A D-Wave machine refers to a type of quantum computer developed by the Canadian company D-Wave Systems Inc. D-Wave machines are based on a concept called quantum annealing, which is a specialized form of quantum computing. Quantum annealing is particularly suited for optimization problems, where the goal is to find the best solution among a large number of possible solutions.
D-Wave machines utilize a technology known as adiabatic quantum computing. They consist of a collection of superconducting qubits (quantum bits) that are interconnected and can exhibit quantum mechanical phenomena such as superposition and entanglement. Unlike universal quantum computers that aim to solve a broad range of problems, D-Wave machines are specifically designed to excel at solving optimization problems by leveraging quantum annealing techniques.
Google's interest in D-Wave machines stems from its desire to explore and advance quantum computing capabilities. In 2013, Google and NASA partnered to establish the Quantum Artificial Intelligence Lab, which aimed to study quantum computing and its potential applications. As part of this initiative, Google acquired a D-Wave machine.
By acquiring a D-Wave machine, Google aimed to investigate its performance and explore how quantum annealing could be utilized to solve optimization problems more efficiently. This allowed Google's researchers to gain hands-on experience with quantum computing hardware and further their understanding of the technology's potential applications.
It's important to note that while D-Wave machines were among the earliest commercially available quantum computers, they have a specific focus on quantum annealing and are not considered universal quantum computers capable of running all types of quantum algorithms. Universal quantum computers, such as those being pursued by other companies like IBM and Microsoft, have broader applicability but are still in the experimental and development stages.