Engineering simulation to help build quantum computers

Conventional computer technology stores information as 0s and 1s, but a quantum computer uses qubits, which can be a 1 or a 0 or both at the same time. This enables quantum computers to consider and manipulate all combinations of bits simultaneously, making quantum computation powerful and extremely fast.

Quantum computing places extreme demands on the operating environment. The system must be isolated from external electromagnetic fields and the temperature must be maintained near absolute zero. Multiphysics simulation is a powerful tool to accurately predict the kinds of environments that can be engineered in the real world.

As D-Wave is using ANSYS multiphysics solutions ranging from electromagnetic solutions for simulating how integrated circuits function and interact at extremely low temperatures, to structural and computational fluid dynamics to simulate the systems used to cool the quantum processor. 

“ANSYS offers a broad product portfolio with consistently high performance across all of its multiphysics products,” said Jeremy Hilton, Vice President of Processor Development, D-Wave. “If we weren’t using ANSYS, we’d be forced to use disparate tools that don’t communicate with each other. These solutions are helping D-Wave optimise today’s quantum computers, while giving us valuable insight as we begin planning for the next-gen.”

“D-Wave is breaking ground every day, creating computers that are the stuff of science fiction,” said Larry Williams, Director of Product Management, ANSYS. “It has never been tried before, but by using the power of ANSYS engineering simulation, this global leader is turning a vision into reality.”