PRESS RELEASE — British quantum computer developer, ORCA Computing, is working with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to develop future data processing capabilities.
In a year-long programme of activity, MoD will use ORCA’s PT-1 quantum computer, the first computer of its kind to operate at room temperature and be based on-premises.
ORCA computing has developed software that allows small scale photonic processors, which use single units of light, to be applied to complex machine learning and optimisation tasks.
These include image analysis, handwriting recognition and decision making.
After installation, the MoD is expected to develop programmes for the ORCA’s PT-1 quantum computer in collaboration with partners.
Stephen Till, Fellow at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), an executive agency of the MoD, commented: “This work with ORCA Computing is a milestone moment for the MoD. Accessing our own quantum computing hardware will not only accelerate our understanding of quantum computing, but the computer’s room-temperature operation will also give us the flexibility to use it in different locations for different requirements.
“We expect the ORCA system to provide significantly improved latency – the speed at which we can read and write to the quantum computer. This is important for hybrid algorithms which require multiple handovers between quantum and classical systems.”
The ORCA PT-1 contains unique technology that avoids bulky and expensive refrigeration. It puts the power and potential into a compact, plug-and-play rack-mounted system built with easily available components, such as standard optical fibre. The PT-1 system will be supplied with ORCA software libraries that allow for easy mapping between its hardware and current ML libraries such as PyTorch.
ORCA Computing CEO Richard Murray said: “We’re delighted to be working with the MoD. This represents a significant vote of confidence, particularly given the critical importance of national defence.
“While there has been much discussion and debate in the industry over the realities of near-term quantum computing, our partnership with MoD gives us hands-on close interaction; and working with real hardware will help us to jointly discover new applications of this revolutionary new technology.”
About ORCA Computers
ORCA Computing is developing a full-stack, photonic quantum computer. Its multidisciplinary team of quantum scientists, engineers and computer scientists is devising unique hardware and architectures. These will change the face of high-performance computing and networking, from near-term quantum devices and applications to universal fault-tolerant systems.
The ORCA platform is the first to include a ‘quantum memory’ allowing quantum computers based on single photons (units of light) to become scalable. Photonic quantum computing does not require complex engineering such as advanced cryogenic cooling and vacuum.
The ‘quantum memory’ storage of quantum information also reduces errors so that fewer components are needed. This allows ORCA to build quantum computers in optical fibre without silicon processing since silicon is unreliable, highly expensive and prone to failure.
The company recently announced the completion of its Series A funding round.
Note: The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is an executive agency of the UK Ministry of Defence. It is the science inside UKL defence and security. DSTL supports specialist services in the MoD and wider Government, working collaboratively with external partners in industry and academia worldwide, providing expert research, specialist advice and invaluable operational support.
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