Chapter 1: The Quantum Race

In the current technological landscape, Australia is making significant strides in the quest to develop a scalable quantum computer, concentrating its efforts on three sophisticated designs utilizing silicon.

Andrea Morello, a prominent figure in this field, defies typical stereotypes associated with quantum computing. With an unusual appearance featuring a ponytail and an intense gaze, he is a key player in this endeavor. "Prior to our work, there were no silicon qubits," Morello explains, reflecting on his achievements that earned him the prestigious Rolf Landauer and Charles H. Bennett Award in 2017. "We have played a pivotal role in establishing this field, and now we are leading the charge."

Morello is part of a dynamic duo alongside his mentor, Andrew Dzurak, who has dedicated nearly two decades to advancing silicon quantum computing concepts. After moving from Canada, Morello joined Dzurak at the Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney in 2006.

The duo faces the ambitious goal of enhancing UNSW's initial work on solid-state quantum devices, focusing on manipulating the unique data states known as quantum bits, or 'qubits,' and honing techniques for controlling individual atoms in silicon.

A decade later, they find themselves at the epicenter of what many are calling the 'space race of the century': a global initiative aimed at constructing quantum computers capable of solving complex problems beyond the reach of today's most advanced machines. Within CQC2T, Morello and Dzurak are integral to the world's largest collaboration working towards a comprehensive ecosystem for universal quantum computing.

Unlike many other research groups, CQC2T is singularly focused on solid-state devices in silicon, the foundation of the global semiconductor industry valued at $380 billion. Their objective is not merely to showcase impressive designs with numerous qubits but to create qubits that can eventually be mass-produced and scaled to unprecedented levels.

“The infrastructure required to manufacture the silicon qubit devices we create is unparalleled in a university setting,” says Morello. “No one else in academia has access to such advanced facilities.”

Andrew Dzurak, characterized by his sharp jackets and tousled hair, plays a crucial role in establishing this infrastructure. After obtaining a PhD from the University of Cambridge, he joined UNSW in 1994 to develop Australia’s highest-resolution electron-beam lithography capabilities, fabricating devices as tiny as 10 nanometers.

He later became a key architect of the UNSW node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, a leading nanoscale manufacturing hub equipped with a complete silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor process line — precisely what is needed to fabricate silicon qubit devices. Dzurak now oversees UNSW's expansive 750-square-meter facility.

“The intricate infrastructure necessary for such precise fabrication is typically found only in billion-dollar factories that produce silicon integrated circuits,” Dzurak explains. “Our ambition is to develop a 10-qubit silicon device within five years. Ideally, this would involve a method that closely resembles how a billion transistors are integrated onto a chip.”

“If we can achieve this, we will have discovered a way to produce qubit chips at scale and sell them affordably,” Morello adds.

Dzurak concurs, stating, “A significant challenge lies in reaching near 10 qubits. Once that milestone is achieved, the path forward will become more evident. Demonstrating the scientific and technical foundation for 10 qubits will pave the way for scaling up to 100, 1,000, or even 10,000 qubits.”

This encapsulates the gamble that UNSW, along with its corporate and government partners, is undertaking: that the three innovative designs for silicon qubit chips pioneered by CQC2T's researchers will prove to be more practical and easier to scale than competing technologies.

The heart of contemporary computing is the microprocessor, or CPU, which serves as a complete computation engine on a single chip. Information is represented by bits, forming a binary code (yes/no, on/off) that is always either a 0 or a 1. These binary digits drive the operations of today’s computers.

Chapter 2: The Quantum Advantage

The limitations of traditional binary computation necessitate a shift toward quantum computing. Classical systems must perform calculations sequentially, akin to manual processes. Even when multiple CPUs are used for parallel processing, tasks remain serial in nature.

Quantum computers, however, leverage the principles of 'entanglement' and 'superposition,' allowing qubits to represent multiple values simultaneously. This capability enables quantum computers to perform operations in parallel, vastly increasing their computational potential.

As we delve deeper into the implications of quantum computing, the promise of extraordinary processing power becomes evident, especially as classical computers reach their limits.

The first video, "MIT Technology Review: The Race to a Million-Qubit Quantum Computer," explores the ongoing efforts to create more powerful quantum computers.

The global competition in quantum computing research encompasses nations such as the UK, Australia, Canada, and the USA, with significant investments also emerging from Russia and other developed countries. This has led to what is being termed the Second Quantum Revolution, which aims to transform various fields, including healthcare and engineering, through advancements in quantum technology.

With leading tech companies like Intel, Microsoft, IBM, and Google investing heavily in the race for quantum supremacy, the focus remains on developing universal quantum computers capable of outperforming classical systems across a spectrum of applications.

The second video, "The global race to build fully functional quantum computers," highlights the intense competition among nations and corporations vying to develop practical quantum computing solutions.

As Australia continues its ambitious pursuit of quantum computing, the world watches closely, anticipating breakthroughs that could redefine technology as we know it.