Microsoft Azure Quantum
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| This article, Microsoft Azure Quantum, has recently been created via the Articles for creation process. Please check to see if the reviewer has accidentally left this template after accepting the draft and take appropriate action as necessary.
Reviewer tools: Inform author |
| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Initial release | February 1, 2021[1] |
Microsoft Azure Quantum is a public cloud computing platform that offers quantum hardware, software, and solutions for developers to build quantum applications.[1][2]
Microsoft Azure Quantum supports a variety of quantum hardware architectures from partners including Quantinuum, IonQ, and Atom Computing. [3]
To run applications on the cloud platform, Microsoft developed the Q# programming language.[4]
Azure Quantum also includes a platform for scientific research, Azure Quantum Elements. It uses AI, high-performance computing and quantum processors to run molecular simulations and calculations in computational chemistry and materials science.[5]
History
Azure Quantum was first announced at Microsoft Ignite in 2019.[6]
The platform was opened for public preview in 2021.[1]
Azure Quantum Elements was launched in 2023.[5]
Hardware
In addition to its hardware partners on the platform, Microsoft is developing a topological quantum computer with qubits that are inherently resistant to error. The approach is based on Majorana quasiparticles, which act as their own antiparticle and have a charge and energy equal to zero, making qubits that are more resilient to disturbances.[7][8]
In 2023, Microsoft introduced three levels of implementation for quantum computing: Foundational (noisy physical qubits), Resilient (reliable logical qubits), and Scale (quantum supercomputers).[7][9]
Software
For quantum applications, Azure Quantum developed Q# (pronounced Q Sharp), a quantum programming language, and an open-source quantum development kit for algorithm development and simulation.[1]
The Azure Quantum Resource Estimator estimates resources required to execute a given quantum algorithm on a fault-tolerant quantum computer.[10]
In 2023, Azure Quantum Elements added Copilot, a GPT-4 based large language model tool to query and visualize data, write code, and initiate simulations.[7]
The same year, Microsoft developed Quantum Intermediate Representation (QIR) from LLVM as a common interface between programming languages and target quantum processors.[11]
Azure Quantum Elements
The Azure Quantum Elements platform combines artificial intelligence and traditional high-performance computing with quantum tools for materials science, chemistry and pharmaceutical research.[12]
In 2024, Microsoft released a Generative Chemistry tool for Azure Quantum Elements that uses generative AI to identify the right molecules to use for a particular application. Microsoft also released an Accelerated Density Functional Theory (DFT) tool to simulate simulations of a molecule’s electronic structure.[13]
References
- ^ a b c d Leprince-Ringuet, Daphne (1 Feb 2021). "Microsoft's quantum cloud computing plans take another big step forward". ZDNet. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Gillis, Alexander. "What is Azure Quantum?". Tech Target. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ Kelley, Alexandra (10 Sep 2024). "Microsoft unveils new quantum computing hybrid solution in Azure". Nextgov. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
- ^ Boyle, Alan (4 Nov 2023). "Microsoft CEO says Azure Quantum will address the big challenges in computing". Geekwire. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
- ^ a b Buntz, Brian (18 Jul 2023). "Microsoft goes all in on Azure Quantum to accelerate scientific discovery". Drug Discovery and Development. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
- ^ Lardinois, Frederic (19 May 2020). "Microsoft's quantum computing platform is now in limited preview". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
- ^ a b c Russell, John (22 Jun 2023). "Microsoft Debuts Azure Quantum Elements and Azure Quantum Copilot LLM". HPCwire. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Padavic-Callghan, Karmela (21 Jun 2023). "Microsoft says its weird new particle could improve quantum computers". New Scientist. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Finke, Doug; Shaw, David (21 Sep 2023). "A Deeper Dive Into Microsoft's Topological Quantum Computer Roadmap". Quantum Computing Report. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
- ^ Swayne, Matt (29 Jun 2024). "The Azure Quantum Resource Estimator: An In-Depth Look at an Important Quantum Tool". The Quantum Insider. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
- ^ Krill, Paul (29 Sep 2020). "Microsoft taps LLVM for quantum computing". InfoWorld. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
- ^ Finke, Doug (22 Jun 2024). "Microsoft Announces Additional Capabilities for Azure Quantum Elements for Research in Chemistry and Materials Science". Quantum Comoputing Report. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
- ^ "Microsoft puts new tools in the hands of chemical scientists". Fierce Electronics. 8 Jul 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-17.