French quantum computing company Pasqal has delivered a 100 qubit quantum computer to Germany’s Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC) at Forschungszentrum Jülich.

As part of the HPCQS (High-Performance Computer and Quantum Simulator) project from the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU), the new quantum computer will be coupled with the JURECA DC supercomputer at JSC, providing European researchers with access to hybrid classical-quantum resources.

The HPCQS initiative aims to advance the integration of quantum systems with the European supercomputing infrastructure. Supported by the EuroHPC JU and six European countries – Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, the project aims to support applications across a range of fields, including drug design, supply chain management, wireless network design, intelligent charging of autonomous cars, financial, trading, and cybersecurity.

The first HPCQS quantum computer was delivered to the French supercomputing center GENCI/CEA four months ago and will be integrated with the supercomputer Joliot Curie. In September, DCD exclusively reported that GENCI is set to retire its Joliot-Curie supercomputer once its Alice Recoque exascale machine comes online.

Commenting on the delivery of the quantum computer, Dr. Georges-Olivier Reymond, CEO and co-founder of Pasqal said: “Our partnership with Forschungszentrum Jülich and the resulting coupling of our QPU with the JURECA DC supercomputer is a unique opportunity to drive innovation in fields such as materials science, drug discovery, and artificial intelligence through the work of European researchers. It is also creating the framework for the private sector to explore and perfect industrial use cases while having access to the latest quantum and high-performance computing technology.”

Anders Jensen, EuroHPC JU executive director added: “I am thrilled to welcome the second HPCQS quantum computer—a major step forward in empowering European users to develop groundbreaking algorithms and applications by combining quantum and classical HPC resources.”

Founded in 2019, Pasqal says its ‘neutral atom-based quantum technology’ can operate at room temperature, compared to many quantum technologies that require supercooling.

In May 2024, the company partnered with Saudi oil company Aramco to install the first quantum computer in Saudi Arabia.