Q-CTRL integrates Fire Opal with RIKEN to drive quantum research

Q-CTRL is integrating its performance management software with RIKEN's IBM Quantum System Two, aiming to enhance hybrid quantum-classical computing for scientific and industrial use.

Project aims

The project supports research in areas such as chemistry, physics, and machine learning. By incorporating Q-CTRL's Fire Opal software into RIKEN's quantum systems, the initiative will allow dozens of research groups associated with the JHPC-quantum project to run more efficient and reliable quantum circuits. The effort is part of a broader attempt to expand computational domains through a quantum-HPC integrated platform under the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO).

Integration details

"Our mission at the JHPC-quantum project is to develop quantum-HPC hybrid workflows useful to science and industry. Integrating Q‐CTRL's Fire Opal into our IBM Quantum System Two environment gives users the ability to run more efficient, accurate quantum circuits without needing to change how they work. This is a meaningful step forward in enabling scientific and industrial progress through our quantum-HPC integrated platform," said Mitsuhisa Sato, Division Director of the Quantum-HPC Hybrid Platform Division, RIKEN Centre for Computational Science.

The Fire Opal software delivers automation of performance management and virtualisation, with error-reduction technology that Q-CTRL states leads to more than 1,000 times improvement in accuracy and efficiency. The system is available to all users in the RIKEN high-performance computing environment, which includes Japan's flagship supercomputer, Fugaku.

Research applications

The integration aims to reduce the inherent complexity of hybrid quantum-classical candidate applications. Research groups are particularly focused on investigations such as quantum chemistry, sample-based quantum diagonalisation, and advanced machine learning models. The new software is expected to support research efforts by decreasing computational overhead and increasing achievable result accuracy when utilising quantum circuits within hybrid workflows.

Industry strategy

"This integration of Fire Opal into RIKEN's system demonstrates how we are making quantum computing more useful by enabling abstracted hybrid classical-quantum workflows and removing the performance barriers that have historically held back the field. We are proud to support RIKEN's mission by delivering tools that accelerate outcomes for dozens of R&D teams focused on achieving quantum advantage in critical applications," said Aravind Ratnam, Chief Strategy Officer at Q-CTRL.

Hybrid quantum-classical models are viewed as key to short-term gains in practical quantum applications, as hardware capabilities develop globally. By deploying performance management software within high-performance computing (HPC) environments, research teams gain access to tools that could bring forward applications in chemistry, materials, and algorithm development.

Deployment scope

This deployment signifies the first on-premises HPC installation of Q-CTRL software worldwide and marks the company's second Fire Opal deployment in Japan. The previous deployment was at the Keio University Quantum Computing Centre for IBM users. The integration is viewed as a step towards supporting regional and global efforts in progressing quantum technology from experimental platforms to practical use cases within scientific and industrial communities.