Japan's Institute for Molecular Science says neutral-atom computer Shunkai is switched on
A lab led by photo-molecular physicist Kenji Ohmori at Japan's Institute for Molecular Science says it has powered on Shunkai, which it calls "Japan's first full-stack, neutral atom quantum computer," according to a press release. The announcement is not tied to peer-reviewed research. Shunkai is part of a nationwide consortium of universities and companies that aims for a fault-tolerant universal quantum computer by 2050. The institute says its single-atom qubits can work at room temperature "without the need for a refrigerator," though the article notes that quantum "room temperature" means above freezing and some cooling may still be needed. The statement calls the machine "operational," but the article says this appears to mean assembly is complete and it can be turned on, with no results reported and the team's goals still in the future tense.