Pasqal, a French quantum computing company, has recently introduced its neutral-atom quantum computing technology on the Microsoft Azure Quantum cloud service. This marks a significant milestone as it becomes the first neutral-atom quantum computer available through Microsoft’s platform. By leveraging this technology, businesses and researchers can now access Pasqal’s quantum computing capabilities via the cloud, eliminating the need for expensive infrastructure investments associated with traditional quantum computers.
The collaboration between Pasqal and Microsoft aims to democratize access to quantum technologies, enabling a new era of computing. Loïc Henriet, co-CEO of Pasqal, emphasized the joint effort to drive innovation in quantum computing. Pasqal’s quantum computer utilizes neutral-atom technology, offering analog quantum computational capabilities. Each qubit is represented by a single neutral atom trapped in an “atomic registry” using optical tweezers. Computational tasks are performed by applying laser pulses to these atoms, enabling operations at room temperature without the need for supercooling.
Despite the groundbreaking nature of this development, the exact number of qubits available on the cloud-based quantum offering remains undisclosed. Pasqal, established in 2019, has garnered recognition for its advancements in quantum technology. Co-founder Professor Alain Aspect was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2022 for his contributions to entangled photons. Following a successful funding round in January 2023, Pasqal expanded its reach by deploying quantum computers in Saudi Arabia and Germany.
On the other hand, Microsoft’s Azure Quantum platform, launched in 2021, supports various quantum hardware architectures from partners like Quantinuum, IonQ, and Atom Computing. Recently, Microsoft introduced the Majorana 1 quantum processing unit, featuring a topological core named after the Majorana particle. This chip operates at near-absolute zero temperatures and incorporates topological superconducting nanowires with Majorana Zero Modes (MZMs) to enhance quantum processing capabilities.
The integration of Pasqal’s neutral-atom quantum technology into Microsoft Azure Quantum signifies a significant step towards advancing quantum computing accessibility and innovation. This collaboration underscores the ongoing efforts to expand the quantum computing landscape and accelerate research and development in this transformative field. As quantum technologies continue to evolve, the partnership between Pasqal and Microsoft paves the way for a future where quantum computing becomes more accessible and impactful across industries and scientific domains.
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