the hardware. While the complete system will be ready by mid-2020, the firm will introduce components of the platform even earlier via QPU and software updates through the cloud.
Discussing the news, Alan Baratz, chief product officer, D-Wave, said:
“Quantum computing is only as valuable as the applications customers can run. With the next-generation platform, we are making investments in things like connectivity and hybrid software and tools to allow customers to solve even more complex problems at greater scale, bringing new emerging quantum applications to life. Every decision we’ve made and every decision we’ll make will reflect an ongoing commitment to helping developers learn quantum systems and helping customers build the first commercial quantum killer applications.”
The new platform uses the Pegasus topology which sees each qubit get connected to 15 other qubits. This allows bigger problems to be embedded. The previous generation topology was called Chimera and each qubit connected to just six other qubits.
D-Wave said the new platform marks an important milestone and also shared information that more than 100 early applications have been developed across all of D-Wave’s platforms to date. The applications aid in airline scheduling, election modeling, quantum chemistry simulation, automotive design, preventative healthcare, logistics, and more.
Users can head over to D-Wave Leap right now and begin using the new Pegasus topology. As new components become available, users will be able to use them through Leap.