Intel today released its quantum software development kit (SDK) version 1.0, which is designed to allow developers to interface with the company’s quantum computing stack to program new quantum algorithms for executing qubits in simulation and on real quantum hardware in the future.

The company launched the beta version of this Quantum SDK last September. It is "a full quantum computing system in simulation, including a quantum compiler, a quantum runtime and simulation of quantum bits —qubits,” Anne Matsuura, Director of Quantum and Molecular Technologies at Intel, explained during a press roundtable.

The kit interfaces with Intel’s quantum hardware, including its Horse Ridge II control chip and the quantum spin qubit chip, which is set to launch later this year. It features a programming interface written in C++ using an industry-standard low-level virtual machine (LLVM) compiler toolchain.

“We have developed a quantum software toolchain including a C++ based quantum compiler optimized for hybrid quantum-classical algorithms, although you can run purely quantum algorithms as well. And this compiler is based on an industry-standard LLVM intermediate representation extended with quantum extensions,” Matsuura said.

She noted the main difference between the beta and 1.0 versions is “a second qubit target backend.”

The beta version taps an open-source generic qubit simulator — Intel Quantum Simulator (IQS), which can simulate 32 qubits on a single node and more than 40 qubits on multiple nodes. While version 1.0 allows developers to have a target backend that simulates Intel quantum dot qubit hardware and enables compact model simulation of Intel silicon spin qubits.

The new release also offers more automation in mapping and scheduling, along with more compatibility with other programming languages besides C++, Matsuura noted. “We're trying to be more accommodating to those who are more used to Python, although our target audience is actually the classical computer engineering, C++ experts.”

Users can access Intel’s Quantum SDK 1.0 now on the OneAPI Intel Dev Cloud. “And in the future, the SDK will be the gateway to using the full Intel quantum computing system with real Intel qubit chip, real Intel quantum hardware,” she said.

Intel already has 150 users for its Quantum SDK beta version, Matsuura said.

During an Intel Quantum Computing Challenge held in early January, beta users explored various use cases including image denoising and realistic image generation, and solving unstructured search problems.

Plus, Leidos researchers have teamed up with the Intel Quantum SDK team on preliminary beta research on computational chemistry and materials modeling, and theoretical research into thermofield double states since last year, according to Intel.

The company noted in a blog that it expects version 1.0 contributing to “speed up complex problem solving in materials, chemical and drug design, climate modeling, and cryptography.”

Including the Quantum SDK, Intel has been working on building a full-stack commercial quantum system based on the silicon spin qubits using its expertise in silicon transistor design, high-volume manufacturing, and fabrication technologies for the past six years, according to Director of Quantum Hardware James Clarke.

“Our overall goal is to build a scalable commercial-size quantum computer that can solve practical problems that are intractable for classical computers,” Matsuura said.

To build a community of developers, it offers tutorials and workshops. “We've been giving the white glove treatment to our users, and we're teaching tutorials, still nearly almost every week. We're also teaching tutorials and workshops based on the Intel quantum SDK at conferences, including the IEEE Quantum Week conference.”

Intel also provided grants to five universities to develop quantum course curricula: the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University, Technische Hochschule Deggendorf, Keio University, and the Ohio State University.