Columbia Engineering Researchers Develop Cloud-Style Virtualization for Quantum Computing

• By David Ramel
• 08/19/25

Researchers at Columbia Engineering have unveiled HyperQ, a system that brings cloud-style virtualization to quantum computing, allowing multiple users to share a single quantum processor simultaneously. It's a milestone that could reshape how quantum resources are accessed, scheduled, and scaled.

Unlike classical computers, which process bits as 0s or 1s, quantum computers use qubits — units that can exist in multiple states at once thanks to quantum phenomena like superposition and entanglement. This allows quantum machines to explore vast solution spaces in parallel, making them uniquely suited for problems that are computationally intractable for traditional systems.

The potential applications are staggering: simulating molecular interactions for drug development, optimizing logistics and supply chains, modeling financial systems, and even cracking encryption protocols. But quantum hardware is expensive, fragile, and notoriously difficult to scale. That's why breakthroughs like HyperQ matter — not just for speeding up research, but for making quantum computing more accessible, efficient, and ready for real-world deployment.

Breaking the Quantum Bottleneck

Quantum computers have traditionally operated under a severe constraint: they could only run one program at a time. This exclusivity meant that even minor tasks monopolized million-dollar machines, leaving researchers stuck in long queues while much of the hardware sat idle. Columbia Engineering's HyperQ system changes that paradigm by introducing virtualization to quantum computing — a concept long proven in classical cloud infrastructure.

What Is HyperQ?

HyperQ is a software hypervisor that enables multiple users to share a single quantum computer simultaneously. It does this by creating isolated quantum virtual machines (qVMs), each capable of running its own quantum program independently. As Jason Nieh, professor of computer science at Columbia Engineering, put it: HyperQ brings cloud-style virtualization to quantum computing. It lets a single machine run multiple programs at once — no interference, no waiting in line.

How It Works

The system dynamically allocates quantum resources and schedules jobs based on each program's needs. A central scheduler — described by researchers as operating like a master Tetris player — packs multiple qVMs onto different regions of the quantum chip, ensuring optimal performance without cross-interference.

Real-World Testing and Results

HyperQ was tested on IBM's largest quantum computers via the IBM Quantum cloud. Specifically, it was validated on IBM’s Brisbane quantum computer, a 127-qubit system based on the Eagle chipset. Unlike earlier multiplexing efforts that required specialized compilers and pre-coordinated workloads, HyperQ works dynamically with existing quantum programming tools. As lead author Runzhou Tao explained, Our approach works dynamically with existing quantum programming tools, which is far more flexible and practical for real-world use.

• Wait times reduced: Up to 40x faster turnaround
• Program throughput: Up to 10x more quantum jobs executed
• Accuracy boost: Scheduler avoids noisy chip regions for sensitive workloads

Implications for Quantum Cloud Providers

For providers like IBM, Google, and Amazon, HyperQ offers a way to serve more users without expanding hardware. It increases utilization, reduces costs, and makes quantum access more scalable. For researchers, it means faster experimentation and broader access to quantum resources — potentially accelerating breakthroughs in fields like drug discovery, materials science, and energy optimization.

Looking Ahead

The Columbia team plans to extend HyperQ to support emerging quantum architectures, making it adaptable across platforms. As Tao noted, This changes the game for how quickly we can tackle some of the world's most challenging problems.

Other Recent Quantum Computing Breakthroughs

While Columbia's HyperQ system is a major leap forward, it's part of a broader wave of innovation. Below are verified milestones from leading quantum players, each linked to their official announcement or institutional source.

• Microsoft & Atom Computing: Level 2 Quantum Deployment (July 2025)
  First operational deployment of a fault-tolerant quantum system using logical qubits, built in partnership with Atom Computing. Quantum Insider / QuNorth Announcement
• Google: Willow Quantum Chip (December 2024, updated June 2025)
  Achieved exponential error reduction and solved a benchmark task in under five minutes--performance that would take a supercomputer 10²⁵ years. Google Research Blog
• Rigetti: 99.5% Gate Fidelity on 36-Qubit System (July 2025)
  Demonstrated industry-leading 2-qubit gate fidelity, halving error rates compared to previous systems. Rigetti Investor Relations
• Harvard: Metasurface Quantum Chip (July 2025)
  Developed an ultra-thin metasurface that replaces bulky quantum optical setups, enabling scalable quantum photonics. Harvard SEAS Announcement
• Amaravati Quantum Valley Initiative (June 2025)
  India announced its first quantum computing center in Amaravati, backed by IBM, TCS, and the National Quantum Mission. The Hindu / Government Order
• SuperQ Quantum Hub in Alberta (July 2025)
  Canada's first publicly accessible quantum computing hub launched in Lethbridge, integrating classical and quantum systems. SuperQ Press Release
• IBM: Starling Roadmap to Fault-Tolerant Quantum (June 2025)
  Announced plans for a 200-logical-qubit system by 2029, with modular architecture and scalable error correction. IBM Newsroom
• ICQE 2025 Conference (June 2025)
  Held in Padua, Italy, spotlighting quantum's role in energy systems, sustainability, and materials science. University of Padua ICQE Portal
• USC: “Neglecton” Discovery (August 2025)
  Mathematicians revealed a new particle that enables universal quantum computation using Ising anyons. USC News

Together, these breakthroughs in such a short amount of time reflect a global acceleration in quantum computing, spanning hardware fidelity, scalable architectures, and national-level infrastructure. From academic labs to enterprise deployments, the field is transitioning from experimental prototypes to operational systems with defined roadmaps.