On February 18, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Defense Sciences Office (DSO) posted a funding opportunity for Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing (US2QC). Abstracts are due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on March 23.
DARPA is soliciting innovative approaches to address challenges related to quantum computing. The US2QC program will explore innovative approaches to constructing a utility-scale fault-tolerant quantum computer. Proposed research should investigate approaches that enable revolutionary advances in design, engineering, testing, and evaluation of such systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.
It has been credibly hypothesized – but not proven – that quantum computers will have a transformative impact on a variety of scientific and technical disciplines. Two separate factors make the ultimate impact of quantum computing unclear. First, although a number of algorithms and applications for quantum computers have been suggested, in most cases a rigorous comparison to the best classical alternatives for real-world usage has not been completed. Second, it is unclear when or if a “utility-scale” quantum computer – one whose computational value exceeds its costs – can be built, particularly for applications that require fault-tolerance.
The complexity of a fault-tolerant utility-scale quantum computer could approach or exceed that of a classical supercomputer. A verification and validation effort which demonstrates that a utility-scale design is viable, that all the necessary components and sub-systems for the computer can be produced at the required specifications, and that all these components and sub-systems can be successfully integrated would likely be a difficult, multi-year process. Many scientists and engineers predict that a utility-scale quantum computer based on conventional designs is still decades away, making this type of verification and validation effort premature.
However, if an underexplored approach to quantum computing is discovered that enables utility scale quantum computing much faster than anticipated, DARPA is interested in the immediate and timely verification and validation of the approach’s viability – performed in parallel with ongoing research and development efforts.
The primary goal of the US2QC program is to determine if an underexplored approach to quantum computing is capable of achieving utility-scale operation much faster than conventional predictions.
Review the full DARPA US2QC funding opp.
Source: SAM
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