Two quantum simulators for HPCQS

Quantum simulation is the study of quantum systems that cannot be studied under laboratory conditions and cannot be simulated using supercomputers. A quantum simulator is itself a kind of quantum computer – but less flexible than a universally programmable quantum computer and suitable only for specific problems. The known, controllable system of a quantum simulator is used to mimic another, usually more complex quantum system. Copyright: PASQAL

Forschungszentrum Jülich, member of the Helmholtz Research Field Information, and GENCI launch HPCQS, a European platform for hybrid high-performance computing and quantum computing, with two 100-qubit quantum simulators from PASQAL. (Source: Forschungszentrum Jülich – Press releases)

HPCQS (“High-Performance Computer and Quantum Simulator hybrid”) is a four-year pilot project to develop, deploy and coordinate a cloud-based European infrastructure. Launched in December 2021, the project is coordinated by the Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC). It is supported by the EuroHPC JU (European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking) and six European countries: Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain.

In the first phase of HPCQS, two quantum simulators, each with more than 100 qubits, will be integrated into two supercomputing infrastructures: the GENCI-funded JOLIOT CURIE supercomputer at the CEA/TGCC supercomputing center south of Paris and the JUWELS modular supercomputer at the JSC in Jülich. The tight integration of quantum hardware into classical computer architectures – and thus the formation of a hybrid system – is a major milestone in harnessing the power of quantum computers for initial practical applications. In addition, HPCQS will develop and provide a comprehensive and hardware-independent programming environment for end users, for quantum computing and hybrid applications.

To achieve these goals, GENCI and Forschungszentrum Jülich – with the support of EuroHPC JU – launched a joint procedure based on a PPI (Public Procurement of Innovative Solutions) between December 2021 and May 2022 to acquire two quantum simulators capable of controlling at least 100 qubits. The analog Fresnel quantum simulator from PASQAL, a French start-up company, was selected. Fresnel systems are based on the technology of cold neutral atoms (rubidium) arranged in 2D/3D arrays. These are excited using laser-based optical tweezers to achieve so-called Rydberg states.

The two quantum simulators will each be coupled to one of the two supercomputers in France and Jülich and serve as quantum accelerators for specific tasks: Optimization, Quantum Chemistry and Machine Learning. The two Fresnel quantum simulators will be installed at CEA/TGCC and JSC in the second half of 2023.

In the meantime, PASQAL will provide remote access to the in-house Fresnel system to drive HPCQS activities toward the adoption of a full hybrid software stack. This will include cloud access, resource management for hybrid workloads, tools and libraries, including benchmarking and certification and performance analysis.

Users can thus help design prototype applications for machine learning and scientific simulations, with algorithms such as VQE (Variational Quantum Eigensolver) and QAOA (Quantum Approximate Optimisation Algorithm).

HPCQS is the ideal continuation of the plans and activities on hybrid quantum HPC computing that we started in Germany with JUNIQ – on a European level together with our excellent partners. With HPCQS, we are the first in the world to realize the tight integration of HPC and quantum computing based on modular supercomputing and to bring Europe to the forefront of research with this innovative technology, says Prof. Thomas Lippert, Director of the Jülich Supercomputing Centre and spokesperson of Program 1: “Engineering Digital Futures” of the Helmholtz Research Field Information.

About HPCQS

HPCQS is an open and evolutionary infrastructure that will be extended in the future by including a variety of quantum computing platforms at different technological readiness levels and by integrating other European quantum nodes. The HPCQS infrastructure represents a second step after the Jülich UNified Infrastructure for Quantum computing (JUNIQ) towards a European infrastructure for quantum computing and simulation (EuroQCS), as advocated in the European Quantum Flagship Strategic Research Agenda.

The original press release can be found at: 

Zwei Quantensimulatoren für HPCQS (only in german)

Localization in the Helmholtz Research Field Information:

Helmholtz Research Field Information, Program 1: Engineering Digital Futures, Topic 1: Enabling Computational- & Data-Intensive Science and Engineering

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Kirstel Michielsen
Head of the Quantum Information Processing group at JSC
Phone: +49 2461/61-2524
E-Mail: k.michielsen@fz-juelich.de

Contact for this press release:

Dr. Regine Panknin
Corporate Communications
Forschungszentrum Jülich
Phone: +49 2461 61-9054
E-Mail: r.panknin@fz-juelich.de