'Starting Point for Becoming a Quantum Advanced Nation'... First Demonstration of 20-Qubit Domestic Quantum Computer

Korea Standards Institute Introduces Quantum Computer Under Development via Video
Ministry of Science and ICT to Support Development of 50-Qubit Quantum Computer by 2026
Active Investment in Related Infrastructure Including Quantum Fab

The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) revealed a demonstration scene of a 20-qubit (qubit: quantum computer computational unit) quantum computer under development at the 'K-Quantum Square Meeting' hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Lee Jong-ho) on the 10th. This public demonstration is the first case since the development began. The institute remotely connected Daejeon and Seoul, where the event was held, via the internet to showcase the operation of the quantum computer.

The demonstration of the 20-qubit quantum computer being developed by the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science is being shown on the screen via remote connection. Photo by Baek Jong-min

When Yongho Lee, head of the Superconducting Quantum Computer System at KRISS, requested the demonstration, a researcher from the KRISS quantum computer laboratory showed the process of defining qubits, the basic unit of quantum information, and improving quantum errors.

The research team demonstrated the implementation of the Hadamard gate, which creates quantum superposition where quantum states probabilistically appear simultaneously, on 7 qubits, and the entanglement of 2 qubits.

Lee Yong-ho, head of the Standard Research Institute's Superconducting Quantum Computing System Research Group, is holding a quantum processor. Photo by Baek Jong-min

Director Lee said, "Although the system reliability is still low as it is in the development stage, we will strive to improve physical reliability and present a completed demonstration within a year."

The production of this quantum computer involved Sungkyunkwan University, UNIST, KISTI, Zurich Instruments, Quantum Information Research Support Center, and Korea Nano Technology Institute.

The Ministry of Science and ICT is promoting a quantum computing research infrastructure project to build a 50-qubit quantum computer by 2026 based on the 20-qubit quantum computer. KRISS plans to improve the yield and performance of the 20-qubit quantum processor, enhance the precision of measurement control systems, conduct 3D packaging and 50-qubit device process research, and secure cloud service stability this year. In the second phase, until 2026, they will pursue the design and development of 50-qubit class devices and cloud service stability for 50 concurrent users. The Ministry of Science and ICT will invest 49 billion KRW for this purpose.

Operation of the quantum fab, which will produce the core process of quantum computers, will also be intensified. The superconducting quantum fab is scheduled to operate a consignment manufacturing service after the pilot operation ends early this year. Through this, companies or research institutions can develop processes that were not possible in existing semiconductor fabs. The quantum fab is operated by Sungkyunkwan University and Korea Nano Technology Institute.

On this day, Director Lee also brought out and revealed a quantum computer processor made by Sungkyunkwan University on stage. Professor Yeonwook Jung of Sungkyunkwan University emphasized the importance of the quantum fab, stating that quantum devices differ from existing fabs in device and wafer size and require high precision.

Professor Jeong Yeon-wook of Sungkyunkwan University is explaining the necessity of quantum fabs. Photo by Baek Jong-min

Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT said, "(In the field of quantum computers) we are still latecomers with insufficient experts and infrastructure, but through interdisciplinary and researcher collaboration, industry-academia-research convergence, and active cooperation, let us together complete South Korea as a strong nation in quantum science and technology."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.