Quantum Software
What is quantum software?
Quantum software includes the code, algorithms and tools that enable quantum computers to process information and solve problems. It is designed around the principles of quantum mechanics, and it uses a specific programming language to tell quantum hardware how to process information.
Why is quantum software important?
Quantum software is another foundational part of developing a fully functional quantum computer. It’s not enough to have a large number of qubits if there is not a software programme to correctly tell the hardware what to do.
Potential quantum software applications include analysing materials and chemical compounds, optimising complex systems, developing new approaches to machine learning, and improving post-quantum cryptography (PQC), which aims to protect existing digital systems against future quantum attacks.
It’s a common misconception that quantum means faster computing. Quantum algorithms use a fundamentally different “language” to help quantum computers process information and follow commands. So while it’s not necessarily faster, it enables new approaches to functions that cannot necessarily be solved with current classical methods.
Current development of quantum software
Even though larger scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers are still in development, researchers are already working on the software and algorithms that support them.
Because researchers can develop and test quantum algorithms and software tools on classical computers and simulators, they can already begin laying the foundation for future quantum applications.
As quantum hardware develops, combining quantum and classical computing will become increasingly important. It’s not an “either-or” scenario. Quantum software will be one of the pieces that plays a key role in translating quantum technologies into practical applications.
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QuSoft
QuSoft is the Dutch research centre for quantum software and technology, founded by CWI and the University of Amsterdam (UvA) in 2015. Researchers at the institution focus on quantum computing, quantum algorithms, quantum information, and applications.
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Applied Quantum Algorithms (aQa)
aQa brings together researchers from the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) and the Leiden Institute of Physics (LION) to develop quantum algorithms and explore applications in physics, chemistry, machine learning, AI and optimisation. The initiative also focuses on making algorithms compatible with near-term quantum devices.
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QSA - Quantum Software Alliance
The Quantum Software Alliance is a network of research institutions working to make quantum computing practical through software. Its work includes algorithm discovery, verification, benchmarking, interoperability and quantum hardware-software co-design.
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Article: The rise of quantum software
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is taking a leading role in society’s quantum future, and three UvA professors are each working in their own way to develop quantum software: Kareljan Schoutens, Christian Schaffner, and Stacey Jeffery (who is also affiliated with the CWI).
