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Microsoft Azure Quantum
Developer(s)Microsoft
Initial releaseFebruary 1, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-02-01)[1]

Microsoft Azure Quantum is a public cloud-based quantum computing platform developed by Microsoft, that offers quantum hardware, software, and solutions for developers to build quantum applications.[1][2] It supports variety of quantum hardware architectures from partners including Quantinuum, IonQ, and Atom Computing.[3] To run applications on the cloud platform, Microsoft developed the Q# quantum programming language.[4]

Azure Quantum also includes a platform for scientific research, Azure Quantum Elements. It uses artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and quantum processors to run molecular simulations and calculations in computational chemistry and materials science.[5]

Azure Quantum was first announced at Microsoft Ignite in 2019.[6] The platform was opened for public preview in 2021,[1] and Azure Quantum Elements was launched in 2023.[5]

Hardware

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In addition to its hardware partners on the platform, Microsoft is developing a topological quantum computer with qubits that are inherently resistant to error. The approach is based on Majorana quasiparticles, which act as their own antiparticle and have a charge and energy equal to zero, making qubits that are more resilient to disturbances.[7][8]

In September 2023, Azure Quantum researchers found evidence consistent with the creation and control of Majorana quasiparticles for topological quantum computing.[8][9]

In November 2024, the qubit virtualization system created 24 entangled logical qubits – a new record – on a neutral atom processor.[10] The work demonstrated detection and correction of errors while performing computations, including the first demonstration on record of loss correction in a commercial neutral-atom system from Atom Computing.[11]

Microsoft has also introduced three levels of implementation for quantum computing: foundational (noisy intermediate-scale qubits), resilient (reliable logical qubits), and scale (quantum supercomputers).[7][12]

In 2024, Microsoft applied a qubit virtualization system to Quantinuum's trapped ion quantum computer to create 12 logical qubits, the most reliable logical qubits on record at the time.[13] The work built upon a previous demonstration that reached error rates 800 times better than the achievement of the same quantum computer without virtualization.[13][14]

Microsoft and Photonic also performed a teleported CNOT gate between qubits physically separated by 40 meters. The work confirmed remote quantum entanglement between T-centers - a requirement for long-distance quantum communication.[15]

Software

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For quantum applications, Azure Quantum developed Q# (pronunciation: Q Sharp), a quantum programming language, and an open-source software development kit for quantum algorithm development and simulation.[1]

The Azure Quantum Resource Estimator estimates resources required to execute a given quantum algorithm on a fault-tolerant quantum computer.[16]

In 2023, Azure Quantum Elements added Microsoft Copilot, a GPT-4 based large language model tool to query and visualize data, write code, and initiate simulations.[7]

The same year, Microsoft developed Quantum Intermediate Representation (QIR) from LLVM as a common interface between programming languages and target quantum processors.[17]

Microsoft also developed gate-efficient algorithmic methods to perform faster Trotter steps with lower gate complexity, enabling efficient quantum simulations that reduce the required quantum hardware resources.[18]

Azure Quantum Elements

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The Azure Quantum Elements platform combines artificial intelligence (AI) and traditional high-performance computing with quantum tools for materials science, chemistry and pharmaceutical research.[19] The platform uses physics-based AI models and advanced algorithms to process complex research data and draw conclusions.[20]

In January 2024, Microsoft and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory used AI and HPC to model and screen 32 million new candidate materials to develop a more efficient rechargeable battery material. The joint project generated new material candidates, then conducted a hyper-accelerated search among them to reach a single suitable candidate that could potentially replace the lithium-ion.[21]

In July 2024, Microsoft released a Generative Chemistry tool for Azure Quantum Elements that uses generative AI to identify the right molecules to use for a particular application. Microsoft also released an Accelerated Density Functional Theory tool to simulate simulations of a molecule's electronic structure using density functional theory (DFT).[22]

Microsoft also used two logical qubits integrated with AI and cloud high-performance computing to solve a practical chemistry problem.[23] According to Microsoft, this case study on catalytic reactions producing chiral molecules represents the first time an HPC system, AI, and quantum computing hardware have been deployed together to solve a specific scientific problem.[23]

