Hybrid Quantum Computing: Are You Prepared for the Next Technological Shift?
In the past decade, quantum hardware has achieved dramatic improvements in gate fidelities, qubit coherences, and qubit counts. Small quantum circuit fragments have been experimentally realised with superconducting qubits as well as with ion traps. However, due to fundamental limitations in the engineering, the number of qubits on a chip, gate fidelities, and qubit coherence times will remain modest in the near future.
In addition to that, we are all aware that setting up a quantum computing environment is costly and time-consuming. It has taken years and decades to advance Google’s Sycamore system from 53 qubits to the thousands of qubits needed to perform large-scale computations. Then, what is the alternative to reaping the benefits of quantum power?
Classical computers are faster and more efficient when working with enterprise applications, while quantum computers are better at solving complex problems.
Companies like Rigetti, D-Wave, IBM, Microsoft, and IonQ have realized the reality of hybrid quantum systems.
Hybrid systems are the integration of both quantum computing, which solves highly complex problems, and classical computing, with its flexibility and accessibility. These hybrid systems outperform supercomputers.
This strategy defines high-level programming and HMI functions at one end of the system and the qubits in quantum computers at the other end. The control processors provide bridging between them, one operating at room temperature (classic computing) and another at cryogenic temperature (quantum computing).
IBM is collaborating with Microsoft to develop hybrid quantum-classical algorithms for their customers.
This hybridisation will be critical in shortening the timelines for the arrival of the quantum age for industry professionals.
Classic computers won’t go away, and quantum computers will never reach its full potential without classical computers in the near future. It’s time to think of the quantum age as a hybrid age and adjust our quantum strategy accordingly.
