Quantum Bottlenecks Overcome with HyperQ: A Novel System for Multiplexing Quantum Computers

Columbia Engineering researchers have developed HyperQ, a system that enables multiple users to share a single quantum computer simultaneously through isolated quantum virtual machines. This breakthrough brings quantum computing closer to real-world usability, making it more practical, efficient, and broadly accessible. HyperQ dynamically allocates quantum resources and schedules jobs to maximize efficiency and scalability, similar to how cloud servers revolutionized classical computing. The system has been successfully tested on IBM's biggest quantum computers, reducing average user wait times by up to 40 times.

Columbia Engineering researchers have developed HyperQ, a groundbreaking system that enables multiple users to share a single quantum computer simultaneously through isolated quantum virtual machines (qVMs). This innovative approach marks a significant advancement in quantum computing, bringing it closer to real-world usability and making it more practical, efficient, and broadly accessible.

HyperQ operates by dynamically allocating quantum resources and intelligently scheduling jobs, similar to how cloud servers revolutionized classical computing. By dividing a physical quantum computer's hardware into multiple, smaller, isolated qVMs, HyperQ allows a single machine to run multiple programs at once without interference or waiting in line. This dynamic allocation and scheduling reduce average user wait times by up to 40 times, transforming turnaround times from days to mere hours.

The system has been successfully tested on IBM's biggest quantum computers through the IBM Quantum cloud, demonstrating its potential to enhance computational accuracy and increase the number of quantum programs executed in the same timeframe. This breakthrough represents a pivotal step in transforming quantum computing from a powerful yet constrained scientific tool into a practical technology poised to drive significant real-world impact.

The potential benefits of HyperQ are far-reaching. For quantum cloud providers such as IBM, Google, and Amazon, the technology offers a powerful way to serve more users with existing hardware infrastructure, increasing both capacity and cost-effectiveness. For academic and industry researchers, HyperQ means much faster access to quantum computing resources, which could dramatically speed up work in crucial areas such as drug discovery, the development of advanced materials, and the creation of more efficient energy solutions.

Looking ahead, the researchers plan to extend HyperQ's capabilities to support emerging quantum computing architectures, ensuring its flexibility and compatibility with all types of quantum computers. This adaptability will be crucial as quantum technology evolves, allowing HyperQ to continue to help many users share quantum hardware efficiently, regardless of the underlying technology.

HyperQ represents a pivotal step in transforming quantum computing, enabling it to tackle some of the world's most challenging problems more quickly and efficiently. This development is set to be presented at the 19th USENIX Symposium on Operating Systems Design and Implementation (OSDI '25) in Boston, July 7–9, 2025.

References:
[1] https://techxplore.com/news/2025-07-quantum-bottlenecks-breakthroughs.html
[2] https://www.iotworldtoday.com/quantum/ibm-backs-26m-funding-for-quantum-computing-error-correction-startup
[3] https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/quantum-computing-started-at-neutral-on-steep-valuation-slow-commercialization-4121439