Rigetti Wins Innovate UK's Quantum Missions Pilot Competition to Advance Quantum Error Correction Capabilities on Superconducting Quantum Computers

Core Insights - Rigetti, in collaboration with Riverlane and the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), has won Innovate UK's Quantum Missions pilot competition to enhance quantum error correction capabilities on superconducting quantum computers [1][2] - The project, with a budget of £3.5 million, aims to advance fault-tolerant quantum computing by addressing critical challenges such as processing bottlenecks and high error rates [3][4] - Rigetti plans to upgrade its existing quantum computer at NQCC, with Riverlane leading the quantum error correction experiments [4][5] Project Details - The consortium will leverage Rigetti's superconducting quantum computer to conduct ambitious quantum error correction tests, aiming for real-time capabilities essential for universal fault-tolerant quantum computing [2][3] - Key improvements will focus on enhancing system performance and meeting crucial quantum error correction metrics [4][5] - The project is part of a broader initiative to accelerate quantum computing and networking projects, removing technological barriers to commercialization [5] Additional Collaborations - Rigetti has been awarded two additional projects under the Quantum Missions pilot competition, including deploying a larger 36-qubit quantum processing unit and integrating a new control system for improved qubit management [6][7] - Collaborations with SEEQC and other partners aim to integrate digital chip-based technology with Rigetti's quantum processing units to identify components necessary for scalable quantum error correction [7][8] - Another project will create an open-architecture quantum computing testbed, providing unique configurations and a common interface for quantum software and hardware [7][8] Company Background - Rigetti is recognized as a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing, operating quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serving various clients through its Quantum Cloud Services platform [9] - The company has introduced multiple quantum processing units, including a 9-qubit Novera QPU in 2023, designed for high-performance applications [9]