RIKEN and Fujitsu Launch Collaborative R&D Center in Japan

RIKEN and Fujitsu announced the opening of the "RIKEN RQC-Fujitsu Collaboration Center" to promote joint research and development of foundational technologies to put superconducting quantum computers into practical use. More specifically, Riken and Fujitsu will develop hardware and software technologies to realize a quantum computer with as many as 1000 qubits and develop applications using a prototype quantum computer. These efforts will be centered around RIKEN's ongoing work with advanced superconducting quantum computing technologies along with Fujitsu's computing technologies. These capabilities will be integrated with applied knowledge of quantum technologies based on a customer perspective, which has been acquired from application of Fujitsu's Digital Annealer, supporting joint research and development activities to accelerate the practical application of such technologies.

The collaboration center is positioned within the "RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing," also established on April 1 for the purpose of driving R&D into quantum computers and related fundamental theories, technologies, hardware, and software.

With the establishment of the new collaboration center, RIKEN and Fujitsu will further pursue the joint research on superconducting quantum computers first announced in October 2020, and will clarify the organizational mission and strengthen the R&D structure. Under their joint R&D activities, the two partners aim to develop foundational technologies for realizing fault tolerant superconducting quantum computers that contribute to solving persistent challenges facing society through comprehensive and efficient research at each technology layer.
Ultimately, the results of the joint activities conducted at this collaboration center not only offer the potential for real-world applications in areas like drug discovery and material sciences, but will also contribute to the development of science and technology both in Japan and throughout the world by shedding new light on physical phenomena and fundamental scientific theory.

About "RIKEN RQC-Fujitsu Collaboration Center"
RIKEN RQC-Fujitsu Collaboration Center
Located within RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing (Wako, Saitama, Japan)

Period of Activity:
April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2025 (scheduled to continue after April 2025)
Research Overview:

1. Research on superconducting quantum computer hardware
With the aim of increasing the scale of superconducting quantum computers to 1000 qubits, the partners will conduct R&D into foundational technologies, such as improving the dispersion in qubit manufacturing, reducing the size and noise of peripheral components and wiring, and implementing packages and chips at low temperatures. In addition, Fujitsu and RIKEN will integrate the results of research on these hardware technologies, develop a prototype superconducting quantum computer, and verify the usefulness of the related technologies.

2. Research on superconducting quantum computer software

The partners will develop middleware and cloud computing systems necessary for running quantum computers, and research and develop algorithms for running applications. RIKEN and Fujitsu will verify the usefulness of error mitigation technologies in practical applications by executing quantum algorithms that integrate quantum chemical calculation algorithms and quantum error mitigation technologies (1) on a superconducting quantum computer prototype developed through this research activities. At the same time, the partners will also conduct basic verification experiments, such as quantum error detection, to identify issues and improve technologies for realizing quantum error correction.

Future Plans

RIKEN and Fujitsu will continue striving to innovate toward the realization of a more sustainable world, creating opportunities for co-creation with various research institutions and companies to develop science and technology using quantum computers.