Atos announces Q-score, the only universal metrics to assess quantum performance and superiority

Paris, December four, 2020

Atos introduces “Q-rating”, the very first universal quantum metrics, applicable to all programmable quantum processors. Atos’ Q-rating actions a quantum system’s effectiveness at managing serious-lifestyle problems, people which can’t be solved by standard desktops, alternatively than just measuring its theoretical effectiveness. Q-rating reaffirms Atos’ determination to provide early and concrete rewards of quantum computing. Over the previous 5 years, Atos has turn into a pioneer in quantum purposes by way of its participation in industrial and educational partnerships and funded tasks, doing the job hand-in-hand with industrials to create use-situations which will be able to be accelerated by quantum computing.

“Confronted with the emergence of a myriad of processor systems and programming techniques, corporations searching to make investments in quantum computing need a reliable metrics to support them pick out the most efficient route for them. Staying hardware-agnostic, Q-rating is an aim, basic and fair metrics which they can depend on,” claimed Elie Girard, Atos CEO. “Since the launch of ‘Atos Quantum’ in 2016, the very first quantum computing business system in Europe, our intention has remained the identical: advance the advancement of business and research purposes, and pave the way to quantum superiority.”

What does Q-rating measure?

Nowadays the range of qubits (quantum models) is the most frequent determine of advantage for examining the effectiveness of a quantum procedure. Even so, qubits are unstable and vastly vary in high-quality (pace, stability, connectivity, and so forth.) from a person quantum technology to one more (this kind of as supraconducting, trapped ions, silicon and photonics), generating it an imperfect benchmark software. By concentrating on the potential to resolve perfectly-recognised combinatorial optimization problems, Atos Q-rating will deliver research centers, universities, firms and technological leaders with specific, reliable, aim and comparable benefits when resolving serious-earth optimization problems.

Q-rating actions the precise effectiveness of quantum processors when resolving an optimization challenge, consultant of the close to-term quantum computing era (NISQ – Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum). To deliver a frame of reference for evaluating effectiveness scores and maintain uniformity, Q-rating depends on a common combinatorial optimization challenge, the identical for all assessments (the Max-Cut Difficulty, comparable to the perfectly-recognised TSP – Travelling Salesman Difficulty, see below). The rating is calculated based on the utmost range of variables inside this kind of a challenge that a quantum technology can enhance (ex: 23 variables = 23 Q-rating or Qs).

Atos will manage the publication of a annually list of the most strong quantum processors in the earth based on Q-rating. Because of in 2021, the very first report will involve precise self-assessments presented by companies.

Based on an open accessibility software package package deal, Q-rating is designed on three pillars:

• Application driven: Q-rating is the only metrics procedure based on close to-term offered quantum algorithms and actions a quantum system’s capacity to resolve simple operational problems
• Openness and ease of use: Common and cost-free, Q-rating rewards from Atos’ technology-neutral method. Its software package package deal, which includes equipment and methodology, does not demand weighty computation electrical power to determine the metrics
• Objectiveness and dependability: Atos brings together a hardware-agnostic, technology-agnostic method with a sturdy know-how in algorithm structure and optimization obtained doing the job with big business shoppers and technology leaders in the quantum field​. The methodology made use of to create Q-rating will be made public and open to assessment.

A cost-free software package kit, which allows Q-rating to be run on any processor will be offered in Q1 2021. Atos invites all companies to run Q-rating on their technology and publish their benefits.

Many thanks to the sophisticated qubit simulation capabilities of the Atos Quantum Finding out Equipment (Atos QLM), its strong quantum simulator, Atos is able to determine Q-rating estimates for many platforms. These estimates get into account the qualities publicly presented by the companies. Final results assortment all over a Q-rating of fifteen Qs, but development is rapid, with an approximated common Q-rating dating from a person 12 months back in the region of ten Qs, and an approximated projected common Q-rating dating a person 12 months from now to be higher than twenty Qs.

Q-rating has been reviewed by the Atos Quantum Advisory Board, a team of international authorities, mathematicians and physicists authorities in their fields, which satisfied on
December four, 2020.