Riverlane launches SurgeonQ project for real-world quantum capabilities

Riverlane, the Cambridge-based quantum computer company – motto “to make quantum computing useful far sooner than previously imaginable” – has announced the launch of the SurgeonQ project with IQM Quantum Computers and Zurich Instruments.

The three companies all contribute in different ways to the project:

- Riverlane is the global leader in quantum error correction technology, and its participation will involve its flexible and efficient QEC Stack Deltaflow, which can detect and correct quantum errors in real-time.

- IQM Quantum Computers, a Finnish leader in superconducting quantum computers, will supply a 20-qubit processor and provide its expertise on experimental implementations.

- Zurich Instruments, recognised globally for quantum control systems, will integrate its ‘Quantum Computing Control System’ allowing for real-time communication between the quantum processor and QEC Stack, essential for rapid error correction.

The strategic collaboration has set itself the task of creating the first quantum computing platform capable of running multiple real-time quantum error correction operations. The SurgeonQ project “represents progress towards commercially viable quantum computing systems”, says Riverlane.

Quantum computers could tackle some of society’s most complex issues, from designing new materials for clean energy to accelerating drug discovery and optimising supply chains. Achieving this will require quantum computers to scale from performing a few hundred error-free operations, as seen in today’s best machines, to trillions. This leap necessitates the development of advanced techniques collectively known as quantum error correction (QEC).

Currently, QEC faces a trade-off between flexibility and low latency. Flexibility refers to running several different QEC experiments using the same setup. To minimise latency, the system is typically constrained to running a single, predefined QEC operation, adversely impacting flexibility. To support fault-tolerant quantum computing at scale, both flexibility and low latency are essential.

The SurgeonQ project will address this trade-off by focusing on a QEC experiment called lattice surgery. This established method operates on logical qubits encoded from multiple physical qubits. It allows complex logical operations by merging and reshaping these qubit clusters within a two-dimensional lattice. The SurgeonQ platform is a first step towards a lattice-surgery platform that can select and execute multiple QEC operations in real-time and on IQM’s superconducting hardware.

“The collaboration between Zurich Instruments, Riverlane, and IQM allows all partners to advance towards the ultimate goal of achieving useful quantum computing,” said Flavio Heer, CTO of Zurich Instruments.

“Launching SurgeonQ is an exciting step toward overcoming one of quantum computing’s toughest barriers: advancing quantum error correction from experimental prototyping to practical, deployable platforms,” said Marco Ghibaudi, VP of engineering at Riverlane.