Integrated quantum computing company Quantinuum Ltd. today unveiled new open-source software tools designed to accelerate software development for quantum computing with a more intuitive programming language.
The company also announced a new open-source emulator for its Helios quantum computing hardware, Selene, built to model entangled quantum behavior realistically.
The new language is called Guppy. The company based the programming language on Python, a widely recognized syntax by developers, which provides an accessible entry point for programming quantum computers.
Traditionally, programming quantum computers requires writing code that addresses the underlying hardware and how quantum gates work to build circuits.
Quantum computers operate differently from classical computers, which use 1 and 0 to represent bits, whereas quantum bits, or qubits, can exist in a “superposition” or somewhere between 1 and 0. They can also be entangled with another qubit or dependent on the 1 or 0 state of that qubit. That makes programming them tedious and prone to errors.
Guppy enables programmers to use code logic, allowing them to create dynamic software with “if/then” statements and “for” loop structures. This higher-level language permits the development of applications that can adjust the path when states change and the code itself is more readable.
The new language gives developers access to advanced quantum protocols, including magic state distillation and injection, quantum teleportation and other measurement-based routines. All of them can be executed through a real-time control system.
Additionally, users can use Nvidia Corp.’s new CUDA-QX capabilities for error correction, all without needing to write extra code.
Quantum computing has the potential to solve problems currently challenging or intractable for even the most powerful classical computers. This could impact fields such as drug discovery, materials science and artificial intelligence. Quantinuum hopes providing developers the ability to easily write quantum apps in a syntax they’re familiar with to approach problems in these fields will help accelerate breakthroughs in these fields.
Quantum emulation in the hands of developers
Quantinuum refers to Selene as a “digital sister” for its Helios quantum computer hardware, providing developers access to an open-source emulator.
Quantum computing resources are limited and costly, so writing and testing quantum code requires the ability to capture and emulate behavior before pushing to production. Selene provides advanced runtime behavior unique to Helios, including measurement-dependent control flow and hybrid quantum-classical logic capabilities. It can also run Guppy programs out of the box, allowing developers to get going immediately.
All of this is brought together with the company’s all-in-one quantum computing platform, Nexus, which serves as the middle layer that connects all parts of the stack.
Nexus is a cloud-native software-as-a-service environment that includes server-side Selene instances. Users can use it to manage Guppy programs, examine the results and collaborate with other developers to build full-fledged quantum applications.
Image: Pixabay, Quantinuum
Support our mission to keep content open and free by engaging with theCUBE community. Join theCUBE’s Alumni Trust Network, where technology leaders connect, share intelligence and create opportunities.
15M+ viewers of theCUBE videos, powering conversations across AI, cloud, cybersecurity and more
11.4k+ theCUBE alumni — Connect with more than 11,400 tech and business leaders shaping the future through a unique trusted-based network.
About SiliconANGLE Media
SiliconANGLE Media is a recognized leader in digital media innovation, uniting breakthrough technology, strategic insights and real-time audience engagement. As the parent company of SiliconANGLE, theCUBE Network, theCUBE Research, CUBE365, theCUBE AI and theCUBE SuperStudios — with flagship locations in Silicon Valley and the New York Stock Exchange — SiliconANGLE Media operates at the intersection of media, technology and AI.
Founded by tech visionaries John Furrier and Dave Vellante, SiliconANGLE Media has built a dynamic ecosystem of industry-leading digital media brands that reach 15+ million elite tech professionals. Our new proprietary theCUBE AI Video Cloud is breaking ground in audience interaction, leveraging theCUBEai.com neural network to help technology companies make data-driven decisions and stay at the forefront of industry conversations.