D-Wave 2X™ - Dawn of a New Era in Quantum Computing
Incontestable leader of quantum computing, D-Wave Systems, has declared the launch of its latest model “D-Wave 2X”. New quantum computer boasts 1000+ qubits (1097 qubits to be exact) and an entire row of additional groundbreaking technological innovations that allow potential users to solve much more extensive and complicated problems than was previously possible.
D-Wave 2X is an ideal tool for resolution of optimization problems, in other words - for choosing the best possible solution out of the billions of potential ones. In January 2015 D-Wave Systems managed to raise $29 million for the project, however the main investor expressed a wish to remain anonymous.
Before moving on to the discussion of detailed specifications of this newly emerged technological wonder, it would be useful to clarify what’s it about.
What is Quantum computing
Quantum computing is a field of study, dedicated to the creation of quantum computers that use superposition and entanglement in order to accomplish data processing operations. The main difference between traditional transistor-based computers and quantum ones lies in the fact that the traditional ones process binary encoded data (bits: 0 or 1), while quantum computers operate with qubits (quantum bits).
How Quantum Computing works
Suffices to say that in compliance with collaborative report, published by NASA and Google, D-Wave 2X operates 100 million times quicker than conventional computer chips, while solving optimization problems. It was able to deliver the required answer within seconds. System running at 15 millikelvins is a part of the reason why unimaginable speed like that became a reality. It runs at almost absolute zero and definitely at much lower temperatures than those in space.
In comparison, such a complex and extensive task would have been accomplished within a period of 10 000 years by a conventional 1-core computer. Another part of the reason why D-Wave 2X operates considerably faster is the fact that it runs on qubits (quantum bits) as opposed to simple binary system of ones and zeros. For qubits, 0 and 1 pairs are processed at the same time, which is why calculations are performed at higher speed.
As of the beginning of 2016, these new processors are considered to be the most sophisticated circuits with incorporated superconductor that were effectively exploited in the production systems. It became possible due to 128000 Josephson tunnel junctions. Processors became considerably faster and much more robust of the boost in circuitry precision control as well as due to the noise reduction by approximately 50 percent.
Creation of specific benchmarks for testing
Given that there are only a couple of enterprises that work on the creation of quantum computers, D-Wave Systems had to establish their own benchmarks for testing of the new system. The established benchmarks represented an array of combinatorial optimization problems that were the reflection of potential real life challenges. Benchmarks were based on the most commonly used principle of finding a solution that is “the closest to the ideal” or “the best possible, given certain amount of time and funds”.
The results of D-Wave 2X™ performance in compliance with above-mentioned benchmarks:
Based on the total time spent on processing, D-Wave 2X delivered near-optimal solution 15 times quicker than conventional solvers.
Depending on the input data, D-Wave 2X delivers near-optimal solution 2 to 600 times quicker than advanced and fine-tuned classical solvers.In instances, where the input problems allowed for calculation of the difference between “optimal” and “near-optimal” solutions, such difference did not exceed 1%. Overall, the performance of D-Wave 2X in finding near-optimal solutions is 100 faster than in conventional solvers.
In instances, where the input problems allowed for calculation of the difference between “optimal” and “near-optimal” solutions, such difference did not exceed 1%. Overall, the performance of D-Wave 2X in finding near-optimal solutions is 100 faster than in conventional solvers.
D-Wave 2X™ undeniably marks a new era in the field of quantum computing. Despite the fact that the industry as a whole is currently in its embryo state, D-Wave Systems managed to make a huge step in the direction of further quantum computing advancements. D-Wave 2X™ Quantum Computer is currently available for purchasing. Companies (like NASA) that require resolution of sophisticated and complex problems will definitely benefit from installation of this system. At the moment, its total cost is $15 million.
