The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled eight scientific tasks that will serve as benchmarks for evaluating the potential of fault-tolerant quantum computers. These tasks span across fields such as chemistry, materials science, subatomic physics, and applied mathematics.

This initiative is termed the Quantum Genesis Priority Applications (QGPA) and aims to establish a framework for assessing the scientific significance of quantum computing, alongside the development of relevant hardware and software.

The outcomes from these tasks will be compared against the capabilities of existing supercomputers. The DOE hopes to identify areas where quantum systems can produce scientific advancements that are unattainable through classical methods.

Selected Tasks by the DOE

The DOE has categorized the eight priority tasks into four main areas:

  1. Chemistry: Researchers will focus on modeling the mechanisms and dynamics of complex chemical reactions, particularly those involving light absorption and the behavior of molecules in excited states.
  2. Materials Science: Quantum computers will be employed to investigate the fundamental states and dynamics of quantum materials under extreme conditions, including studies on topological materials and superconductors.
  3. Subatomic Physics: This area includes modeling the dynamics of strongly interacting matter, exploring matter at high densities, and investigating atomic nucleus structure. Calculations may elucidate the interactions that form protons and neutrons, as well as the behavior of matter in conditions typical of certain nuclear processes.
  4. Applied Mathematics: The DOE has identified solving systems of linear equations and partial differential equations as critical, as these underpin the modeling of various physical processes.

For each task, the DOE has outlined examples of target computations to evaluate the future systems' capabilities. Additionally, the department will continue exploring quantum computing applications in plasma physics, biochemistry, and optimization, although these areas are not yet part of the main list.

From Demonstrations to Scientific Utility

While quantum computers can already perform specialized computational tests, achieving high results in these tests does not guarantee a practical advantage in real scientific problems. Thus, the primary goal of this initiative is to transition from isolated demonstrations of quantum processors' capabilities to evaluating their practical significance for scientific research.

The DOE emphasizes that future systems should be assessed on specific scientific challenges where classical supercomputers have limitations. They stress that the priority applications should foster collaboration among quantum hardware and software developers and scientists in relevant fields.

However, adding a task to this list does not imply that quantum computers can currently solve it more efficiently than classical systems. It indicates areas where the potential advantages of fault-tolerant systems need to be evaluated.

$215 Million Competition

This new list will be integrated into the federal Quantum Genesis program, which aims to create scientifically significant fault-tolerant quantum computers.

On September 17, the DOE announced the Q Competition, with planned funding of up to $215 million. Participants are tasked with developing systems that feature at least 100 logical qubits and can perform hundreds of millions of fault-tolerant operations.

The competition comprises two phases: in the first phase, developers can earn up to $1.5 million for achieving interim results; in the second phase, there is a total prize pool of $100 million for participants who demonstrate systems with 100 logical qubits.

Additionally, $50 million will be allocated for developers creating computers with 150 and 200 logical qubits. Funding for future fiscal years will depend on decisions made by the U.S. Congress.

Besides the competition, the new scientific tasks will be utilized in establishing the National Quantum Supercomputing User Facility, which will provide access to both quantum computing and DOE supercomputing resources. The third component of Quantum Genesis will focus on separate research into applied algorithms and scientific scenarios using fault-tolerant systems.

In April, the DOE announced plans to unveil the first generation of fault-tolerant quantum computers for scientific calculations by 2028.