IFAE is fully engaged in QCT technology since 2019. The particular implementation developed at IFAE, quantum annealing, is one of the most promising avenues by which to achieve an advantage over conventional computers by solving optimization problems which are ubiquitous in society (delivery, traffic, chemistry, etc.). Quantum computation may provide very fast methods of pattern recognition, data classification, and data search, and the very same devices used to perform quantum computing operations can act as detectors of very weak signals of the type searched for in fundamental physics experiments (axions or axion-like particles, dark matter, etc.). IFAE has already demonstrated the first coherent qubit manipulation in Spain. Since then, the group established itself as the leading experimental team in QC in Spain, coordinating two H2020 projects (FET Open AVaQus, ERA-net Quantera SiUCs), as explained in Section 12.2. A third coordinated project with national funds involves LSC-Canfranc and CNM to conduct first experiments in an underground laboratory using qubits.
IFAE’s spinoff Qilimanjaro Quantum Technologies S.L. (QQT) represents our bridge to industry in QC applications. In about three years, QCT’s goal is to develop the basic components of the technology that will be used to scale to many qubits, building a small-sized quantum annealing processor to study real-world applications.