Columbia University Breakthrough: HyperQ Quantum Computer Enables Multi-User Access
Columbia University Breakthrough: HyperQ Quantum Computer Enables Multi-User Access
A team at Columbia University has built a computing system that lets several users run their own workloads on a single quantum computer at the same time—a shift that could change how the field operates. It is the first demonstration of true multi-user access on one quantum machine without queueing or sequential sharing of results.
The platform, named HyperQ, adds a virtualization layer that slices the quantum processor into isolated sections called quantum virtual machines (qVMs).
Each section runs independently, so different users can launch distinct applications in parallel. A scheduler—likened by the researchers to a “master Tetris player”—packs qVMs across the device to boost utilization and cut idle time.
The team unveiled the technology in July at the 19th USENIX Symposium on Operating System Design and Implementation (OSDI ’25), sharing extensive test results from IBM’s Brisbane quantum computer—a 127-qubit system based on the Eagle chipset.
System Inspired by Cloud-Style Virtualization
At Columbia Engineering, professor of computer science Jason Nieh, a coauthor of the study, said HyperQ brings the cloud-computing model to quantum. The approach lets multiple programs execute at once on a single system without interference or slowdowns.
The milestone lands while quantum hardware remains expensive and scarce. Quantum Zeitgeist estimates that even a small gate-based quantum computer can cost between $10 million and $15 million.
Annual upkeep often tops $1 million, not counting software development. Historically, most quantum systems effectively supported only one user at a time because qubits—the quantum counterparts of classical bits—are highly sensitive and tightly interconnected.
To counter these limits, the Columbia group borrowed ideas from classical clouds. In traditional setups, a hypervisor allocates unused resources to isolated virtual machines. Translating that to quantum required further innovation, especially around controlling “noise,” the unwanted interactions among qubits.
Dynamic Scheduling Replaces Rigid Compiler Requirements
HyperQ inserts a ring of buffer qubits around each qVM. These inactive qubits act as shields, limiting crosstalk so neighboring tasks can run side by side without disrupting one another.
Lead author Runzhou Tao, formerly a doctoral researcher in Columbia’s Software Systems Laboratory, noted that prior techniques often forced programs to be compiled together in advance using special compilers.
HyperQ removes that constraint with dynamic scheduling. Programs are compiled independently and then dispatched in real time onto qVMs of different sizes.
The results show large gains: HyperQ cut average wait times by up to 40× and increased the total number of executed quantum programs by a factor of ten. In some cases, work that once took days finished within hours.
The researchers now plan to take HyperQ beyond IBM hardware, adapting it for a wider set of quantum computers from other vendors.
More Info here – To submit a story to us, address it to “the Editor” here
About HyperQ
The HyperQ team at Columbia University brings together systems researchers and quantum computing specialists to make access practical. Led by Columbia Engineering professor Jason Nieh, the group designed a cloud-style virtualization layer that splits quantum hardware into isolated quantum virtual machines (qVMs), coordinated by a scheduler likened to a “master Tetris player.” Lead author Runzhou Tao, formerly a doctoral researcher in Columbia’s Software Systems Laboratory, implemented dynamic scheduling so independently compiled programs can run in parallel without interfering. To curb crosstalk, the team surrounded each qVM with buffer qubits, enabling concurrent tasks while preserving fidelity.
They validated HyperQ on IBM’s Brisbane quantum computer, a 127-qubit system based on the Eagle chipset, demonstrating up to 40× shorter wait times and a tenfold increase in executed programs, with projects finishing in hours instead of days. Looking ahead, the team plans to adapt HyperQ beyond IBM hardware, targeting broader compatibility across quantum platforms.
Featured image Source: Geek Reporter
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and is derived from publicly available sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the completeness, reliability, or validity of the content. This article does not assert or verify any claims about specific companies, individuals, or organizations. References to external reports, studies, or sources are for contextual purposes only and do not imply endorsement or confirmation of any specific allegations. Readers are advised to conduct their own due diligence and seek professional advice before making business or investment decisions. We disclaim any liability for losses or damages incurred as a result of reliance on the information provided.