German Aerospace Center Launches Quantum Materials Simulation Project

Quantum startups Multiverse Computing and Single Quantum are undertaking a joint materials science research project for the German Aerospace Center’s Quantum Computing Initiative (DLR QCI).

Under a $1.4 million contract, the companies will use quantum simulation to improve the transmission abilities of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors.

These detectors are essential in quantum communications and play a pivotal role in various fields, including quantum computing, deep-space communication and bio-imaging. DLR is investigating ways these could offer a potential quantum advantage towards transport, energy, and security.

The collaboration between Multiverse Computing and Single Quantum will focus on calculating the refractive index of the superconducting film in the detectors.

“Materials simulation is a huge research area where we know classical computing has significant limitations. Finding new methods to efficiently simulate materials using quantum computing has great potential, and it is a problem worth investing in the long term due to its high value," said Multiverse Computing co-founder and CEO Enrique Lizaso-Olmos.

The project is part of a wider DLR QCI initiative, launched in 2021, which aims to develop quantum competencies and strengthen the quantum computing ecosystem. Insights from this research are expected to benefit other DLR QCI teams, enabling other quantum simulations.

Related:German Aerospace Center Launches Quantum Climate Modeling Initiative

Multiverse Computing and Single Quantum plan to develop a unique algorithm that will run on DLR QCI’s quantum computers. The research will support the goals of the Algorithms for Quantum Computer Development in Hardware-Software Codesign (ALQU), focusing on efficient circuit compilation on quantum hardware and developing quantum algorithms for industrial use.

This project builds on Multiverse Computing's existing quantum ecosystem collaborations with the German firms Bosch, ZF, BASF and others.