Quantum – the integration journey
At Pawsey, our commitment to pioneering technology keeps us at the forefront, with Setonix currently ranking as the fastest and most energy-efficient supercomputer in the Southern Hemisphere. Part of our venture into quantum computing involves hosting the world’s first room-temperature diamond-based quantum computer on-site at our Kensington facility, and this is just the beginning.
Quantum computers tackle computational problems currently beyond classical computers’ reach by leveraging quantum bits or qubits, which can represent both one and zero simultaneously. This unique approach has the potential for quantum computers to compress calculations that might take years for traditional supercomputers into weeks or months.
When fully realised, quantum computing’s impact across scientific fields such as astronomy, life sciences, medicine, finance, and defense will be transformative.
Want to learn more? Check out this video by Pawsey intern Allison Ng as she breaks down quantum computing
Pawsey’s role
We’re actively collaborating with SMEs, supporting incubators, and partnering with industry and academia to drive quantum computing uptake in Australia. Our collaboration extends across the globe, involving quantum leaders and innovators from Perth to Melbourne, the UK, Finland, Germany and Uruguay.
In partnership with Quantum Brilliance, the Pawsey Quantum Pioneers Program is an initiative for selected researchers to develop cutting-edge quantum applications in machine learning, logistics, defence, aerospace, quantum finance and quantum research.
Get to know these quantum pioneers here
See more: Quantum Computing for Industry Growth
A quantum computing world-first
Pawsey has the world’s first room-temperature diamond-based quantum computer located on-site in a supercomputing facility, thanks to our partnership with Australian-German start-up Quantum Brilliance.
The first integration of quantum computing systems in a supercomputing centre will be used to demonstrate and test hybrid models of quantum and classical computing, by pairing the quantum accelerator with Setonix.
Quantum supercomputing is tricky. Most quantum systems must operate at 20 millikelvins, which is just below minus 273 Celsius. Generating those temperatures requires huge amounts of energy, making quantum computers impractical.
However, the Quantum Brilliance computer uses synthetic diamonds which have a lattice structure at the atomic level. A nitrogen atom has replaced a carbon atom in the diamond lattice, and we also have created a hole right next to that atom.
That hole allows us to interact with the electron spin that exists in that nitrogen vacancy and delivers a couple of advantages – most notably allowing the computer to operate at room temperature, and at computational speeds much faster than classical computing.
Through our partnership with Quantum Brilliance, we are developing a diagnostics and engineering solution for operating a quantum computer in an HPC environment. Our teams are working to collect and improve maintenance data and cycles, demonstrate classical and quantum co-processing, and integrate the system with Setonix.
Early 2023 we successfully ran our first job – a quantum ‘Hello World’ algorithm on our Quantum Brilliance room-temperature diamond-based system.
This algorithm was achieved by using a connection from the Setonix supercomputer directly to the quantum kit.
Watch this exciting journey unfold here:
Intensified Collaborations
Pawsey partners with Xanadu to work together and test the capabilities of integrating high-performance computing (HPC) and quantum computing technologies. The teams will leverage their existing hardware and algorithms expertise to improve the integration between Pawsey’s HPC and Xanadu’s quantum computing hardware and provide researchers with state-of-the-art hybrid computing capabilities.
We also partner with QuEra Computing to develop high-performance quantum emulation software for the Setonix supercomputer. The partnership will provide Pawsey with private cloud access to QuEra’s neutral-atom-based quantum computers, including quantum machine time, expert consulting services, and specialised training, helping us establish a national quantum ecosystem and accelerating research with access to neutral-atom technology.
In late 2023, the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) program granted Pawsey $5 million over two years to extend our national supercomputing and quantum computing innovation hub, pilot new projects, and develop quantum applications.
Upskilling for a quantum future
Pawsey is passionate about empowering the next generation to understand how quantum computing works.
Quantum computing requires a new set of skills. The UWA/Pawsey Quantum Computing Centre based at the University of Western Australia, is our commitment to upskilling researchers and students, ensuring they are ready for a quantum future.
The Centre is developing education programs focused on the approaching quantum computing revolution, providing participants with the first educational quantum computers in Australia.
Led by renowned quantum physicist Professor Jingbo Wang, the Centre offers two desktop quantum computers, the two-qubit SpinQ Gemini and the three-qubit SpinQ Triangulum system, operating at room temperature.
Together with Prof Wang, Pawsey is also supporting the Quantum Girls initiative launch in 2023 in Canberra, a national program aiming to bring quantum science and quantum computing into classrooms across Australia as well as STEM clubs and hackathons that are designed especially to inspire girls.
In 2022, Pawsey’s Executive Director, Mark Stickells, joined a team of expert advisors to the national advisory committee led by Australia’s Chief Scientist, Cathy Foley AO, committed to unlocking Australia’s Quantum capability across research, industry, and government sectors.
More recently, the Pawsey Summer Internship has seen more focus on projects in the fields of Quantum Computing and HPC.
2023 saw an increase in Quantum training delivered by Pawsey for Australian researchers, including:
As a result of those training activities a 2 weeks Quantum Bootcamp has been organised and it is currently taking registrations for a first week of intense online training followed by a week of an in person only event for a reduced number of participants.
We hope that in the future, the Centre will be accessible across Australia and allow people to access quantum computers from anywhere in the country.
Interested? Get in touch, by emailing help@pawsey.org.au or via our contact us page.