Capital hones its quantum edge

Leveraging the city's rich innovative resources, Beijing plans to prioritize the development of quantum technologies via technological breakthroughs, achievement transformation, demonstrated applications, and ecosystem cultivation.

These efforts aim to enhance the Chinese capital's systematic capability for industrial development, propelling Beijing to become a national hub for quantum technology industries, according to the Beijing Science and Technology Commission and the Administrative Commission of Zhongguancun Science Park.

Quantum computing, communication, and precision measurement are the three major domains of quantum technology. The Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences showcases a miniature chip atomic clock developed by its research teams at its exhibition hall. The cutting-edge clock is comparable in size to a little finger.

"In daily life, traditional quartz crystal clocks can accumulate a one-second error in less than a day, whereas the miniature chip atomic clock can operate for 500,000 years with an error margin of less than one second," said Wei Xiaogang, a researcher in the precision measurement team at the quantum academy.

Highlighting the importance of precise time measurement using quantum technology, Wei noted that modern power networks, for example, rely on time synchronization of internal automated devices for activities such as power generation, transmission, distribution and fault monitoring. Any clock inaccuracies could potentially lead to widespread power outages. In the field of autonomous driving, high-precision miniature atomic clocks also play a crucial role.

"Beijing boasts the highest concentration of quantum technology research and development talent in the country, dispersed across various universities and research institutes," said Chang Kai, the executive director of the quantum academy.

"The founding purpose of the academy is to consolidate these talents, coordinate research efforts, and drive the development of quantum technology in China," Chang noted.

Currently, the academy has gathered over 300 outstanding researchers in the quantum field.

Dozens of kilometers away from the academy, Beijing Qboson Quantum Technology, a startup dedicated to quantum computing, has introduced optical quantum computers into the market. Wen Kai, the founder and CEO of Qboson Quantum, illustrated the significance of these computers used in the electricity industry as an example. He said that there are thousands of power generation and consumption nodes in the new energy grid, distributed unevenly in time and space.

Achieving precise coordination of power generation and consumption to ensure a supply-demand balance requires extensive combinatorial scheduling work. The computational complexity involved is enormous, exceeding the capabilities of traditional classical computing.

By utilizing coherent light quantum computers to solve the same problem, the speed surpasses classical computers by several hundred times. As technology advances, the computational efficiency is expected to further increase.

Fu Xiaofeng, an official from the Ministry of Science and Technology, said that quantum technology and industry have become strategic high grounds for countries to safeguard their technological sovereignty and development initiatives.

The ministry will support Beijing in enhancing its innovation capabilities and industrial development in quantum technology, focusing on creating a world-leading innovation source and industry hub in the sector, Fu noted.