This November 13, the Ruby and Jade quantum computers are being jointly inaugurated at a triple event organized at FZJ, CEA and the European Commission's premises, illustrating the collaborative nature of the project. Jade and Ruby, installed respectively at FZJ (Germany) and at the Très Grand Centre de calcul du CEA (TGCC, France), are presented there.
Hardware integration: quantum computing capabilities for HPC infrastructure
The integration of this new type of computer represents a significant step forward in the transformation of quantum technologies, which are now moving out of the laboratory and into production computing infrastructures. This key step towards a federated infrastructure combining high-performance computing and quantum computing enables industrial and academic users to develop hybrid quantum-classical algorithms, understood classically in the sense of HPC numerical simulation, to solve complex problems such as:
- the design of industrial batteries,
- the search for new drugs,
- or optimization in the fields of finance and traffic management.
These quantum processors, Quantum Processing Units (QPUs), were manufactured by French companyPasqal before being delivered and assembled at the CEA and FZJ computing centers. Pasqal's technology is based on arrays of neutral atoms trapped and manipulated by laser beams according to precise lattice structures. The combination of optical precision and the natural uniformity of the atoms creates a unique platform designed for industrial-scale quantum computing. These systems operate at room temperature and consume little power, making them particularly robust and scalable.
Software and connectivity: seamless integration between quantum and classical
Beyond hardware assembly, the project also focuses on creating a seamless workflow between quantum and classical computing through advanced software solutions.
Quantum processors are integrated into the HPC environment via standard resource management systems such as SLURM, enabling the execution of hybrid quantum-classical algorithms with familiar commands. As a result, researchers and HPC operators can harness the power of quantum computing with a minimum of adaptation, making this new type of machine a natural extension of infrastructures already in place.
A specific HPC-quantum software stack has been developed by the consortium, based on industrial and open-source components, including Eviden QaptivaTM, ParTec's ParaStation Modulo, Slurm, and Pasqal's SDK. This software stack is interoperable with Eviden's QaptivaTM and myQLM platforms, and supports applications in optimization, simulation and machine learning (machine learning).
By bridging the gap between quantum physics and applied computing, the HPCQS infrastructure paves the way for the direct integration of quantum resources into industrial workflows.
A European lead in quantum computing
As part of this inauguration, two use cases are presented to illustrate the integration of quantum processors - each capable of controlling more than 100 qubits - with Europe's Tier-0 level supercomputers Joliot Curie from GENCI and JURECA from FZJ. These demonstrations, led by research teams from the consortium, show how HPC-quantum integration can accelerate scientific discovery and industrial innovation.
This milestone is a cornerstone of the European Quantum Flagship initiative, strengthening Europe's leadership and technological sovereignty in quantum computing.
Quotations
GENCI
"In a context of international competition around critical technologies, the joint inauguration of Ruby in France and Jade in Germany attests to the strong position of France and Europe in this quantum race against the clock. The commissioning of the cold atom quantum computer produced by the French company Pasqal is a source of pride for GENCI and its partners. This cutting-edge tool was acquired as part of the European HPCQS project, with the support of the French public authorities, in line with the national quantum strategy and the HQI project, which enables the hybridization of quantum and classical technologies. This major effort should lead to new advances in French and European scientific, academic and industrial research," said Philippe Lavocat, CEO of GENCI
CEA
"CEA is very proud to host one of the first two Pasqal computers delivered and operated in an HPC computing center. Thanks to this step, TGCC users and European scientific communities will be able, after three years of experimentation with emulators, to use real quantum computers for their use cases. This is a first step towards large-scale hybrid computing, which we will achieve with the integration of quantum processors with the exascale supercomputer Alice Recoque" said Bruno Lebret, Director of CEA DAM Île-de-France.
About
CEA
CEA is a public research organization whose role is to inform public decision-making and provide French and European companies, as well as 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, as well as 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.
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 highperformance 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 establishment of an integrated ecosystem on a national and European scale
- Promote digital simulation through supercomputing 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.
HPCQS
The High-Performance Computing Quantum Simulator hybrid (HPCQS) project is part of the Quantum Flagship initiative and brings together leading research centers and industrial partners from across Europe to advance hybrid quantum-classical computing.
The aim of the HPCQS project is to build a federated hybrid HPC-quantum infrastructure, by directly integrating Pasqal's quantum simulators with leading European HPC centers such as CEA and FZJ.
The HPCQS project is funded by the European Joint Undertaking for High-Performance Computing (JU - Joint Undertaking). This joint venture is supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, as well as Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, Austria and Spain, in equal shares.
To read and download the full press release, go to here