India Today reports that the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai is working on a project to construct a small-scale computer in its Quantum Measurement and Control lab (QuMaC).
Dr. R. Vijayraghavan, the department head, characterized this achievement as a crucial step for the nation into the first phase of quantum technology.
"This will enable us to participate in this game," he exclaimed.
The device under development is intended to serve as a prototype for future developments in the relevant field.
The small-scale quantum computer, according to Dr. R. Vijayraghavan, will be able to solve equations that are simple enough for a typical laptop to solve, but this is only the foundation for more sophisticated systems.
"We have to start somewhere if we're going to develop a 100 qubit machine. This provides us with all the knowledge we need to comprehend the many components of a quantum computer and the areas that present difficulty," he said.
"For us, it's the first step," the researcher said, drawing a comparison between the endeavor with IBM's introduction of its first 5-bit quantum computer eight years ago.