The assembly of quantum computers intended for Paraíba is scheduled to begin in November, following the arrival of the remaining equipment parts. This forecast was confirmed by the State Secretary of Science and Technology, Cláudio Furtado, last Saturday (24).
According to the secretary, the components are expected to arrive in the state on November 17th. This receipt will be preceded by customs clearance procedures, which are scheduled to start on November 5th. Cláudio Furtado detailed that customs clearance will begin on November 5th, and all remaining parts will be in Paraíba on November 17th, the moment the computer will begin its preparation and assembly process.
The project includes the installation of two quantum computers at the Quantum Computing Center of Paraíba (Ciquanta), located in João Pessoa. These devices were mentioned by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) during the presidential debate held with Flávio Bolsonaro (PL), broadcast by TV Globo on Friday (23).
Updated Schedule After Initial Forecast
Initially, in July of this year, the g1 portal had reported that the first quantum computers in Latin America would be installed in Paraíba still in 2026, with the expectation of completing the assembly by October. However, the schedule has been updated. Cláudio Furtado clarified that it is now expected that part of the Ciquanta structure will be delivered at the beginning of December.
Infrastructure and Works for the Technology
The devices will be installed on the premises of the Estação das Artes in João Pessoa, a location that is undergoing modifications to accommodate the new technology. The structure requires very specific environmental conditions, such as temperature control, environmental stability, and electromagnetic shielding. Cláudio Furtado also assured that infrastructure work is underway to ensure compliance with the installation schedule, mentioning that the electrical and logical parts will be finalized that week, and the air conditioning units are already ready to complete the installation.
The scope of the project includes two quantum computers, with capacities of 20 and 100 qubits, representing an estimated initial investment of about R$ 150 million.
Operation and Requirements of a Quantum Computer
Unlike traditional computers, which use bits to process data, quantum computers employ qubits, which are units of information based on the principles of Quantum Physics. This technology has the potential to assist in specialized research and calculations in fields such as logistics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and drug development. It is important to note, however, that this does not imply they are superior to conventional ones in all activities.
The equipment demands specialized cooling systems. As explained by Cláudio Furtado, the chips need to operate at temperatures close to absolute zero, specifically around 10 millikelvin, which is equivalent to approximately -273 °C. To achieve this condition, a cooling system using helium-3 and helium-4 will be employed, supplemented by redundancy mechanisms to sustain the necessary operating conditions.
Access for Paraíba Researchers
Initial access to these computers will be granted to researchers affiliated with institutions in the state of Paraíba, such as the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), and the Federal Institute of Paraíba (IFPB). Furthermore, the project foresees the transfer of technological knowledge from the Chinese company CETC to Ciquanta, covering topics such as cryogenics, sensors, and operating systems. The greater objective is to foster the training of Brazilian professionals to work with this technology and expand the chances of developing new equipment in Brazil.