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Letter: Let's talk about quantum computing

Published 4 November 2020

From Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave,Bellevue, Washington, US

There are several points that I would like to address in your coverage, both in your magazine and online, of D-Wave’s claim that it has the world’s most powerful quantum computer (10 October, p 17).

It is wrong to characterise quantum annealing as being limited to optimisation. With more than 250 early applications, D-Wave’s systems are also well-suited for material simulation, quantum chemistry and a broad array of computational challenges known as NP-hard problems.

Though not yet a universal computer, D-Wave’s Advantage can, , be programmed to solve any classical problem. progressing towards the universal annealer.

There are peer-reviewed papers in in 2014 and in 2018 that demonstrate the quantum-mechanical effects of superposition and entanglement in our quantum systems. D-Wave has on important physics problems. Researchers have also published results showing superior performance of D-Wave quantum processors compared with classical alternatives in the journals , , and others.

It is time to move away from antiquated perspectives and work together to bring quantum computing to waiting industries.

Issue no. 3307 published 7 November 2020

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