First operation of IBM's next-generation quantum computer outside the U.S. begins at RIKEN

IBM's next-generation quantum computer "IBM Quantum System Two" has been installed at the RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS) in Kobe City and has begun operation. A commemorative ceremony was held on-site on June 24, unveiling the first IBM next-generation quantum computer ever installed outside the United States.

The commemorative ceremony was attended by RIKEN President Makoto Gonokami, IBM Quantum Vice President Jay Gambetta, IBM Japan President Akio Yamaguchi, as well as local Diet members, the Governor of Hyogo Prefecture, the Mayor of Kobe City, and officials from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

This quantum computer is equipped with IBM's 156-qubit Heron processor, which IBM claims is the highest-performing quantum processor in its history.

The processor quality, measured by the two-qubit error rate in a 100-qubit layered circuit, is 0.003 (with the best two-qubit error being 0.001), which is equivalent to 10 times better than the previous-generation 127-qubit Eagle processor.

The Heron processor operates at a speed of 250,000 CLOPS (circuit layer operations per second), representing more than a 10-fold improvement over the previous-generation Eagle processor within one year. Based on these high quality and speed metrics, this is considered the highest-performing quantum processor at present in the world at the 156-qubit scale. The IBM Quantum System Two equipped with Heron is installed in the same building as the supercomputer "Fugaku" at R-CCS, one of Japan's leading high-performance computing (HPC) centers.

By connecting this with Fugaku, it becomes possible to conduct research on advanced algorithms such as fundamental chemistry problems using quantum-centric supercomputing approaches.

Both computers are connected through high-speed networks at the fundamental instruction level, forming a demonstration ground for quantum-centric supercomputing. This fundamental-level integration enables RIKEN and IBM researchers to develop parallelized workloads, low-latency classical-quantum communication protocols, and advanced compilation passes and libraries.

Since quantum systems and classical systems have different computational strengths, each paradigm can seamlessly execute the parts of algorithms for which their respective capabilities are best suited.

IBM's Gambetta stated, "The new IBM Quantum System Two powered by our latest Heron processor and connected to Fugaku, will allow scientists and engineers to push the limits of what is possible."

Division Director Mitsuhisa Sato of the Quantum-HPC Hybrid Platform Division at RIKEN R-CCS, said, "Our mission is to develop and demonstrate practical quantum-HPC hybrid workflows that can be explored by both the scientific community and industry. The connection of these two systems enables us to take critical steps toward realizing this vision." The expectation is that the achievements accumulated so far in the quest to discover algorithms that demonstrate quantum advantage will be further expanded going forward.