AI and quantum computing are considered to be the two major technologies that will have the greatest impact on our evolution in the coming years. AI development appears to be much accelerated thanks to open source projects of all kinds, but quantum computing experiments require prohibitively expensive and cumbersome hardware. The quantum computing field is relatively slow to develop, but some companies such as China-based SpinQ and Japan-based Switch-Science are already looking at solutions that could help democratize access for the masses. doing.
SpinQ / Switch-Science’s Gemini Mini, Gemini, and Triangulum portable quantum computer models are much smaller than today’s fastest quantum computers, so their computational power drops proportionately. Compared to IBM’s Osprey QPU, which integrates 433 qubits, the portable SpinQ processor only offers up to 3 qubits. Of course, with its reduced size, qubit technology is also more rudimentary. Instead of superconducting qubits, which require very low temperatures, portable quantum processors come with qubits that operate on the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance. Unfortunately, this type of technology does not unlock the quantum entanglement properties that make QPUs potentially faster than transistor-based processors.
SpinQ models are considered portable, but the most compact version weighs 14 kg, so don’t expect to carry it around like a laptop. Doesn’t provide enough processing power to run resolution scenarios. They are intended as educational devices to introduce users to quantum circuit programming. Pricing is also not what we would call mainstream.
SpinQ’s most affordable quantum computer is represented by the Gemini Mini model. With dimensions of 200 x 350 x 260 mm and a weight of 14 kg, dual queuing providing >20 ms coherence times with >10 gate operations per dual qubit circuit or >30 operations per single qubit It has a bit processor. It is the only model with an integrated display that gives users easy access to up to 18 demo algorithms complete with documentation and training material. The entire device requires 60 W of power, which translates to US$8,100 in Japanese Yen.
For the mid-range Gemini model, you can forget about portability as the device resembles a rounded PC tower case measuring 600 x 280 x 530 mm and weighing 44 kg. The power requirement increases to 100 W, but the processor has only two qubits with the same coherence of over 20 milliseconds. However, one qubit can handle 200 gate operations, whereas a dual-qubit circuit is capable of 20 gate operations. All this for just US$41,500.
At around US$57,400, the flagship Triangulum model is significantly less expensive than the Gemini model. Despite its large 610 x 330 x 560 mm case, this model weighs 40 kg. We offer more advanced 3-qubit processors with coherence times greater than 40ms for extended working times, but with a processing power of 40 gate operations per single qubit, or 8 gates per dual or triple qubit circuit. Reduced to operations. This model requires 330 W of power to increase the coherence time.
Quantum computing for the masses is still a long way off when looking at the pricing of these models. Processing power is also very limited right now, but at least some efforts are being made on miniaturization and mass production.
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I was seven years old when I entered the wonderful world of IT&C. I was immediately fascinated by computer graphics in games and 3D applications like 3D Max. I’m also an avid science fiction reader, astrophysics enthusiast, and crypto geek. In 2006 he started writing PC related articles and some blogs on Softpedia. In the summer of 2017 he joined the Notebookcheck team and is now a senior technical his writer covering mostly processor, GPU and laptop news.
