QuTech Announces Tuna-17, a 100% European Quantum Processor
It is called Tuna-17 and does not refer to the English word for "tuna," but to an abbreviation of "tunable couplers." It is an open architecture quantum computer developed by QuTech in collaboration with the quantum ecosystem in Delft, Netherlands, and is 100% created using a European supply chain.
Tuna-17: The Open Architecture European Quantum Computer
QuTech is a Dutch research institute focused on the development of quantum technologies and computers in an open and collaborative manner. For this, it makes its devices available on a cloud platform free of charge and with open access to anyone: this way, researchers, students, and teachers can work directly with real quantum hardware and develop skills and new techniques.
Tuna-17, which is equipped with 17 qubits and 24 tunable couplers, allows for experimentation with error correction, usage of universal logic gates, and mid-circuit measurements, enabling it to execute a wide variety of quantum algorithms.
Tuna-17 follows the previous announcements of Tuna-5 and Tuna-9 by QuTech in the last year: a development that is progressing rapidly and will soon see the arrival of Tuna-28. The device is created thanks to a 100% European value chain and aims to create an open ecosystem where there is no vertical integration between hardware and software, but rather interoperability with various systems.
QuTech was founded at the Delft University of Technology and demonstrates how research can lead to significant industrial outcomes. It is responsible for the design and fabrication of the QPU, software support (Qiskit and PennyLane), system integration, and maintenance. Other companies in Delft handle different elements:
- TNO provides the compiler and co-designs the QPU;
- Orange Quantum Systems supplies the operating system and calibration software;
- Qblox is responsible for the control electronics;
- Delft Circuits provides the cryogenic cables;
- QuantWare manages the cryogenic packaging and signal amplifiers.
Tuna-17 was developed as a demonstrator within the EU Flagship OpenSuperQPlus project and showcases two things: on one hand, the vibrancy of the quantum computing field in Europe; on the other hand, the feasibility of constructing extremely complex devices like quantum computers in an open and collaborative manner.