Rigetti Computing Awarded DARPA Project to Advance Quantum Algorithms for Optimization Problems

Rigetti Computing, a pioneer in full-stack quantum-classical computing, has been awarded a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) project as part of the Imagining Practical Applications for a Quantum Tomorrow (IMPAQT) program. The project, named “Scheduling Problems with Efficient Encoding of Qubits” (SPEEQ), aims to advance the state-of-the-art in quantum algorithms for solving combinatorial optimization problems.

Combinatorial optimization problems, such as scheduling problems, are widely prevalent across numerous industries and pose significant challenges to solve. Rigetti’s SPEEQ project seeks to develop a novel and efficient encoding of optimization problems onto qubits, enabling larger problems to be mapped to currently available quantum computers.

One of the main objectives of the SPEEQ project is to enable quantum algorithms to solve larger problems, allowing for better comparisons to current classical heuristic algorithms. Currently, quantum algorithms are limited in size due to the available number of qubits on a quantum processing unit (QPU). By addressing this limitation, Rigetti aims to bridge the gap between quantum and classical algorithms.

The SPEEQ project builds upon the findings from Rigetti’s previous project, “Scheduling Applications with Advanced Mixers” (SAAM), conducted in partnership with NASA and USRA. The team observed that algorithmic performance improved with an increased number of quantum operations. However, classical heuristic algorithms can efficiently solve the problem size in the SAAM project, which is limited to 10,000 variables.

Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, Rigetti’s Chief Executive Officer, expressed excitement about the opportunity to further their algorithm research through the DARPA IMPAQT program. Rigetti’s goal is to develop practical applications for quantum computing, and advancements in algorithms for hybrid quantum-classical systems could have a profound impact on industries such as supply chains and logistics.

Rigetti Computing is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing and has been operating quantum computers over the cloud since 2017. The company serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. With its proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure and multi-chip quantum processors, Rigetti is at the forefront of scalable quantum computing systems.

For more information about Rigetti Computing, visit www.rigetti.com.

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