Softbank Explores Business Use Cases for Quantum

Japan’s Softbank is collaborating with Keio University to investigate commercial use cases for current quantum computers, with an initial focus on quantum chemistry.

Working at Keio University Quantum Computing Center, Softbank researchers aim to simulate nuclear quantum effects (NQE) which cannot be efficiently processed by classical computers.

The researchers plan to use current technology, known as noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) computers, which require significant error correction to deliver usable results. They will first investigate the mechanisms of chemical phenomena and validate NISQ use cases for social implementation.

Chemistry, biology and material science simulations using classical computers treat atomic nuclei as classical particles that are independent of electrons because they do not have the computing power to calculate the nuclear quantum effects (NQEs) and the interaction between electrons and atomic nuclei. This can result in significant errors for certain atoms.

Because quantum computers rely on the quantum effects of subatomic particles, they are better suited to directly simulate the interactions between electrons and nuclei. SoftBank and Keio University want to demonstrate that NISQ computers can carry out higher precision NQE simulations. This could benefit several fields, including novel drugs and material discovery.

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After its quantum chemistry work, Softbank intends to conduct research in fields including quantum machine learning and optimization planning and work with mobile technologies such as 5G and 6G communication systems and IoT to contribute to the social implementation of quantum computers.