100qbit Quantum Computer Delivered to GENCI, CEA by Pasqal

French quantum computer developer Pasqal has reached a significant milestone by shipping a 100qubit quantum processing unit (QPU) to the GENCI (Grand Équipement National de Calcul Intensif) and CEA computing centre in France. This marks the first time Pasqal has delivered a QPU to a third party, showcasing the company's progress in the High-Performance Computer and Quantum Simulator hybrid (HPCQS) project.

The 100qubit neutral atom QPU from Pasqal will be integrated with GENCI's supercomputer, Joliot-Curie, which is operated by CEA at TGCC. This integration will create a hybrid system that combines classical supercomputing power with quantum capabilities, opening up new possibilities for research and experimentation.

Following a similar development in Germany at the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre with IQM, another QPU is set to be installed at Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) and paired with the JURECA supercomputer. These initiatives are part of a larger effort to establish a pan-European hybrid HPC + quantum computing infrastructure supported by EuroHPC JU and Member States.

The European HPC Joint Undertaking is co-funding the French hybrid quantum computer project, in collaboration with GENCI as part of the French Hybrid HPC Quantum Initiative. This partnership aims to enable European and French researchers to explore hybrid use cases and conduct experiments using real quantum hardware.

Analog quantum computing, a result of the integration between HPC and QC, is well-suited for optimization workloads and simulating physical systems. This technology has practical applications across various industries, including banking, logistics, transportation, and energy grid management, among others.

Philippe Lavocat, CEO of GENCI, expressed enthusiasm about the milestone, stating, "This delivery milestone marks a major first in France towards the commissioning of a cold atom quantum machine soon hybridized with our supercomputer, in the service of science, knowledge, and innovation." Jacques-Charles Lafoucriere, programme director at CEA, highlighted the eagerness of users to leverage Pasqal's Orion system for real computations.

Georges-Olivier Reymond, co-founder and CEO of Pasqal, emphasized the company's commitment to integrating quantum computing into mainstream technology sectors. He stated, "By harnessing the synergies between quantum computing and classical HPC environments, we are paving the way for breakthroughs that were previously beyond reach." The collaboration between CEA, Pasqal, and Eviden aims to enable end-users to program hybrid code and utilize the quantum capabilities of the Pasqal system.