OptQC and AIST Commence Initial Operations of "MoQuren," OptQC's First Optical Quantum Computer
OptQC Corp. (Headquarters: Toshima-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Kan Takase; hereinafter "OptQC"), a developer of optical quantum computers, and The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (Headquarters: Tsukuba City, Ibaraki; President: Kazuhiko Ishimura; hereinafter "AIST") are pleased to announce the successful installation and commencement of operations of "MoQuren," OptQC's first optical quantum computer machine, at AIST's Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI technology (G-QuAT).
This initiative marks the world's first instance in which a Japan-made optical quantum computer designed for future commercialization has been deployed in a practical research and development environment. This represents a major step that will lead directly to "SystemO," a key component of the "ABCI-Q: Quantum-Classical Hybrid Computing Infrastructure" currently being constructed by AIST.
In preparation for future general availability, OptQC is concurrently developing an execution environment for developers (Software Development Kit: SDK) bundled with simulation features. This will facilitate early application development by enterprises and research institutions.
This initiative is supported by “Building a Commercial Optical Quantum Computer”, one of the programs for bridging the gap between R&D and the ideal society and generating economic and social value (BRIDGE) and QST as a project management agency for the program.
Currently, efforts to implement quantum computing in society are accelerating worldwide. Among various approaches, the "optical method" is gaining significant attention as a leading candidate for practical application. It operates at room temperature and ambient pressure—eliminating the need for the cryogenic cooling environments required by superconducting methods—and is highly compatible with existing optical communication technologies. Furthermore, as the growing power consumption of data centers driven by AI adoption becomes a pressing issue, optical quantum computers, which offer low heat generation, energy efficiency, and potential for miniaturization, are highly anticipated as a next-generation computing infrastructure.
As a hub for the business development of integrated quantum-AI technologies, AIST's G-QuAT is advancing the development of the ABCI-Q: Quantum-Classical Hybrid Computing Infrastructure. By introducing OptQC's optical quantum computer "MoQuren" as part of this infrastructure, technical verification using real hardware will begin in earnest to address business challenges such as drug discovery, materials creation, financial optimization, and AI model construction.
Deputy Director Horibe of G-QuAT, AIST
"At AIST's G-QuAT, we have been working on the research and development of quantum-classical hybrid computing technologies utilizing optical quantum computers through our joint research with OptQC. We expect that the start of this provision to external users will serve as a catalyst to further advance technical verification and use-case development with practical application in mind. In continued collaboration with OptQC, we will work toward the advancement of quantum computers and the creation of their use cases, contributing to the resolution of social issues and the creation of new industries."
Kan Takase, Representative Director and CEO of OptQC
"We are thrilled to have built and launched operations of our first machine, 'MoQuren,' at AIST's G-QuAT, which leads quantum and AI research in Japan. This represents an extremely important milestone for our company. We are confident that our core 'optical method' technology, which operates at room temperature and ambient pressure and is highly compatible with existing infrastructure, is the technology capable of advancing next-generation computing infrastructure to the practical phase the fastest. Through our collaboration with AIST's ABCI-Q, we will do our utmost to establish commercial quantum computing services that go beyond basic research and can be truly utilized by enterprises in actual business settings."
Currently, we are focusing on ensuring the stable operation of the hardware and the integration process into ABCI-Q. Moving forward, we will prepare to offer actual hardware computing services to general enterprises and research institutions.
OptQC plans to launch a dedicated service website to provide the following developer execution environment:
- Free Provision of SDK: A software development kit compatible with the optical quantum architecture. Users can simulate the logical operation of quantum algorithms and verify them in advance in their own PC environments, without having to wait for access to the actual hardware.
- Documentation and Sample Code: To prepare for future hardware utilization, documentation for learning how to use the SDK and sample code for easily running the simulator on a browser will be sequentially published on the site.
OptQC will continue to post updates regarding hardware availability and development tool updates through this upcoming service website.
[OptQC Corp.]
Headquarters: 15F IT tower TOKYO, 3-28-13 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-0021
Representative: Kan Takase, Representative Director and CEO
Established: September 2, 2024
Business Activities: Research, development, and provision of optical quantum computers
URL: https://www.optqc.com/en/
[The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)]
Headquarters: Tsukuba Central 1, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki
Representative: Kazuhiko Ishimura, President
Organization Overview: As one of Japan's largest public research institutes, AIST conducts research and development across a wide range of industrial technologies and promotes the social implementation of its results.
About G-QuAT: The Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI technology (G-QuAT) is a research hub aimed at creating businesses by integrating quantum technology and AI technology.
Public Relations, OptQC Corp.
E-mail: press@optqc.com
