The Indian government has reached out to start-ups and technology companies to assist in the development of India’s first quantum chip, which will power quantum computers. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY) issued a document on September 13, seeking potential partners who can undertake the design and manufacturing of the quantum chip.
This move comes after the establishment of a National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications in April, with a budget of Rs 6,000 crore. The goal of this mission is to develop home-grown quantum computers. In addition, India and the US have formed a Joint Indo-US Quantum Coordination Mechanism for research.
Quantum computers are known to be significantly faster than even the most advanced supercomputers, with the potential to revolutionize various sectors. The document released by MeiTY states that quantum computers have the capacity to accurately simulate quantum systems, allowing for detailed predictions of the behavior of new materials. The government envisions quantum computers being used in hybrid computing systems, where they can serve as accelerators to supercomputers.
The quantum chip, which will serve as the processor for quantum computers, needs to be scalable, modular, and robust. The selected agency should have expertise in product testing, assessment, performance tuning, project management, and planning. The chip should also support high-fidelity output and gate operation time, aligning with global advancements in this field for the next 10 years.
The document outlines the requirements for a facility capable of producing a high fidelity superconductor-based quantum chip, along with its cryogenic electronic control chip. The selected agency should also have the ability to conduct thorough testing and validation of the quantum chip.
To qualify as a potential partner, companies must have executed at least one project in Quantum Chip Design and Development, or have a relevant patent in the field of quantum computing chip development.
Overall, the government is seeking end-to-end collaboration with selected companies, starting from development and continuing through the release processes, deployment, and ongoing support. The initial engagement will be for a period of three years.
This collaboration between the Indian government and start-ups/tech companies is a significant step towards the development of quantum computing capabilities in the country. With India’s focus on indigenous development and global collaboration, the quantum chip project holds immense potential for advancements in various fields.
Sources:
– News18