Microsoft Azure Quantum
| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Initial release | February 1, 2021[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
[edit]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 2023, Azure Quantum researchers found evidence consistent with the creation and control of Majorana quasiparticles for topological quantum computing.[8][9]
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][10]
Software
[edit]For quantum applications, Azure Quantum developed Q# (pronounciation: 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.[11]
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.[12]
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.[13]
Azure Quantum Elements
[edit]The Azure Quantum Elements platform combines artificial intelligence (AI) and traditional high-performance computing with quantum tools for materials science, chemistry and pharmaceutical research.[14]
In 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).[15]
References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ Gillis, Alexander. "What is Azure Quantum?". Tech Target. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ Kelley, Alexandra (10 Sep 2024). "Microsoft unveils new quantum computing hybrid solution in Azure". Nextgov. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
- ^ Boyle, Alan (4 Nov 2023). "Microsoft CEO says Azure Quantum will address the big challenges in computing". Geekwire. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Lardinois, Frederic (19 May 2020). "Microsoft's quantum computing platform is now in limited preview". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
- ^ a b c Russell, John (22 Jun 2023). "Microsoft Debuts Azure Quantum Elements and Azure Quantum Copilot LLM". HPCwire. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ a b Padavic-Callghan, Karmela (21 Jun 2023). "Microsoft says its weird new particle could improve quantum computers". New Scientist. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Finke, Doug; Shaw, David (21 Sep 2023). "A Deeper Dive Into Microsoft's Topological Quantum Computer Roadmap". Quantum Computing Report. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Krill, Paul (29 Sep 2020). "Microsoft taps LLVM for quantum computing". InfoWorld. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Microsoft puts new tools in the hands of chemical scientists". Fierce Electronics. 8 Jul 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-17.