Lucy, inaugurated today by the French Minister for Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Economy, Anne Le Hénanff, is the world's most powerful quantum computer based on photonic technology. It is now coupled to GENCI's Joliot-Curie supercomputer, hosted and operated by the CEA at the TGCC. This architecture, known as "HPC-Quantique", combines the classical computing power of HPC with quantum processors, acting as gas pedals to solve complex problems. This coupling is at the heart of Europe's strategy to explore the potential of quantum computing. The machine will be very soon freely available to the European academic and industrial communities for research projects in logistics network optimization, machine learning, simulation of new materials, or the discovery of therapeutic molecules, for example.
A sovereign quantum capability at the heart of the CCGT
Lucy is manufactured by the Franco-European consortium formed by Quandela and attocube, illustrating a structuring Franco-German industrial cooperation for the European quantum industry. Manufactured on the production lines of Quandela, based in Massy (91), it enhances the existing range of computing resources available to the TGCC. Acquired by EuroHPC as part of the EuroQCS-France consortium via GENCI, this system is based exclusively on European technology bricks. Its deployment as part of the national quantum strategy (as part of the Hybrid Quantum Infrastructure program funded by the France 2030 investment plan) underlines the dynamism and expertise of French players and supports the competitiveness of the European ecosystem.
Photonics: a path to industrial credibility
Photonics technology, which uses light as a medium for quantum information, is a path identified as one of the most promising for industrial scale-up. Unlike systems requiring temperatures close to absolute zero for their processors, photonics enables easier handling of qubits and easier integration into existing data center infrastructures.
Anne-Isabelle Etienvre, Administrator General of the CEA: "With Lucy, the CEA is once again showing a concrete translation of its historic commitment to quantum. From the first qubits of our fundamental research teams - an excellence recently rewarded at the highest level - to the exploration of the connection of quantum machines with classical supercomputers at the TGCC, we are demonstrating the contribution of our integrated research model from fundamental to application. This continuity enables us to transform a technological breakthrough into a sovereign tool. Lucy is now at the service of research teams as well as the entire European scientific and industrial ecosystem to explore new computing horizons."
Michaël Krajecki, CEO of GENCI: "With Lucy, EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, CEA and GENCI offer European and French scientific and industrial communities a unique, hybrid and sovereign quantum computing capability. Accessible free of charge, Lucy becomes a cutting-edge sovereign asset for research and innovation. Thanks to Quandela's photonic technology, housed at the TGCC, the transition to the industrial scale of the quantum era has never seemed so close. This is a major milestone for France and for Europe".
Niccolo Somaschi, co-founder and CEO of Quandela :"With Lucy, we are taking a major step towards the industrialization of photonic quantum computing in Europe. Its installation at the TGCC and its coupling to the Joliot-Curie supercomputer are a concrete illustration of our ambition: to bring about the emergence of a sovereign, high-performance quantum capability that is accessible to researchers and industry alike. This project is also the fruit of close cooperation with our German partner attocube, and fully embodies the Franco-German dynamic in the service of European technological sovereignty. This inauguration demonstrates that cutting-edge quantum technologies, designed and produced in Europe, can today be integrated into the most advanced computing infrastructures to meet high-impact scientific and industrial use cases."
Anders Jensen, Executive Director of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU): "Lucy is EuroHPC's fourth quantum computer to be inaugurated. It brings new quantum capabilities to the European high-performance computing ecosystem, and marks a new milestone for our technological sovereignty. By combining quantum computing and supercomputing, the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking enables researchers and companies to tackle complex challenges and open up new prospects for innovation in strategic sectors. "
About the CEA
The CEA is a public research organization whose role is to inform public decision-making and provide French and European companies and local authorities with the scientific and technological resources to better master four major societal changes: the energy transition, the digital transition, the health of the future, and defense and global security. Its raison d'être is to act to ensure that France and Europe enjoy scientific, technological and industrial leadership, as well as a better-controlled and safer present and future for all.
For more information: www.cea.fr
About GENCI
Created by the public authorities in 2007, GENCI (Grand Équipement National de Calcul Intensif) is a major research infrastructure, a public operator aiming to democratize the use of digital simulation through high-performance computing associated with the use of artificial intelligence and quantum computing to support French scientific and industrial competitiveness.
GENCI pursues three missions:
- Implement the national strategy of equipping France with high-performance computing, storage and massive data processing resources associated with AI (Artificial Intelligence) technologies and future quantum computing technologies for the benefit of French and European open scientific research, drawing on the three national computing centers;
- Support the development of an integrated ecosystem on a national and European scale
- Promote digital simulation through HPC among academic and industrial teams practicing open research.
GENCI is a civil company owned 49% by the French State represented by the Ministry in charge of Higher Education, Research and Space, 20% by CEA, 20% by CNRS, 10% by the Universities represented by France Universités and 1% by Inria.
About Quandela
Quandela is a leading quantum computing company that designs, builds and delivers cutting-edge quantum solutions for industry: ready-to-use quantum computers for datacenters, quantum processors accessible via the cloud, and algorithm access services for industrial customers. Quandela is committed to making quantum computing accessible to all in order to tackle the most complex industrial and societal challenges.
Discover our vision on www.quandela.com
Press Contacts
CEA | Guilhem BOYER | guilhem.boyer@cea.fr | 06 73 41 42 45
GENCI | Nicolas Belot | nicolas.belot@genci.fr | 07 60 99 95 10
Quandela | Agence Maarc Iva BAYTCHEVA | iva.baytcheva@maarc.fr | 06 28 59 07 03
Charles COURBET | charles.courbet@maarc.fr | 06 28 93 03 06
- Replaced in 2027 by Alice Recoque, the European exaflop computer that will combine HPC, AI and quantum for the academic and industrial community.