Q-CTRL launches Black Opal Pro on World Quantum Day

SYDNEY, April 14, 2022 – Q-CTRL, a global leader in developing useful quantum technologies through quantum control infrastructure software, today released Black Opal Pro, an upgraded and expanded version of its world-first interactive quantum computing learning platform. Black Opal Pro adds new modules and features to the basic version announced in November 2021, which already has 3,000 registered users.

Today’s announcement arrives on World Quantum Day, an international initiative dedicated to promoting the public understanding of quantum science and technology around the world. In honor of World Quantum Day, Q-CTRL will be offering two Black Opal Pro annual subscriptions for the price of one from April 14-20. 

Black Opal serves to build the quantum technology community by allowing anyone to learn quantum computing in minutes a day, irrespective of their backgrounds. It supports engineers and developers wanting to enter the field as well as analysts, consultants, investors, and public servants who are seeking to understand how this technology will disrupt their industries.

“Black Opal is an ideal tool to help users build real intuition for a field many have heard of, but few truly understand,” said Q-CTRL Founder and CEO Professor Michael J. Biercuk. “We see that building and supporting a community is essential for the success of the quantum industry where our team leads global innovations. We need educated and empowered future team members, investors, and policymakers who can really understand the opportunity that quantum computing presents. With Black Opal, we combined our expertise in quantum computing with our prowess in product design to help anyone go from zero background to programming quantum computers.” 

Accessible on any browser, Black Opal reduces the barrier to entry into the complex and fast-growing field of quantum computing by allowing users to complete modular, hands-on tasks. It’s a highly intuitive, modern learning platform that leverages visualization, interactivity and animation, so anyone can learn quantum computing. Black Opal users are also invited to join an existing online community that presents them with the opportunity to engage with fellow learners.

Black Opal aligns with the goals of major governments, national science foundations, academic institutions and companies around the world regarding the need to attract and train a new quantum workforce.  In February 2022, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s (OSTP) National Quantum Coordination Office (NQCO) and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) released the National Strategic Plan for Quantum Information Science and Technology Workforce Development, which recommends a series of actions and community opportunities to grow the quantum workforce through expanded training and education at all levels, including early K-12 education and outreach. This effort directly identifies the need for quantum education to expand the quantum workforce. 

Available as an annual subscription at only $9.99 per month, Black Opal Pro delivers content built by true global leaders in quantum technology at a price point much more accessible than university courses. The platform allows users to now tackle intermediate and advanced skills, taking them through reading and interpreting quantum circuits, understanding the “spooky” quantum concept of entanglement, composing algorithms, and even writing code to program real quantum computers.  

Users earn shareable skills badges, and can practice the skills they’ve learned in freeform circuit and coding sandboxes. Q-CTRL’s basic version of Black Opal remains free and allows users to build intuition for the fundamentals of quantum information. All features of the basic version are included in Black Opal Pro.

“The Tech Council of Australia is dedicated to supporting the growth of Australia’s technology industry, with a goal to contribute $250bn to GDP from tech-related activity by 2030,” said Tech Council of Australia CEO Kate Pounder. “Q-CTRL's Black Opal is a perfect example of how the local tech sector can contribute to this mission. Combining modern software product design with the team's world leading depth of expertise in quantum computing has delivered a real solution that can give Australian businesses a leading edge. We're excited for this product to become a pioneering effort in how the tech industry can help lift the resilience and diversity of the broader Australian economy.”

Based on the laws of physics at the tiniest sizes, quantum computing is projected to transform our world by allowing us to solve problems that were previously impossible across fields - from medicine and chemistry to finance, AI, and more. This potential is estimated at up to $850 billion per year by the Boston Consulting Group. Ideal for anyone aged 16 and older, Black Opal was designed by Q-CTRL’s team of quantum computing experts to make learning quantum computing fun and interactive.

For more information or to purchase a Black Opal Pro subscription click here. To learn more about Q-CTRL, visit q-ctrl.com.

About Q-CTRL
Q-CTRL is building the quantum technology industry by overcoming the fundamental challenge in the field – hardware error and instability. Q-CTRL’s quantum control infrastructure software for R&D professionals and quantum computing end users delivers the highest performance error-correcting and suppressing techniques globally, and provides a unique capability accelerating the pathway to the first useful quantum computers. This foundational technology also applies to a new generation of quantum sensors, and enables Q-CTRL to shape and underpin every application of quantum technology.

Q-CTRL has assembled the world’s foremost team of expert quantum-control engineers, providing solutions to many of the most advanced quantum computing and sensing teams globally. Q-CTRL has been an inaugural member of the IBM Quantum Startup network since 2018, and recently announced a partnership with Transport for NSW, delivering its enterprise infrastructure software to transport data scientists exploring quantum computing. Q-CTRL is funded by SquarePeg Capital, Sierra Ventures, Sequoia Capital China, Data Collective, Horizons Ventures, Main Sequence Ventures, In-Q-Tel, Airbus Ventures, and Ridgeline Partners. The company has international headquarters in Sydney, Los Angeles, and Berlin.