Welcome to our blog series, "Building the Future: Insights into Quantum Open Architecture." In this series, we explore the journey of quantum open architecture, highlighting its evolution, the role of specialisation, and future advancements. In our first article, we delve into the transition from academia to industry, a pivotal shift that set the stage for modern quantum computing.
Quantum computing began in academic labs where researchers developed full-stack quantum systems which utilise quantum mechanics to perform calculations. These academic groups were vertically integrated, meaning they built everything from the ground up, including qubits, control hardware, and even cryogenic fridges. As a result, this approach allowed researchers to control every aspect of their experiments, leading to many early breakthroughs.
However, the complexity and cost of building full-stack systems limited scalability and hindered broader industrial applications. Researchers often had to make significant compromises due to resource constraints, slowing down progress and innovation. Despite these challenges, academic efforts laid a solid foundation for the field, demonstrating the potential of quantum computing and inspiring further exploration.
Academic institutions, such as MIT and Delft University of Technology, were at the forefront of these efforts. Their foundational achievements demonstrated the feasibility of quantum computation but also highlighted the limitations of vertically integrated models. As the system sizes scaled, the engineering challenges became too big for individual academic groups to tackle. This was due to the increasing complexity of integrating various specialised components. These tasks required more diverse expertise and resources than a single group could provide.
The shift from academia to industry saw the emergence of specialised companies. Above all, specialisation allowed for the development of higher-quality components and accelerated innovation. This transition was heavily enabled by advancements from companies like Bluefors. Founded in 2008, Bluefors started providing essential cryogenic refrigerators for quantum experiments. Consequently, this marked a significant step toward commercial quantum computing.
Initially, companies such as Rigetti Computing developed their own control hardware, integrating it into their full-stack quantum systems. However, with the advent of specialised players such as Qblox and Quantum Machines, the focus has shifted. These new companies are now providing more specialised control hardware solutions. This enhances the performance and scalability of quantum computers, allowing other firms to concentrate on their core strengths.
Several years later, in 2021, QuantWare joined the market as the first provider of quantum processing units (QPUs), the brain of a quantum computer. Thus, these specialised companies began to focus on perfecting individual components, making it feasible to assemble more advanced and reliable quantum systems. This shift to quantum open architecture enabled various companies to contribute their expertise, leading to more efficient and scalable solutions.
The commercial quantum computing era began with the emergence of specialised companies such as Bluefors in 2008. This marked the beginning of the move towards quantum open architecture, where different companies focused on specific components.
The rise of commercial quantum computing entities allowed for more rapid advancements and scalability. As a result, companies like ParTec, which specialises in system integration, have played a crucial role in advancing quantum technologies. ParTec collaborates with various quantum hardware and software providers to create cohesive, functional quantum systems. This shift highlights the benefits of specialisation and collaboration, making advanced quantum technologies accessible to a broader audience.
These specialised quantum players exemplify the open architecture paradigm. Each company specialises in critical components. Our combined expertise and innovations create a cohesive ecosystem where quantum systems can be built more efficiently. This collaborative approach not only drives technological advancements but also makes quantum computing more accessible and scalable.
The evolution from vertically integrated academic efforts to a specialised, collaborative industrial approach has been crucial for the advancement of quantum computing. This transition has paved the way for modern quantum open architecture. Specifically, it enabled companies to innovate and develop quantum computing systems more efficiently. As we move forward, this foundation will continue to support significant breakthroughs and the broader adoption of quantum technologies.
By embracing specialisation and collaboration, the quantum computing industry can achieve new heights, driving innovation and making quantum technologies accessible to a wider range of users. This journey from academia to industry underscores the importance of open architecture in shaping the future of quantum computation.
