VTT, IQM unveil 20-qubit quantum computer

Finland’s second-ever quantum computer has four times as many qubits as its predecessor, and it is now fully operational.

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and IQM Quantum Computers unveiled on October 10 their state-of-the-art, 20-qubit quantum computer at an event in the Micronova building in Otaniemi.

Among the speakers at the event were President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö, VTT CEO Antti Vasara, IQM co-founder and CEO Jan Goetz, and Bluefors CEO Jonas Geust, among other industry and state leaders. VTT is a member of InstituteQ, and IQM and Bluefors are members of BusinessQ.

President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö addresses the audience during the unveiling of a 20-qubit quantum computer.

“Finland is small, but in the emerging quantum sector, we truly can play a critical role,” Niinistö said at the event. “Finland is one of the few countries that can build a quantum computer with truly domestic expertise. … It is extraordinary for a small country to have this type of a position in a field so critical to our future. … We have managed to successfully combine basic research, applied research and industry.”

Having revealed their first, 5-qubit computer in November 2021, VTT and IQM’s latest quantum computer is the second phase of a multiyear effort to increasingly improve upon the technology. And from this ambitious collaboration between VTT and IQM surfaces a new goal on the horizon: realizing a 50-qubit quantum computer by 2024.

“An ongoing challenge for maintaining Finland’s seat at the global quantum table is educating, training, attracting and retaining top talent,” InstituteQ Director Jukka Pekola says. “Solving this problem remains one of the core motivators for InstituteQ organizational efforts. It is fitting, then, that the unveiling of this latest computer is at the campus where bright minds are solving the most challenging problems.”

Read up on InstituteQ’s quantum agenda, which gives a description of quantum technologies, describes the status of research and innovation activities in Finland, and lists recommendations for further development of the area.