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

Paris, December four, 2020

Atos introduces “Q-score”, the 1st common quantum metrics, relevant to all programmable quantum processors. Atos’ Q-score actions a quantum system’s usefulness at dealing with real-life troubles, those which can’t be solved by common computer systems, alternatively than just measuring its theoretical overall performance. Q-score reaffirms Atos’ dedication to supply early and concrete advantages of quantum computing. Around the past 5 a long time, Atos has grow to be a pioneer in quantum programs by way of its participation in industrial and academic partnerships and funded jobs, operating hand-in-hand with industrials to build use-conditions which will be equipped to be accelerated by quantum computing.

“Faced with the emergence of a myriad of processor systems and programming approaches, organizations searching to devote in quantum computing need a dependable metrics to aid them select the most efficient route for them. Being hardware-agnostic, Q-score is an goal, basic and honest metrics which they can rely on,” explained Elie Girard, Atos CEO. “Since the launch of ‘Atos Quantum’ in 2016, the 1st quantum computing marketplace plan in Europe, our goal has remained the similar: advance the enhancement of marketplace and study programs, and pave the way to quantum superiority.”

What does Q-score measure?

Nowadays the range of qubits (quantum units) is the most frequent determine of merit for examining the overall performance of a quantum system. Nonetheless, qubits are unstable and vastly differ in top quality (pace, stability, connectivity, etc.) from 1 quantum technological innovation to a different (these as supraconducting, trapped ions, silicon and photonics), generating it an imperfect benchmark software. By focusing on the means to resolve effectively-known combinatorial optimization troubles, Atos Q-score will supply study centers, universities, corporations and technological leaders with explicit, dependable, goal and equivalent benefits when solving real-environment optimization troubles.

Q-score actions the genuine overall performance of quantum processors when solving an optimization dilemma, representative of the in close proximity to-phrase quantum computing period (NISQ – Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum). To supply a body of reference for comparing overall performance scores and keep uniformity, Q-score depends on a common combinatorial optimization dilemma, the similar for all assessments (the Max-Reduce Problem, comparable to the effectively-known TSP – Travelling Salesman Problem, see beneath). The score is calculated primarily based on the utmost range of variables in these a dilemma that a quantum technological innovation can enhance (ex: 23 variables = 23 Q-score or Qs).

Atos will manage the publication of a annually checklist of the most highly effective quantum processors in the environment primarily based on Q-score. Due in 2021, the 1st report will include genuine self-assessments presented by suppliers.

Centered on an open up entry program offer, Q-score is built on three pillars:

• Application pushed: Q-score is the only metrics system primarily based on in close proximity to-phrase offered quantum algorithms and actions a quantum system’s potential to resolve realistic operational troubles
• Openness and relieve of use: Common and cost-free, Q-score advantages from Atos’ technological innovation-neutral method. Its program offer, such as applications and methodology, does not have to have heavy computation electric power to estimate the metrics
• Objectiveness and trustworthiness: Atos brings together a hardware-agnostic, technological innovation-agnostic method with a robust knowledge in algorithm style and optimization obtained operating with key marketplace clients and technological innovation leaders in the quantum field​. The methodology applied to develop Q-score will be manufactured public and open up to assessment.

A cost-free program package, which enables Q-score to be run on any processor will be offered in Q1 2021. Atos invites all suppliers to run Q-score on their technological innovation and publish their benefits.

Many thanks to the sophisticated qubit simulation abilities of the Atos Quantum Learning Device (Atos QLM), its highly effective quantum simulator, Atos is equipped to estimate Q-score estimates for many platforms. These estimates consider into account the qualities publicly presented by the suppliers. Results variety around a Q-score of 15 Qs, but progress is quick, with an approximated regular Q-score dating from 1 yr back in the place of 10 Qs, and an approximated projected regular Q-score dating 1 yr from now to be higher than twenty Qs.

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