Grupo AIA and ICFO, working together for Quantum Computing

Grupo AIA and Instituto de Ciencias Fotónicas (Institute of Photonics), ICFO, have signed a renewable 4-year collaboration agreement to establish the framework for continuous team-up collaboration.With this agreement, Grupo AIA becomes a member of the Corporate Liaison Program of ICFO to strengthen synergies between both organizations aiming at fostering cooperation for achieving common goals.

As a member of the Corporate Liaison Program, Grupo AIA will get support from the KTT department of ICFO to focus on finding common interests between Grupo AIA´s R&D areas and ICFO´s initiatives and making contacts with researchers from Instituto de Ciencias Fotónicas.

One of these activities is related to Quantum Computing. Within the H2020 project, the EU has funded research and development in Quantum Computing, particularly for the development of a multipurpose Quantum computer.

Implementing a quantum computer for experimental purposes is based on two types of technologies: photonic and the so called “cold atoms”. These systems are inherently unstable, and therefore require an automatic control system to keep them working. It´s here where Machine Learning techniques, such as Reinforced Reinforcement Learning can improve stability dynamically.

Another area where Machine Learning could contribute to the progress of Quantum Computing is through models that learn how the physical parameters of quantum computers behave. Thus, this model can be used as a simulator to observe the effects of different configurations of the physical parameters without experimental work.

As part of the Horizon 2020 project, a research study of the evolution of Machine Learning algorithms, will also be carried out, also known as Quantum Machine Learning, as these algorithms take advantage of quantum computers capacities. This will allow to tackle the quantum version of the neural networks to solve problems that cannot be solved through classical computers.

A particularly attractive area for quantum computers development is solving NP-Complete e type problems, the complexity and solution time consuming of these problems grow exponentially with their size. Therefore, we cannot solve them through classical computers in a reasonable time. Applying solutions for NP-Complete problems to diverse industrial areas could lead to processes optimization such as distributors routes for an ecommerce company aimed at reducing pollutant emissions and increasing benefits.

The EU has joined the Quantum Computing race, also participating the U.S and China. These three actors are leading the quantum research lines based on three main pillars:

• Quantum computing
• Quantum cryptography
• Quantum communication

Grupo AIA, as part of its R&D activities, is determined to join the state-of-the-art and develop the necessary tools for the development of a multipurpose quantum computer by working together with the main agents of quantum research and participating in EU projects such as Quantum flagship  along with ICFO.