IonQ, a leader in the quantum computing and networking industry, announced a technological breakthrough that demonstrates a new approach to scalable quantum computing, resulting from a collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
The collaboration combined IonQ’s high-performing, enterprise-grade trapped-ion technology with ORNL’s world-class quantum technologies expertise to develop a novel hybrid quantum algorithm based on the Quantum Imaginary Time Evolution principle (QITE). This noise-tolerant method enables near-optimal and optimal solutions for complex combinatorial optimization problems on IonQ’s commercially available hardware. The results showed that QITE can significantly outperform other quantum optimization algorithms such as QAOA (Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm) in both time-to-solution and circuit depth, paving the way for tackling large optimization problems on near-term quantum computers. By using this hybrid quantum algorithm, IonQ and ORNL were able to reduce the number of two-qubit gates by over 85% for a 28 qubit problem compared to a QAOA solution, improving over the state of the art. The hybrid quantum algorithm was proved out on IonQ’s Aria and Forte systems which were used inside the optimization loop, paving the way for scaling to larger problem sizes.
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Optimization is one of the most anticipated applications for quantum computers, due to a wealth of applications in both industry and scientific discovery. IonQ and ORNL’s breakthrough method has practical applications across various industries, including energy grid optimization, unit commitment, contingency planning, financial risk management and fraud detection, improving logistics and supply chain efficiency, advancing drug discovery and optimizing clinical trials in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and enhancing production efficiency in manufacturing and operations.
“This work is an important step forward in scaling quantum computing systems for practical commercial applications,” said Dr. Martin Roetteler, Senior Director, Quantum Solutions at IonQ. “Working with ORNL, we’ve shown how our technology can have a direct business impact by reducing cost, time and computational resources, and we’re excited about the potential this has for industries ranging from logistics to energy systems, finance and life sciences.”
“This collaboration is part of the lab’s ongoing efforts in advancing quantum optimization. The development of quantum imaginary time evolution-based methods demonstrates our commitment to leveraging near-term quantum computers for real-world, industrial challenges. We’re excited about testing quantum computers to benefit the nation,” said Dr. Travis Humble, Director, Quantum Science Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
SOURCE: Businesswire