Tohoku University (Associate Professor Masayuki Ozeki) has started research and development using quantum computers for the first time as a national university and research institution in Japan in partnership with D-Wave Systems of Canada.
D-Wave Systems' computer "D-Wave 2000Q" is the world's first quantum computer to adopt the new method "quantum annealing" and is already on commercial sale. The "quantum annealing" method was proposed in 1998 by Professor Hidetoshi Nishimori and Mr. Masashi Kadowaki of Tokyo Institute of Technology.It is a method to find the best choice by using the operation principle by quantum mechanics that determines the movement of atoms and molecules, and using the state of "superposition" which is a phenomenon peculiar to quantum mechanics.
The fields that D-Wave machines are good at are "optimization problems" that make the best profits and the best efficiency selections from many candidates, and output the results of instant trials of many possibilities. It is "machine learning" by sampling technology.Find fast solutions to all service efficiency issues, such as delivery route optimization, portfolio optimization, and schedule management optimization.
Tohoku University is working with companies to improve service efficiency by high-speed solutions to optimization problems that are potentially used in various industries, and to develop new services, and to disclose the know-how accumulated in research activities. , It is said that it will promote the spread of quantum annealing technology.
Currently, the system for D-Wave users is installed in the United States and is used by Lockheed Martin, Google, NASA Ames Laboratory, Los Alamos Laboratory, and others.In recent years, interest has increased in Japan as well, and an international conference on quantum annealing will be held this summer.The number of users and companies is increasing, such as the use of the D-Wave system in the cloud by Recruit Communications Co., Ltd. and automobile-related companies.
