World's first portable quantum computers on sale in Japan: Prices start at $8,700

December 21, 2022  10:30

The world's first portable quantum computers, Gemini Mini, Gemini and Triangulum, developed by the Chinese company SpinQ Technology, are on sale in Japan. The price for the simplest Gemini Mini 2-cubit system starts at $8,700, while the most expensive model of the three will cost about $58,000.

According to the Japanese portal PC Watch, in the past SpinQ Technology supplied its 2-Kubit quantum systems to educational institutions in China, Taiwan and Canada, where students could learn the principles of programming on quantum systems on these devices. Now anyone can buy such a device.

Gemini Mini is a conditionally portable, entry-level 2-cubit system (27 ± 1.5 MHz (H) and 11 ± 0.5 MHz (P) qubit frequencies) equipped with a touch screen. The coherence hold time is >20ms. The device weighs 14 kilograms with dimensions of 200 × 350 × 260 mm and costs, as noted, about $8,700. The device has built-in CASTOR software, allowing it to simulate the operation of 8 qubits.

Gemini-Mini

The Gemini model is several times more expensive at around $43,000. What advantages it has over the Gemini Mini and why it is more expensive is not entirely clear. Like the previous model, Gemini contains only 2 qubits, but can simulate 8 qubits. The qubit frequency (H) is 41.3 ± 2 MHz. The coherence hold time is >20 ms. The device weighs 44 kilograms with dimensions of 600 × 280 × 530 mm.

Gemini

The Triangulum, unlike the first two, is a 3-qubit system with a qubit frequency (F) of 39.6 ± 1 MHz. The coherence hold time is >40 ms. It has a built in program software, SpinQuasar, which probably also gives the ability to simulate more qubits. The device weighs 40 kilograms at 610 × 330 × 550 mm.

Triangulum

All three devices could be used for training, but they will reportedly not be suitable for scientific experiments.

Quantum computer: What is it?

A quantum computer is a computing device based on the phenomenon of quantum mechanics: unlike "normal" computers, quantum computers do not operate with bits but with qubits (quantum bits), which makes them much more efficient and faster.

While a bit can take a value of 0 or 1, a qubit can take both 0 and 1 at the same time, giving quantum computers the ability to save a lot of time and perform calculations much faster than conventional computers.

SpinQ Technology quantum systems 

SpinQ Technology's quantum systems are based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology, which is used today in many applications ranging from the chemical industry to medicine. According to habr.com, irradiation of certain substances with radiofrequency radiation leads to a change in the direction of the spins of a substance's atoms: it makes it possible to control the spins of atoms in molecules and "force" neighboring atoms to interact with each other. Changing the spins of atoms (0 to 1) and the interaction of spins of neighboring atoms allows to simulate mathematical operations and obtain results.

Quantum-Computing

Dimethylphosphite, a tetrahedral molecule consisting of one phosphorus atom (P), one hydrogen atom (H), oxygen, and two CH3O groups, is used as a working substance in SpinQ quantum systems. At room temperature, dimethylphosphite looks like a colorless liquid.

Many experts consider dimethylphosphite an ideal substance for small quantum computers: in it, phosphorus and hydrogen atoms serve as separate qubits, they are linked to each other and are close enough to each other for effective interaction and manifestation of quantum properties, but at the same time, they can be controlled independently of each other.

In the company's devices, several drops of dimethylphosphite are placed in a small sealed flask, around which are placed magnets that create a magnetic field of up to 1 tesla. There is also a second magnetic ring that corrects the magnetic field created by the first ring.

Magnets and dimethylphosphite are two key components of SpinQ Technology quantum computers. Dimethylphosphite-based devices were tried 30 years ago, but then scientists used superconducting magnets, which required a giant cooling system to dissipate heat. The Chinese quantum systems do not require such cooling, which makes them quite miniature.


 
 
 
 
  • Archive