Quantum storage on a diamond
Researchers are wanting to storage data on diamonds. How much storage capacity are they talking about on a Diamond? Storing 25 exabytes (EB) in a 2-inch Kenzan diamond wafer. That is SUPER dense storage capacity, normally that would take several racks of modern flash based storage capacity. Or put another way a billion 25GB single-layer Blu-Ray disks to reach that level of density.
Who is performing this research? Saga University, Japan, specifically a researcher called Makoto Kasu.
What is different about this approach than past attempts? The researchers are using ultra-high purity diamond wafers, called Kenzan diamonds, which can function as quantum memory. Specifically they engineered an attribute called a nitrogen vacancy or NV-center. One of the diamond’s carbon atoms is changed to a nitrogen atom.
What makes these Kenzan diamonds different? The new development method grows the diamond crystal on a stepped wafer substrate base. This is done to reduce the internal stresses and achieves a 2-inch (5cm) circular wafer size. Overcoming the internal stress found during previous generations of wafer builds, and the resultant fracturing under their own pressure.
The picture for this blog is of a Kenzan diamond to give you an idea of the size and shape!
In other recent Quantum news:
IBM wants a 4,000 qubit quantum computer by 2025. IBM has put a line in the quantum sand, if you will and a BIG one at that. This roadmap includes use of Quantum components in 'Classic Computers'. The goal is to demonstrate this 4,0000 qubit and classical computer hybrid at IBM's 2025 Think! event.
IBM admits they have a lot of work to get done to meet this aggressive goal and they have a two-pronged approach. First by introducing a serverless programming model to allow quantum and classical processors to work together without friction. And build on its current Qiskit Runtime software for experimenting with algorithms to create and handle quantum programs. IBM feels they can meet this goal, we shall be keeping tabs for certain. Recall IBM's quantum roadmap jumps to 10,000 qubits for 2026; perhaps they are already close to the 4K goal? hmm
Quantum Computing as HPC (High Performance Computing) accelerators just like GPUs added years ago. This next piece makes sense based upon the snippet above where classical computers are combined with quantum computing components. This is slightly different in that quantum will be melded with HPC computing environments (a high performance one off for certain).
Who is already experimenting in this space?
- Leibniz Supercomputing Centre is creating a hub in its datacenters near Munich where it is testing out new types of chips and systems
- IBM see above snippet for some insight
- Nvidia is aiding quantum via their CuQuantum software kit for quantum circuit simulation
Summary - there has already been a huge amount of quantum computing advancements in 2022. I will continue to bring up more and more updates. Enjoy your day and stay safe out there!
