Quantum Day, a popular science session dedicated to quantum computers and technologies, took place as part of the second day of the event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Wrocław Centre for Networking and Supercomputing at WUST. The conference attracted experts from all over Poland.
 
Odra 5 – the first superconducting quantum computer in Central and Eastern Europe, was launched on 22 May at the Wrocław Centre for Networking and Supercomputing. It has 5 qubits and operates at a temperature of 10 mK (millikelvin), which is -273.14°C.

The topics discussed during Quantum Day included the potential applications of local quantum computers, an introduction to quantum machine learning, and the application of quantum computers in cryptology. Prof. Wojciech Bożejko, head of the Department of Control Systems and Mechatronics at our Faculty, delivered a lecture on quantum discrete optimisation.

– This is a quantum version of an approach to solving problems that, mathematically speaking, are very difficult for classical computers. This is because we do not know effective methods to solve them. Quantum computers have the potential to generate an exponential number of states simultaneously – emphasises Prof. Bożejko. Such potential will be accessible to WUST researchers, doctoral students and students.

The launch of the quantum computer is exciting for students of our Faculty, especially for the members of the Qubit Quantum Computing Research Club. – We now have our own quantum computer and so we have direct access to its computational power. It opens broader scientific and educational opportunities. Many people nowadays only use calculation simulators. But these have some approximations and inaccuracies. And in the case of external companies, we are limited by constraints – emphasises Dr. Radosław Idzikowski, the scientific supervisor of the Qubit Student Research Club operating at our Faculty. Members of the club are to be among the first to work on the Odra 5.

– In our club, and in particular as the quantum machine-learning team, we are preparing for the first calculations. We have prepared datasets for machine learning. We would like to use our quantum computer in the coming weeks – says Mateusz Kucharski, M.Sc., the supervisor of the Qubit club.

Scientists emphasise that students are interested in quantum technology. This was visible during Quantum Day.

A variety of issues in computer science have been already explored. Quantum computers are a new area of exploration, and this is a perfect opportunity for students. We are considering which direction to develop in. And here we can discover something new,” emphasises Hubert Siewiera, our student and the president of the Qubit club.

The fact that our university has a quantum computer means that we can participate in the development of this technology. Just as the advent of ordinary computers was very interesting, we have the chance to experience something similar with the new technology of quantum computers, explains student Igor Janiak, a member of the Qubit club.

The course Information Technology in Automation Systems already has subjects related to quantum computing. There are plans to establish new specialisations, and ultimately a study programme in Quantum Computer Science.

– We might have a new course within a year and a half. We first need to complete the formalities. It will be first launched in the 2nd level studies. Ultimately, we will also offer it in the 1st level studies,” notes Prof. Wojciech Bożejko.

WUST purchased the quantum computer from the Finnish company IQM Quantum Computers. During the Quantum Day, Sylwia Barthel de Weydenthal, the Commercial Director and Country Manager for the Central and Eastern European market at IQM, presented commemorative quantum processors to university representatives.