IBM has announced an agreement with RIKEN, a Japanese national research laboratory, to deploy IBM’s quantum computer architecture and quantum processor at the RIKEN Center for Computational Science in Kobe, Japan. This quantum computer will be co-located with the Fugaku supercomputer.

The agreement is part of RIKEN’s project, funded by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) under Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). RIKEN has dedicated use of an IBM Quantum System Two architecture for the project.

IBM Quantum System Two, which will be deployed at RIKEN and integrated with Fugaku, includes IBM’s plans to introduce its quantum computing architecture, combining cryogenic infrastructure, quantum control electronics, and system software to deliver quantum computing services alongside traditional HPC services.

The system will be powered by a 133-qubit ‘IBM Quantum Heron’ processor, the first in a new series of quantum processors from IBM.

RIKEN, along with SoftBank, University of Tokyo, and Osaka University, aim to demonstrate the advantages of hybrid computational platforms for deployment as services in the future post-5G era, according to IBM. IBM will work on developing software for generating and executing integrated quantum-classical workflows in the hybrid computing environment. These capabilities will focus on improving algorithm quality and execution times.

[Image courtesy: IBM]