Conducting R&D for a PaaS system linking quantum computing and HPC for deployment to the cloud

Quantum computers are expected to be used in a variety of fields, including quantum chemical simulations in drug discovery and material development, combinatorial optimization in the finance and transportation fields, and prime factorization in cryptanalysis. However, in Japan, quantum computers are regarded as a technology of the future, and the technology is not yet fully understood. There are also few computing environments available for use in trials conducted by users without quantum computing expertise. This has acted as a barrier to entry for researchers and developers, hindering Japan's international competitiveness.

Quantum computers have the ability to solve problems that would be difficult to solve with ordinary computers. For example, in drug discovery and material development, quantum chemical simulations can be used to analyze molecular structures and help discover new materials. In the finance and transportation fields, combinatorial optimization calculations can effectively help to optimize complex portfolios and the efficiency of transportation networks. Another example is cryptanalysis, which is attracting attention in the security field due to its potential in defeating current cryptographic systems by accelerating prime factorization. However, taking advantage of these potential benefits requires access to quantum computers.

Quantum computer usage environments and services will likely continue to be expanded as technology advances, especially in organizations such as companies and research institutes. However, there is still a barrier to entry for using standalone quantum computers, and it would be beneficial to link this technology with HPC in order to expand its usage and potential. However, in Japan, there are few cloud services that combine quantum computers and HPCs, and this has hindered the use of quantum computers. Providing access to a computing environment in which quantum computers and HPCs are linked through a cloud service would help to create environments that could be used even by users without any expertise, which would provide access to more researchers and developers. This would also help to improve Japan's technological capabilities and international competitiveness.

More specifically, we will develop workflow build environment tools on the cloud, and provide mechanisms that can be easily operated using a GUI. This will allow users to build workflows using just a mouse, and then rerun the workflows they save on different datasets. We will also develop functionality to submit jobs to a hybrid linked scheduler to run quantum computing tasks. This function will send sets of files required for computation to quantum computers, and receive sets of result files once computation is finished.

We will also develop an account management system to manage quantum computer users, and will provide a portal with login and single sign-on (SSO) authentication functionality. This account management system will simplify user authentication and access management, and will provide an environment in which users can use the system without worry.

As one example of an application using a PaaS workflow linking quantum computing and HPC, we are also considering an application in which external data such as IoT data is analyzed using software linked with quantum computing and HPC. In order to provide this, we will develop mechanisms (event-driven functions) that automatically execute predefined processes when data is received from an external system. Any functions developed will be implemented to run on the PaaS portal. We will also consider real-time scheduling, which would be required by such applications.

The first stage of development will be to test each function individually to ensure proper operation. We will then integrate and test all functions to confirm that the entire system works properly. This will ensure that the entire system operates reliably. Specifically, we will define requirements and create a detailed design with regard to the workflow build environment tools, scheduler, account management system, and event-driven functions. We will then test these functions individually based on requirement definition documents and detailed design documents.

During the stage in which each function will be integrated and the operation of the entire system will be verified, we will integrate each individual function that is developed, and will use demo applications to verify that the entire PaaS system operates properly. We will then integrate this with the platform linking quantum computers and supercomputers developed during Project 5 "Building a platform linking quantum computers and supercomputers, and developing operation technology" and conduct test operations. After developing the PaaS system, we will deploy it to the SoftBank cloud, conduct testing and demonstrations, and have it used by trial users. We will conduct evaluations and make improvements based on feedback from users. We will also conduct tests using supercomputers operated by RIKEN and other organizations, and verify system operation using demo applications.

Cloud services for quantum computers are still being developed worldwide, and there are many issues to be addressed. Conventional cloud services mainly provide environments for executing code using simple quantum libraries (such as quantum chemical calculation, optimization calculation, and quantum machine learning). However, this project will also provide functionality to build workflows for implementing practical applications using a GUI. This revolutionary system will make it possible to perform large-scale quantum computing by linking the most advanced quantum computers with supercomputers providing the highest level of performance, such as the Fugaku supercomputer operated by the RIKEN Center for Computational Science. This will allow complex calculations to be processed rapidly, and could significantly advance R&D in various fields.

The platform will also optimize links between quantum computers and HPCs, so that computing resources could be used efficiently. This will provide companies and research institutes with the computing power they need, when they need it, without having to purchase expensive hardware. The knowledge and data obtained through this platform could also be used to develop further technologies linking quantum computers and HPCs.

During this project, we will continue to conduct R&D with an eye toward developing businesses that make use of software linking quantum computing and HPC from the cloud (Project 10). Through this system, we will provide users with an environment in which the latest computing technology can be used to promote innovative R&D, and will verify the effectiveness of its implementation and practical application in society.