QuEra Computing has announced a groundbreaking method for enhancing optimization calculations on its neutral-atom quantum computer, Aquila, developed alongside researchers from Harvard and Innsbruck Universities. Published in PRX Quantum, the research addresses the inherent connectivity limitations of qubits in Rydberg atom arrays, thereby enabling the solution of more complex optimization issues, such as maximum independent sets on graphs with arbitrary connectivity and quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) problems. This advancement opens new applications, particularly in logistics and pharmaceuticals, improving logistics scheduling, and optimizing protein design to accelerate drug development.
CEO Alex Keesling stated that this development enhances corporate collaborations in sectors like transport, retail, and robotics. The study reveals that while Rydberg atom arrays can traditionally solve maximum independent set problems, their previous encodings restricted them to specific geometric graphs. The new encoding method significantly broadens the scope of solvable issues, potentially leading to more efficient drug trial processes and increased pharmaceutical revenues. This breakthrough not only positions QuEra to deliver greater value to partners but also represents a significant milestone in the quantum computing field, offering a roadmap to tackle a variety of combinatorial optimization problems with current quantum technologies.
