Since its inception in February, the Azure Quantum Credits program has attracted applicants ranging from enterprise innovators and solution partners to academic researchers and student researchers. It was exciting to see the variety of proposals submitted – including using quantum hardware, accessible via Azure Quantum, to explore novel use cases, experiment with cutting-edge algorithms, and pursue applications in industries such as chemistry and materials science.
From New York to Tennessee, Hyderabad to Verona, and Finland to Canada, we’re excited to be the quantum platform of choice for research in areas as diverse as molecular energy estimation, quantum computing crosstalk, protein folding dynamics, and quantum machine learning at affordable price prediction and Quantum detection of cardiovascular events in cardiac signals.
We are pleased to showcase the creativity and energy of three of our credit recipients – the University of Washington, Bar-Ilan University and KPMG in collaboration with the Danish Technical University (DTU) – who use IonQ and/or Quantinuum hardware through the credits program .
Watch the video below to see these projects in action
The advantages of working with quantum hardware in the classroom are obvious. As Kai-Mei Fu, a professor of physics at the University of Washington, described, “Our students never had access to hardware. Many people think that you can do just about anything on a simulator. It turns out there are some surprising results that occur when you use a real quantum computer that are very important. Being on real machines via Azure Quantum is extremely valuable.”
Professor Emanuele Dalla Torre from the Department of Physics at Bar-Ilan University added: “With Azure Quantum, you can connect to different quantum computers. This allowed us to see that what we envisioned in our theoretical analysis was happening in the real world on a quantum computer. Our experiment with Azure Quantum has given us a clue as to what the potential near-term applications of quantum computing are.“
In a public-private research venture, solution partner KPMG collaborated with DTU on neural network-focused research using Azure Quantum Credits.
Bent Dalager, partner and global head of KPMG’s Quantum Hub, observed, “Azure Quantum democratized the ability to use quantum computing. Instead of having to rely on specific hardware, you can use a voice layer to do quantum computing over Azure Quantum in a tremendously more efficient way.”
Over the past six months, the Azure Quantum Credits program has expanded from its original offering of IonQ Harmony and Quantinuum H1 quantum processing units (QPUs). The associated simulator and emulator now also offers experiments with the 23 qubit algorithmic system from IonQ Aria, Quantinuum H2, and Rigetti’s 40 qubit Aspen 11 and the latest 80 qubit modular chip Aspen M-1 endpoints.
Pasqal’s neutral atom-based quantum technology will soon be available in the Azure Quantum Credits program, allowing innovators and explorers to take advantage of Pasqal’s impressive qubit connectivity and ability to directly manipulate neutral atoms.
The excitement we enjoyed during our weekly Azure Quantum Credits office hours was palpable, and we appreciated the value of community feedback in continually improving the credits program. For quantum educators, the Azure Quantum Credits program is a cornerstone of our one-stop resource for curriculum, examples, and tools to facilitate upskilling a quantum-ready workforce.
In addition to the $500 credits available for all users to experiment with participating Azure Quantum hardware partners, we’re committed to continuing to give practitioners and researchers the ability to build solutions on today’s leading quantum hardware using Azure Quantum – Explore credit grants. Accelerate your exploration and apply today.
