The world’s first hybrid supercomputer operates

Japanese engineers start the world’s first hybrid super computer. Quantum computer 20 quibit called Reimei is integrated into Fugaku, the 6th fastest supercomputer in the world. This hybrid platform will operate to handle the calculations that classic supercomputers take much longer to solve. The machine is located at the Riken Science Institute in Saitama, near Tokyo, will be used mainly for physical and chemical research, according to representatives from Quantinuum, manufacturer Reimei and Riken, Live Science On 11/2 reported.

Someday, quantum computers can overcome classical computers with the potential to complete calculations for a few seconds or minutes while the most powerful machines today take millions of years. However, until the quantum computer is large enough and reliable, scientists say that integrating their capabilities into supercomputers can be an intermediary step. Unlike most quantum computers using superconducting quobit, Reimei uses ion trap quobit. This includes an inomactive isolation of charged or ion in an electromagnetic field called ion trap and using lasers to accurately control their quantum state.

Such methods allow scientists to use ions to use them as a quantum storage and processing quantum. The trap quibit is encouraged to connect more between quobits and longer cohesion time, while quantum quantum is faster and easier to build on the chip. The representative of the Riken Institute said they chose Quintinuum quantum computer to integrate because it has a unique structure that helps to switch Qubit. The “ion transport” process allows the quobit to move around the circuit as needed, facilitating the implementation of more complicated algorithms.

Qubit is often noisy, so to increase the efficiency of quantum computers, scientists develop techniques to fix errors to increase the reliability of the quobit. In Reimei, the quibit ion was grouped to create “quibit logic”, a quobit containing the same information in some places. Quibit logic is a key roadmap to reduce the desired quobit error, due to the distribution of information in different places to help spread the error point, thereby the quobit error does not interrupt the calculation is taking place.

Previously, Quantinuum achieved a breakthrough in creating a quibit logic with an error rate of 800 times lower than conventional quobit and integrated it into quantum computer processor. While Reimei – Fugaku is the first hybrid system to put into operation, many other companies have tested the same system. In June 2024, IQM integrated a quantum processor 20 quibit into supermuc-ng supercomputer in Garching, Germany. However, that system is still in the testing phase and has not confirmed the full operation date. In October last year, the representative of the IQM announced that the company would integrate a 54 quobit system into supercomputers in the second half of 2025.