Japan launches Shunkai, a room-temperature neutral atom quantum computer

The Institute for Molecular Science (IMS) in Okazaki, Japan, has launched Shunkai, the country’s first fully functional full-stack quantum computer based on neutral atom technology. Unlike superconducting quantum machines used by companies such as IBM and Google, Shunkai operates at room temperature, eliminating the need for complex and energy-intensive cryogenic cooling systems.

The system currently utilizes approximately 50 qubits and employs focused laser beams as optical tweezers to hold individual atoms in place. These atoms serve as qubits, with their quantum states manipulated via microwave and laser pulses. This architecture allows for greater flexibility, as atoms can be moved and rearranged to establish entanglement based on specific algorithms.

The development is a collaborative effort: Hitachi provided the software stack, while the American company Infleqtion developed the quantum processing unit (QPU). The IMS has outlined a roadmap for technological scaling, aiming for 500 qubits in the near term and a long-term goal of 10,000 physical qubits with advanced error correction capabilities by March 2031.