Algorithm achieves ‘chemical accuracy’ with commercially available quantum computers

Qunova Computing has become the first company to achieve chemical accuracy on commercially available quantum computers, marking a key milestone for quantum applications in industries like pharmaceuticals and industrial engineering.

Qunova Computing, a quantum software developer founded in 2021, has announced a significant milestone in quantum chemistry. The company’s algorithm successfully achieved “chemical accuracy” — an industry benchmark requiring precision within 1.6 millihartrees — on commercially available quantum hardware. This breakthrough, marking the first such result on a NISQ (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum) machine, holds promise for advancing quantum computing’s role in fields such as pharmaceuticals and industrial engineering.

June-Koo Kevin Rhee, Qunova’s CEO and Founder, described the result as a meaningful step forward for quantum applications. “These results show that we are able to meet the requirements of industrial users on existing NISQ machines,” Rhee said. He suggested that future tests could demonstrate a quantum advantage for industry, potentially with machines using as few as 40 qubits. Such advancements could help industries unlock quantum computing’s potential to solve complex chemical modelling problems more quickly and cost-effectively.

Live Demonstration at Quantum Korea 2024

A key demonstration of Qunova’s algorithm occurred during the Quantum Korea 2024 event, where the company showcased its software on a 20-qubit quantum processor from IQM. Over three consecutive days, Qunova’s team modelled different molecular geometries of lithium sulfide (Li₂S), achieving chemical accuracy in front of a live audience. This demonstration illustrated both the reliability of IQM’s quantum hardware and the effectiveness of Qunova’s algorithm in consistently producing accurate results.

Similar tests were also conducted using other platforms, including IBM’s Quantum Eagle processor and AQT’s IBEX Q1, a trapped-ion system. These experiments showed comparable levels of accuracy, further proving that Qunova’s algorithm is hardware-agnostic — able to run on various quantum systems. Achieving this degree of flexibility is crucial for companies developing quantum software, as hardware architectures can differ widely across the sector.

Dr. Peter Eder, Head of Strategic Partnerships at IQM, commented on the achievement, noting the growing relevance of quantum applications in real-world scenarios. “Together with Qunova’s advanced algorithm, our commercial quantum system demonstrated that we are now entering the era when quantum computing can deliver real value for users,” he said.

Challenges in Quantum Chemistry

The field of quantum chemistry has long aimed to use quantum computers to solve chemical problems that classical computers struggle to handle efficiently. Traditional approaches, such as the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE), have had difficulty scaling to the level required for real-world applications. Even when running on quantum systems, VQEs have not achieved the level of precision necessary for chemical accuracy.

Qunova addresses this limitation through its HiVQE (Handover Iteration VQE) algorithm, a new method designed to reduce computational complexity. By eliminating “Pauli word measurements,” a step prone to introducing errors in conventional quantum computing algorithms, HiVQE streamlines the process, allowing Qunova to achieve results 1,000 times more efficiently than traditional VQEs. This reduction in computational resources means that chemical problems can be tackled on quantum computers with as few as 40 qubits.

Dr. Thomas Monz, CEO of AQT, whose hardware was used in some of Qunova’s tests, noted the significance of this development for the industry. “Providing quantum hardware on which Qunova was able to achieve chemical accuracy is an excellent example of the kind of value we aim to deliver,” Monz said. He also emphasised that Qunova’s solution is hardware-agnostic, which is critical for future commercial applications of quantum technology.

The Implications for Industry

Qunova’s success highlights the growing possibilities for quantum computing in industries reliant on complex chemical modelling. The company’s hybrid approach, which combines quantum and classical computing, could significantly reduce the time and cost involved in research and development processes. This has particular relevance for the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, where developing new materials or drugs can be an expensive and lengthy process.

While these results demonstrate progress, experts remain cautious about overhyping quantum computing’s immediate impact. Although promising, current NISQ machines are still limited by noise and scalability issues, meaning that quantum computers are not yet fully capable of solving all real-world problems. However, Qunova’s results suggest that targeted applications, such as chemical modelling, may soon be within reach for commercial users.

As the technology matures, the company will continue to refine its algorithms and conduct further experiments to push the boundaries of what is achievable with NISQ-era quantum hardware. This work aligns with Qunova’s broader goal of making quantum computing accessible to industries where precision and speed are paramount.

While quantum computing is still evolving, Qunova Computing’s recent achievements signal that the technology is beginning to deliver tangible benefits for specific use cases. The company’s algorithm shows potential in addressing long-standing challenges in chemistry, providing an important step towards unlocking the full commercial value of quantum computing.