Entangled Things

In Episode 141, Mike Piech, Vice President of Business Development at Rigetti Computing, joins Patrick and Ciprian to talk hardware. Rigetti recently announced their 108-qubit system and is targeting 99.5% two-qubit gate fidelity by end of year, with a thousand physical qubits in sight by 2029. Mike breaks down why superconducting qubits are built on decades of semiconductor manufacturing know-how, what the Josephson junction actually does and why non-linearity is the key to isolating a usable qubit state, and why a macroscopic circuit behaving quantumly is one of the more remarkable phenomena in modern physics. The conversation also covers Rigetti's international work — including a 36-qubit system at the UK National Quantum Computing Centre and a new 108-qubit deployment in India with CDAC. The time to start learning quantum is now.

In Episode 140, Patrick and Ciprian are joined by Yoon Auh, founder of NUTS Technologies & BOLTS Technologies. The team discuss the unique approach to cryptography designed to future-proof data against quantum threats. Discover how his protocols enable dynamic encryption, adapting to evolving security needs. This conversation highlights the urgency of innovation and the strategic role of adaptable cryptography in today's rapidly changing landscape.

In Episode 139, Patrick and Ciprian are joined by Bert de Jong, senior scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The team discusses quantum computing's role in material science and energy, exploring industry challenges and strategic partnerships. The conversation emphasizes innovation urgency and national labs' influence on the future.

Bert de Jong is the Director of the Quantum Systems Accelerator, which is part of the National Quantum Initiative. In addition, de Jong is the Team Director of the Accelerated Research for Quantum Computing (ARQC) Team MACH-Q, funded by DOE ASCR, focused on developing software stacks for near-term quantum computing devices. In addition, de Jong has a program in AI and machine learning to understand biomolecular processes, and discover new materials and molecular crystals for gas adsorption. de Jong serves as the Department Head for Computational Sciences, and leads the Applied Computing for Scientific Discovery Group, which advances scientific computing by developing and enhancing applications in key disciplines, as well as developing HPC, quantum and AI tools and libraries for addressing general problems in computational science. 

In Episode 138, Patrick and Ciprian explore how MIT’s new photonic chip approach promises to pave the way for more scalable, energy-efficient trapped ion quantum computers. The team discuss why controlling ions with integrated photonics could dramatically lower costs, boost qubit stability, and solve long-standing scalability hurdles. They also break down how these tiny antennas routing light directly to the trapped ions remove the need for bulky external lasers, opening the door to compact, room-temperature quantum systems, potentially revolutionizing everything from nanotech to medicine.

In Episode 137, Scott Genin, Vice President of Materials Discovery at OTI Lumionics, unveils how GPU-accelerated quantum chemistry is revolutionizing material science. The discussion highlights the limitations of current quantum hardware and the role of AI in overcoming these challenges. Scott shares insights into how classical simulations can mimic quantum computers, pushing the boundaries of what's possible. He emphasizes the significance of these advancements for real-world applications, from OLEDs to new catalysts. This episode is essential for anyone interested in the future of quantum computing and material discovery. See more about the announcement here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.08883

In Episode 136, Patrick and Ciprian dive into the last five years of Entangled Things and explore potential of quantum computing over the next five years, focusing on the critical signals that indicate breakthrough moments. They discuss the parallels between quantum and AI advancements, highlighting how sudden leaps in technology can redefine industries. The conversation covers the evolution of quantum sensors, the synergy between classical and quantum computing, and the importance of error correction and qubit stability.

In Episode135, Patrick, Ciprian, and Nanak Nihal Khalsa discuss the critical importance of transitioning to post-quantum cryptography. The team explore the challenges faced by the industry, the dual threats posed by AI and quantum computing, and the need for proactive measures to secure digital identities and assets. The discussion highlights the urgency of addressing these issues before they become imminent threats, emphasizing the role of narratives in shaping the future of blockchain and quantum computing.

In Episode 134, Ray Harishankar discusses the critical importance of quantum safe. He highlights the challenges posed by quantum algorithms, the need for enterprises to understand their encryption, and the steps to take to address these issues. The discussion also covers the current state of awareness among organizations, the importance of taking action now, and the need for industry collaboration to ensure a secure future against quantum threats.

In Episode 133, Yuval Boger from QuEra discusses the revolutionary impact of room-temperature quantum computing, focusing on the advancements in neutral atom technology. The conversation covers the scalability of error-corrected qubits, and the strategic benefits over other quantum modalities. Yuval also highlights the importance of collaborations with institutions like Harvard and MIT, and the implications for industries such as pharmaceuticals and cryptography. This episode emphasizes the need for industries to adapt to these innovations, paving the way for a new era of technological advancement.

In Episode 132, Patrick and Ciprian delve into the multifaceted world of quantum technology, discussing its implications in computing, communication, security, and sensing. They explore the current state of quantum computing, the challenges of quantum key distribution, and the potential synergy between quantum technology and artificial intelligence. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding quantum phenomena and its applications in various fields, emphasizing the need for continued research and innovation.