Japanese research institute Riken has collaborated with NTT and Fixstars Amplify to launch what they claim to be the world’s first general-purpose optical quantum computer.

Developed by a joint research group comprising individuals from the three organizations, the platform is expected to advance large-scale quantum calculations.

Eligible users will be able to access the platform through a cloud system via the Internet however, it is currently only available through a joint research agreement.

The quantum computer uses a continuous-variable analog design with time-division multiplexing. This allows computations to occur through quantum teleportation on time-multiplexed quantum entanglement, providing efficient multi-step quantum operations.

According to the three contributing organizations, the optical quantum computer operates just above room temperature and can offer high-speed processing up to several hundred terahertz. As a result, it is expected to enable faster and larger-scale quantum calculations than conventional quantum computers.

Riken has already deployed two Fujitsu-made quantum computers and has signed a deal to procure a system from Honeywell’s Quantinuum. In May 2024, it was reported that Riken would deploy an IBM quantum computer at the Riken Center for Computational Science in Kobe, Japan.

Part of software company Fixstars Corporation, Fixstars Amplify is a quantum-based cloud platform founded in 2021.