Quantinuum shifts dial on quantum era with milestone breakthrough

Real-world quantum applications are on the cards following a breakthrough by a team of researchers including Cambridge-based Quantinuum.

In a just-published paper in Nature, researchers from JPMorganChase, Quantinuum, Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the University of Texas at Austin achieved a critical industry milestone by demonstrating a potential application of a quantum computer.

The joint research team achieved a quantum computing milestone, realising Certified Quantum Randomness and making previously theoretical experiments into meaningful, real-world uses for a quantum computer.

“When I first proposed my certified randomness protocol in 2018, I had no idea how long I’d need to wait to see an experimental demonstration of it,” said Prof Scott Aaronson, Schlumberger Centennial chair of computer science and director of the Quantum Information Center at The University of Texas at Austin. “I’m thrilled that JPMorganChase and Quantinuum have now built upon the original protocol and realised it. This is a first step toward using quantum computers to generate certified random bits for actual cryptographic applications.”

Randomness has many industrial uses, from solving complex mathematical problems to essential applications in areas such as cryptography, fairness and privacy. The group conducted the first successful demonstration of a novel quantum computing protocol to generate Certified Randomness.

The researchers leveraged a task originally designed to demonstrate quantum advantage, called Random Circuit Sampling (RCS), to perform a certified-randomness-expansion protocol, which outputs more randomness than it takes as input. This task is unachievable by classical computation.

The 56-qubit Quantinuum System Model H2 trapped-ion quantum computer, with its high-fidelity and all-to-all qubit connectivity, was used for this study, demonstrating that a quantum computer can now achieve computational power beyond that offered by the most powerful classical supercomputers. Accessing H2 remotely over the internet, the team generated certifiably random bits.

The protocol consisted of two steps. First, the team generated challenge random circuits and sent them to the untrusted remote quantum computer, which was then asked to return the corresponding samples. The response time was so quick that the challenge circuits could not be simulated classically in the same amount of time. This was tested against the best currently known techniques for simulating random circuits on the world’s most powerful supercomputers. Second, the randomness was mathematically certified to be genuine using classical supercomputers. This demonstrated randomness could not be mimicked by classical methods.

“This work marks a major milestone in quantum computing, demonstrating a solution to a real-world challenge using a quantum computer beyond the capabilities of classical supercomputers today,” said Dr Marco Pistoia, head of Global Technology Applied Research and distinguished engineer, JPMorganChase.

“Today, we celebrate a pivotal milestone that brings quantum computing firmly into the realm of practical, real-world applications,” said Dr Rajeeb Hazra, president and CEO of Quantinuum. “Our application of Certified Quantum Randomness not only demonstrates the unmatched performance of our trapped-ion technology but sets a new standard for delivering robust quantum security and enabling advanced simulations across industries like finance, manufacturing, and beyond.

“At Quantinuum, we are driving pioneering breakthroughs to redefine industries and unlock the full potential of quantum computing.”