By enabling businesses to reconfigure, add, or remove parts from their devices, modular quantum computing (QC) is positioned to further unlock the potential of quantum technology for businesses, make it more accessible, and create several advantages for businesses.
There is precedence for this in the history of computing. The introduction of modularity had a massive impact on traditional computing beginning in the 1970s. Since then, modularity has improved everything from hardware design to modular software development. Modular quantum computing offers the same promise for quantum computers.
Other than the obvious benefit of building a more powerful quantum computer, these are the top 5 benefits of modular quantum computing for business:
Customizability
Resiliency
Upgradability
Security
Cost Reduction
Customizability
Modularity makes the customization of classical computers possible because it enables the end user to mix and match components. In turn, customization allows classical computers to be optimized based on need and use case. Examples of this include adding more powerful graphics processors, increasing storage, or budgeting for higher-quality parts when necessary.
Quantum computers do not operate any differently. At scale, companies will want to tailor quantum computers to the exact specifications they need, and at a budget they can afford given the use case. Modular customization will allow them to pay for a computer that meets their most common needs, while also giving them the option to add additional functionality, memory, or power as needed. In other words, businesses will gain the flexibility to match costs with needs.
In addition, modular quantum computing will allow for interoperability between multiple quantum computing technologies. This will enable businesses to combine ion trap, superconducting, and optical QCs. As quantum computing matures and specialization becomes more intuitive, businesses will benefit from the ability to easily modify the hardware in order to select the right type of quantum computer for the task at hand.
Resiliency
Modular quantum computing also offers the ability to spot-fix issues, instead of replacing an entire computer.
In some ways, you can argue that resilience is even more critical to quantum computing than classical computing. This is because the fragile nature of quantum systems can easily decohere, causing errors in quantum computation and necessitating error mitigation techniques to improve accuracy. With a single ion trap, any error will harm the calculation. But with a modular design, redundant ion traps can be used to ensure that if one fails, the others will continue working, potentially limiting the amount of damage to the calculation.
A quantum computer manufacturing facility, as envisioned by Midjourney AI
Upgradability
Modularity allows companies to upgrade without purchasing a new system. That’s important to control costs, and for technical specificity as companies change/add use cases.
In addition, modularity is most likely the best way to scale quantum computing. There are huge challenges to scaling monolithic quantum technology. For example, the superconducting qubits favored by some approaches must be kept at extremely low temperatures–something that is difficult to do as the size of the computers increases.
In addition, developing a new machine via a monolithic build often requires reinventing the entire tech stack at every layer for every new machine. Modularity allows engineers to make incremental small changes that remain compatible with the larger design.
Security
We’re living in an era of uncertainty at the intersection of quantum computing and cybersecurity. Businesses need to prepare to protect themselves, their customers, and their data from malicious actors using quantum computing technology.
Modularity enhances the privacy and security of algorithms that run on quantum computers In several ways. First, it enables more secure computation via private access from the cloud. Second, it makes it possible to ringfence the security of each modular part–if one module becomes compromised, the rest of the system remains unaffected. Finally, distributed computing creates a network that also provides an additional layer of protection by minimizing the risk of sensitive information leaking out and becoming publicly visible.
Cost Reduction
The other benefits of modularity discussed above all add up to more efficient, adaptive computers at lower cost for the end user. But in addition to these operational cost savings, modular computing decreases the costs of quantum computing by decreasing the cost to manufacture (and therefore purchase) quantum computers.
For starters, it reduces the cost of each cycle of innovation. Instead of rebuilding an entire computer from scratch, it’s possible to focus on R&D for individual components. This makes it possible to create new generations of hardware in increments and over time.
In addition, modularity plays a critical role in enabling quantum networking. Just like classical computing, networking QPUs together will increase computing power without increasing the size of any individual computer. Engineering smaller computers is easier and cheaper; it will cost less to network ten, 50-qubit machines together than it will to create a single 500-qubit machine.
IonQ recently announced plans to open the first known dedicated quantum computing manufacturing facility in the U.S., located in the suburbs of Seattle, Washington. The new facility will house IonQ’s growing R&D and manufacturing teams, as they develop systems to meet continued customer demand. As we continue to scale our manufacturing capabilities, the benefit of modular quantum computing for business will become increasingly clear.
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