Biggest quantum computing facility in US to contain up to 1 million qubits

A firm is planning to build the biggest quantum computing facility in the US. PsiQuantum has partnered with State of Illinois, Cook County, and the City of Chicago to build the facility. The fault-tolerant quantum computing facility will be established at the former US Steel South Works property in Chicago.

It is widely acknowledged that a utility-scale quantum computer will need 1 million qubits, a number necessary to achieve the critical threshold for quantum error correction.

The commissioning of such a system will enable highly precise answers for computational problems that can never be solved by conventional computers.

Quantum computing facility to benefit industries

Illinois’ critical industries — including agriculture, pharma, energy, materials, financial services and manufacturing — should all benefit significantly from these quantum computing capabilities, according to PsiQuantum.

“Quantum computers have held theoretical promise for decades, but it’s infrastructure projects like the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park that are required to develop this technology and scale from hype to reality,” said Prof. Jeremy O’Brien, PsiQuantum CEO & co-founder.

“Governor Pritzker and Illinois understand what’s needed to unlock quantum computing’s potential, and we’re thrilled to partner with them and anchor the state’s quantum strategy with the first utility-scale quantum computer in the United States at this iconic location.”

The company has opted not to build small-scale quantum computers (such as IBM’s Condor, which uses a little over 1,100 qubits).

Larger-scale systems

Instead it is aiming to manufacture and test what it calls “intermediate systems.” These include chips, cabinets, and superconducting photon detectors. PsiQuantum says it is targeting these larger-scale systems in part because smaller devices are unable to adequately correct errors and operate at a realistic price point, according to MIT Technology Review .

“Considering the endless potential quantum computing technology holds, it is crucial that we commit to quantum partnerships, research, and infrastructure across our nation,” said Governor J.B. Pritzker.

“In Illinois, we’re leading the charge with this first-of-its-kind quantum park to unite stakeholders, experts, and future generations of quantum leaders. I’m grateful that PsiQuantum will be our anchor tenant as we launch this exciting collaboration to create the jobs of the future, and PsiQuantum choosing Chicago cements our status as a global hub for quantum computing.”

PsiQuantum’s operations to create jobs

To bolster the Quantum Park and help build an even stronger quantum ecosystem, PsiQuantum will partner with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Chicago and Northwestern University to collaborate on research projects and explore opportunities to develop educational programs in quantum applications.

PsiQuantum’s operations in Chicago will create at least 150 jobs in the next five years and will be critical in developing a strong workforce that includes not only PhDs in quantum physics, but careers in mechanical, optical, and electrical engineering; software development, and technical lab work.