Researchers ask industry for heterogeneous systems that blend quantum computing and classical computing
- What is the main goal of DARPA's HARQ program? To develop heterogeneous quantum computing architectures to overcome the scalability limitations of homogeneous single-qubit systems and enhance future quantum computing, sensing, and communications.
- What are the two technical focus areas of the HARQ program? MOSAIC, which focuses on quantum circuit compilers and software for heterogeneous systems; and QSB, which addresses interconnect technologies to link different qubit species.
- Why are heterogeneous architectures important in quantum computing? They combine different types of quantum and classical components to optimize performance, and offer greater scalability and efficiency than do homogeneous systems that rely on only one type of qubit.
ARLINGTON, Va. – U.S. military researchers are asking industry to develop heterogeneous quantum computing architectures for future applications of quantum computing, quantum sensors, and quantum communications.
Officials of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in Arlington, Va., issued a program solicitation (DARPA-PS-25-31) for the Heterogeneous Architectures for Quantum (HARQ) program.
The principal objective of HARQ program is to establish a new heterogeneous quantum computing paradigm that eliminates the constraints of homogeneous single-qubit systems.
The scaling limitations of homogeneous quantum computing architectures are expected to limit the size and computational power of these complex systems. Using optimal qubits for computational functions could unlock scalability to applications in materials, chemistry simulation, and biological modeling. HARQ will test whether heterogeneous architectures are more scalable than homogeneous architectures.