SFB BeyondC Austria Extends Project Extension

SFB BeyondC

As a Specialized Research Program based in Austria, SFB BeyondC (Quantum Information Systems Beyond Classical Capabilities) was prepared to identify applications and methods for quantum information systems that can enhance current classical capabilities. Several fields of quantum information science are relevant to this task and the SFB BeyondC consortium brought together seven experimental physics groups led by G. Kirchmair, T. Monz, C. Roos, G. Weihs, T. Northup (University of Innsbruck), J. Fink ( IST Austria), P. Walther (University of Vienna) and six theoretical groups led by H. Briegel, W. Lechner (University of Innsbruck), C. Brukner, B. Dakic (University of Vienna) and R. Küng (JKU Linz). Together, they will apply their theoretical and experimental expertise to achieve the following sub-objectives:

• precision control of up to 30 qubits for quantum computing
• realization of a quantum simulator using up to 100 qubits
• quantum-safe data processing operations for mid-size quantum processors and quantum networks
• derivatives of new resource-efficient algorithms and applications for mid-sized quantum processors
• realization of classical and hybrid quantum-quantum systems
• verification, validation, certification and error mitigation for quantum processors
• and the realization of quantum computing networks and new architectures

Through its first funding period, the SFB BeyondC consortium was able to make significant progress as global efforts increase the control and exploitation of quantum systems.

Recently, Philip Waltera professor at the University of Vienna, and Tracy E. Northupa physicist working at the Institute for Experimental Physics, University of Innsbruck, discussed the consortium’s second funding period and how it will enable SFB BeyondC to continue its efforts to acquire and explore applications and methods for quantum information systems beyond classical capabilities.

Four More Years

“We are pleased and excited that we have an extension of our specialized research program on Quantum Information Systems beyond classical capabilities, which was built over the last four years and has shown tremendous progress in developing theory and hardware for quantum computing in its broadest sense,” said Walther.

Northup added that the project had been in the works for four years and the extension meant it would run for another four years.

“This is really an opportunity to build on those results from the first part,” said Northup, who was awarded the 2016 Start-Preis from the Austrian Science Fund.

Network Exchange

Walther went on to explain that he hopes that with the extension of the consortium it can continue to foster an exchange network of great people, which includes both young scientists as well as established researchers, working on the same problem from different angles.

“It’s really great to see this momentum and progress, which of course we will continue in the second phase,” he said.

“I think the really special thing about this project is the goal of building a quantum computer that goes beyond classical capabilities,” said Northup. “This is beyond the scope of any research group and you need a consortium like this to address it.”

Northup added that it was very special that in Austria there were so many groups working on this topic and that this project was a great opportunity to bring people together to encourage collaboration, especially with the younger generation.

Looking in the Same Direction

“We brought the whole country together,” says Walther. “We have Innsbruck, we have Vienna, Linz, really all the key players in quantum science we have here in a team together so we can look in the same direction and deal with the same problems, also mentioning that this is a very different situation. very good for the Austrian research community.

Northup ended by saying that it is also important for students to feel that they are part of something, not only in their research group or university, but also as part of Austrian quantum science.

It is clear that programs like SFB BeyondC are important for quantum information science. With four years of research ahead, it looks like the consortium will make a name for itself, both in Austria and in the wider scientific community.

Featured image: SFB BeyondC