Advancing Quantum Computing Through Diverse Approaches
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has announced that Microsoft and PsiQuantum have been selected for the final phase of the Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing (US2QC) program. This initiative is part of DARPA’s broader Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI), which aims to determine whether it’s possible to build an industrially useful quantum computer much faster than conventional predictions.
Key Highlights
- Microsoft’s Approach – Developing an error-corrected, utility-scale quantum computer based on a compact superconducting topological qubit architecture.
- PsiQuantum’s Approach – Utilizing silicon-based photonics to create an error-corrected, utility-scale quantum computer based on a lattice-like fabric of photonic qubits.
Both companies have undergone rigorous evaluation by DARPA’s team to assess their potential in achieving utility-scale quantum computing by 2033. The next phase will involve detailed system designs, government testing of components, and assessment of system-level performance capabilities of major prototypes.
