Rymax one: A neutral atom quantum processor to solve optimization problems

From the optimisation of supply chains to efficient vehicle routing computationally hard problems are deeply embedded into modern society. Finding solutions to these problems via classical means still requires substantial computational effort. Quantum processors, on the contrary, promise a significant advantage in solving them. To explore the potential of quantum computing for real-world applications, we set up Rymax One, a quantum processor designed to solve hard optimisation problems. We trap ultracold neutral Ytterbium atoms in arbitrary arrays of optical tweezers, ideally suited to solve optimisation problems and perform quantum operations in a hardware-efficient manner. The level structure of Yb provides the possibility of attaining qubits with long coherence times as well as Rydberg-mediated interactions and high-fidelity gate operations. These features allow us to realise a scalable platform for quantum processing to test the performance of novel quantum algorithms tailored to tackle real-world problems.