In pharmaceuticals, Azure Quantum Elements and HPC platform was integrated with 1910 Gentetics’ computational and wet lab biological information, laboratory automation powered by robotics and multimodal AI models for drug discovery.[24]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Leprince-Ringuet, Daphne (1 Feb 2021). "Microsoft's quantum cloud computing plans take another big step forward". ZDNet. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  2. ^ Gillis, Alexander. "What is Azure Quantum?". Tech Target. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  3. ^ Kelley, Alexandra (10 Sep 2024). "Microsoft unveils new quantum computing hybrid solution in Azure". Nextgov. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  4. ^ Boyle, Alan (4 Nov 2023). "Microsoft CEO says Azure Quantum will address the big challenges in computing". Geekwire. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  5. ^ a b Buntz, Brian (18 Jul 2023). "Microsoft goes all in on Azure Quantum to accelerate scientific discovery". Drug Discovery and Development. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  6. ^ Lardinois, Frederic (19 May 2020). "Microsoft's quantum computing platform is now in limited preview". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  7. ^ a b c Russell, John (22 Jun 2023). "Microsoft Debuts Azure Quantum Elements and Azure Quantum Copilot LLM". HPCwire. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  8. ^ a b Padavic-Callghan, Karmela (21 Jun 2023). "Microsoft says its weird new particle could improve quantum computers". New Scientist. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  9. ^ Aghaee, Morteza (21 Jun 2023). "InAs-Al hybrid devices passing the topological gap protocol". Physical Review B. 107 (24): 245423. arXiv:2207.02472. doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.107.245423. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  10. ^ Lardinois, Frederic (19 Nov 2024). "Microsoft and Atom Computing will launch a commercial quantum computer in 2025". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  11. ^ Timmer, John (19 Nov 2024). "Microsoft and Atom Computing combine for quantum error correction demo". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  12. ^ Finke, Doug; Shaw, David (21 Sep 2023). "A Deeper Dive Into Microsoft's Topological Quantum Computer Roadmap". Quantum Computing Report. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  13. ^ a b Smith-Goodson, Paul (2 Oct 2024). "Microsoft Azure Quantum: Accelerating Discovery In The Quantum Age". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  14. ^ Yirka, Bob (5 Apr 2024). "Quantinuum quantum computer using Microsoft's 'logical quantum bits' runs 14,000 experiments with no errors". Phys.org. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  15. ^ Finke, Doug (30 May 2024). "Photonic Inc. Demonstrates Distributed Entanglement Between Two Modules Separated by 40 Meters of Fiber". Quantum Computing Report. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  16. ^ Swayne, Matt (29 Jun 2024). "The Azure Quantum Resource Estimator: An In-Depth Look at an Important Quantum Tool". The Quantum Insider. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  17. ^ Krill, Paul (29 Sep 2020). "Microsoft taps LLVM for quantum computing". InfoWorld. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
  18. ^ Low, Guang Hao; Su, Yuan; Tong, Yu; Minh, Tran (9 May 2023). "Complexity of Implementing Trotter Steps". Physical Review X Quantum. 4 (2): 020323. arXiv:2211.09133. doi:10.1103/PRXQuantum.4.020323. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  19. ^ Finke, Doug (22 Jun 2024). "Microsoft Announces Additional Capabilities for Azure Quantum Elements for Research in Chemistry and Materials Science". Quantum Comoputing Report. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  20. ^ Kelley, Alexandra (21 Oct 2024). "Microsoft and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory bring AI to quantum chemistry research". Nextgov. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  21. ^ Smith-Goodson, Paul (25 Jan 2024). "Microsoft Uses AI And HPC To Analyze 32 Million New Materials". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  22. ^ "Microsoft puts new tools in the hands of chemical scientists". Fierce Electronics. 8 Jul 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  23. ^ a b Ahlgren, Linnea (10 Sep 2024). "Microsoft, Quantinuum combine HPC, AI, quantum to solve real-world chemistry problem". The Next Web. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  24. ^ "1910 Genetics and Microsoft partner to enhance pharmaceutical R&D". Pharmaceutical Technology. 1 Mar 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
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