The Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC) has acquired a 5-qubit quantum system, the IQM Spark, from IQM Quantum Computers. The system is set to go into operation in July 2024 as part of Jülich’s JUNIQ quantum computing infrastructure and will be connected to JSC’s classical supercomputers. This will allow researchers to explore how quantum computers can accelerate calculations on classical supercomputers.
The IQM Spark, costing less than €1 million, is designed for basic experiments and applications in teaching at universities and research institutes. It generates quantum bits, or qubits, using superconducting electronic resonant circuits, which must be cooled to near absolute zero to preserve the sensitive quantum properties.
The system will be operated as part of the JUNIQ infrastructure, providing science and industry in Germany and Europe with access to state-of-the-art quantum computers. The IQM Spark has numerous expansion and connection possibilities, making it a perfect fit for Jülich’s JUNIQ concept, which aims to operate quantum computers in conjunction with classical supercomputers in a quantum-classical hybrid computing system.
IQM has previously deployed on-premises systems to some universities and research institutions, including the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre in Germany and the VTT Technical Research Centre in Finland.
March 25, 2024