On April 28th, QuSoft (the Dutch research centre for quantum software), the Paris Centre for Quantum Computing (PCQC) and the University of Latvia signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly push the frontiers of quantum information theory and develop quantum software for the future quantum computer.
Through the MoU the three institutions plan to exchange undergraduates, postgraduates, postdoctoral students and members of staff. The MoU will also facilitate the joint hosting of scientific conferences, workshops and outreach activities. Furthermore, it is expected to enable joint funding opportunities from national, European and international funding bodies.
With the recent breakthroughs in hardware development, for many it is no longer a question of if but when the quantum computer will come. In the classical computer, computations involve binary digits (ones and zeros, also called bits). Quantum computing on the other hand takes advantage of strange properties of quantum mechanics superposition and interference. Where a classical bit can only be 1 OR 0, a qubit can be in a so called superposition of 1 AND 0, which means that it can be in more states at the same time. In a quantum computer these properties are cleverly combined for large collections of qubits, which can bring vastly improved computational power.
To take advantage of this possibility, it is vital that new protocols and algorithms are designed that are adapted to the quantum computer. With quantum software, mankind will be able to apply these machines for real world problems. The collaborating partners aim to further the development of quantum software, and to ensure a comprehensive understanding of how a quantum computer can perform information processing tasks more efficiently and store certain types of information in a more economic way.
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