The Newz Radar
MANDI: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Mandi is developing the first-of-its-kind indigenous room temperature quantum computer which can utilise light for doing faster calculations, according to officials.
The computer, which is being developed as part of the National Quantum Mission, will be unique in its ability to analyse data and suggest solutions with 86 per cent accuracy without traditional algorithms, they said. Quantum computing is a rapidly emerging technology that harnesses the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems too complex for classical computers.
Speaking about this initiative, CS Yadav, chairperson of the Centre for Quantum Science and Technologies, IIT-Mandi, said, “We are constructing a room temperature optical quantum computer capable of solving feature learning and classification problems instantly. With a sophisticated user interface, quantum simulator and quantum processing capabilities in place, our computer will operate as a graphics processor (GPU) instead of CPU, seamlessly processing inputs such as videos or photographs.”
Yadav said, “It will extract a model to explain inherent dynamics hidden in the input data and delivers output as quantum live feed. Composing a quantum algorithm is tedious, yet our computer will mirror an inquisitive mind of a scientist, swiftly suggesting an approximate theoretical model for unknown big data with an 86 per cent accuracy, all without relying on algorithms.”
There is a lot of buzz about quantum computing and the companies like Google and IBM have made their own quantum computers. “So, let’s say that those companies are making a quantum computer which is based on a superconducting Josephson junction qubit. In order to do that quantum computing, you will require very, very low temperature. Our objective is to make a photon-based quantum computer at room temperature,” he said.
The Josephson junction is the element that provides the nonlinearity needed to turn a superconducting circuit into a qubit
Yadav explained that the room temperature optical quantum computer will utilise light for doing fast calculations. Using quantum bits (Qubits), the computer will exist in multiple states simultaneously, allowing for incredibly fast processing. The system will be able to update itself and erase its memory using a special gel.
“We are focusing on scaling up the quantum computing system from handling 16 tasks to 1,024 tasks simultaneously. To achieve this, the team is developing three crucial components: a single photon source, a phase-sensitive single photon avalanche diode (SPAD), and a multipurpose coincidence counter. These components are vital for building quantum computers and will be developed up to a high level of reliability and effectiveness,” he said.
According to IIT-Mandi Director Laxmidhar Behera, the Centre for Quantum Science and Technology (CQST) at the institute is making significant strides in quantum computing technology, poised to revolutionise various sectors.
“Through the National Quantum Mission, we are advancing the field with groundbreaking innovations aimed at enhancing feature learning and classification capabilities across genetics, astrophysics, finance, and weather forecasting. Strategically selecting the three immediate products, we are poised to develop each component vital for building quantum computers,” he said.
