Nu Quantum is the First Industrial Partner to use White Rabbit for Quantum Technology Applications
In the pursuit of harnessing quantum computing’s full potential, a challenge stands in the way: scaling from today’s 1,000-qubit machines to the hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of qubits needed to build large-scale quantum machines that could solve some of humanity’s most complex problems. Traditional approaches, which focus on expanding a single quantum core, face significant technical roadblocks. But what if the answer lies not in striving to build a colossal quantum processor but in connecting many smaller ones to work together as one?
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This is the bold vision of Nu Quantum, a UK-based pioneer in quantum networking technologies and the first quantum industrial partner to join the White Rabbit Collaboration. Nu Quantum develops the networking infrastructure that will enable quantum computers to be interconnected into a larger, scalable system– a future data centre-scale quantum computing centre. Their technology focuses on developing interfaces to extract light efficiently from quantum processors as well as quantum networking hardware that facilitates the light-based links between computing nodes. This ambitious project recently received a significant boost: £2.3 million in UK government funding to build a world-first Quantum Networking Unit in a project that incorporates CERN-born White Rabbit (WR) technology for timing.
Synchronising the quantum network
At the heart of this approach lies a core concept of quantum physics: entanglement. To weave processors together into a distributed quantum computing machine, entanglement links must be generated between processors.. This approach is essential to scale up quantum computing and unlock transformative computational power to tackle outstanding challenges in industry and society. However, achieving this level of coordination demands ultra-precise timing and synchronisation.
This is where the WR technology comes in. Originally developed at CERN for particle-physics research, WR is an open-source precision timing system boasting sub-nanosecond accuracy, which is distributed via the Ethernet. It will enable synchronisation at the necessary level for Nu Quantum to scale quantum computing networks.
“The high-value systems we are creating need very precise and synchronised orchestration: White Rabbit is the perfect tool to deliver this, and we are delighted to be collaborating with CERN to make it happen.”
Ed Wood, VP of Product at Nu Quantum
Nu Quantum presented their prototype at the UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase on 8 November 2024. Organised by Innovate UK and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), in collaboration with the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme (UKNQTP), the showcase brought together over 2000 industry experts and enthusiasts.
Images are intellectual property of Nu Quantum Ltd.
It is not permitted to publish, reproduce, or distribute any images or text without prior written consent by Nu Quantum Ltd.