Los Alamos National Laboratory Upgrades to D-Wave 2000Q™ Quantum Computer

New system enables expanded research and application development.


BURNABY, British Columbia, March 05, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- D-Wave Systems Inc., the leader in quantum computing systems, software, and services, today announced that Los Alamos National Laboratory has upgraded their D-Wave quantum computer to the D-Wave 2000Q system. Los Alamos is investing in D-Wave quantum technology to expand its foundational quantum computing research, enabling exploration of new and diverse quantum computing applications.

The Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science to address national security priorities, acquired the 1000+ qubit D-Wave 2X quantum computer in 2015. Now, with on-premises access to more than 2000 qubits on the D-Wave 2000Q system, Los Alamos researchers and partners can leverage its advanced hardware, features, and functionality, such as faster performance, improved annealing controls, and the ability to embed and solve larger and more complex problems.

Los Alamos will have the option to upgrade to D-Wave’s upcoming next-generation architecture and state-of-the-art quantum computing platform, which will encompass a new topology, more qubits, and lower noise, and will feature expanded software and tools.

To date, Los Alamos and its research collaborators have built over 60 early quantum applications and conducted essential research in domains ranging from quantum mechanics, linear algebra, computer science, and machine learning, to earth science, biochemistry, sociology, and more.

“We are pleased that the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration Advanced Simulation and Computing program funded the upgrade of the D-Wave system, allowing us to continue to explore quantum simulation and algorithms at larger scales,” said Irene Qualters, associate laboratory director for Simulation and Computation at Los Alamos National Laboratory. “D-Wave has been a valued strategic partner in Los Alamos’ pursuit of a new technology that is part of the expanding heterogeneous landscape of computing. Such strong partnerships aid the Laboratory and DOE in the development of the nation’s workforce for the future.”

In addition to Los Alamos’ research collaborators, the D-Wave 2000Q quantum computer will be available for use by graduate and undergraduate students at their annual Quantum Computing Summer School Fellowship, an immersive 10-week curriculum that includes tutorials from world-leading experts in quantum computing, as well as mentoring from Los Alamos staff scientists who are conducting cutting-edge research.

“Los Alamos is a global leader in high performance computing and continues to pioneer the application of new architectures to solve critical problems. Their collaborative work with D-Wave has opened the door for universities and leading researchers across the country to use our quantum computer for vital research and application development,” said Vern Brownell, D-Wave CEO. “This upgrade highlights our mutual commitment to equip scientists with the latest technology to solve the most pressing research questions of today, and to accelerate the identification and development of practical commercial quantum applications.”

About D-Wave Systems Inc.

D-Wave is the leader in the development and delivery of quantum computing systems, software, and services and is the world's first commercial supplier of quantum computers. Our mission is to unlock the power of quantum computing for the world. We believe that quantum computing will enable solutions to the most challenging national defense, scientific, technical, and commercial problems. D-Wave's systems are being used by some of the world's most advanced organizations, including Lockheed Martin, Volkswagen, DENSO, Google, NASA Ames, USRA, USC, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. With headquarters near Vancouver, Canada, D-Wave's US operations are based in Palo Alto, CA and Hanover, MD. D-Wave has a blue-chip investor base including PSP Investments, Goldman Sachs, Bezos Expeditions, DFJ, In-Q-Tel, BDC Capital, PenderFund Capital, 180 Degree Capital Corp., and Kensington Capital Partners Limited. For more information, visit: www.dwavesys.com.

About Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Triad, a public service oriented, national security science organization equally owned by its three founding members: Battelle Memorial Institute (Battelle), The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS), and The Regents of the University of California (UC) for the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.  For more information, visit: www.lanl.gov.

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