On November 13, the Ruby and Jade quantum computers were jointly inaugurated and revealed during a triple event held simultaneously at FZJ, the CEA, and the European Commission. An event that underlines the collaborative nature of the project. Jade and Ruby are respectively installed at FZJ (Germany) and the CEA's Very Large Computing Center (TGCC, France).
Hardware integration: Quantum computing capabilities for HPC infrastructure
Their integration represents a significant step for transforming quantum technologies, which are now moving from laboratories to production-level computing infrastructures. This key step towards a federated infrastructure combining high-performance and quantum computing enables industrial and academic users to develop hybrid quantum-classical algorithms to solve complex problems such as:
- the design of industrial batteries,
- the discovery of new drugs,
- and optimization in the fields of finance and traffic management.
The Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) were manufactured by the French company Pasqal before being delivered and assembled at the CEA and FZJ computing centers. Pasqal's technology is based on networks of neutral atoms trapped and manipulated by laser beams on precise lattice structures. The combination of optical precision and natural uniformity of atoms creates a unique platform designed for industrial-scale quantum computing. These systems work at room temperature and use little energy, making them particularly robust and scalable.
Software and connectivity: Seamless integration between quantum and classical
Beyond the hardware assembly, the project also emphasizes the creation of a seamless workflow between quantum and classical computing through advanced software solutions.
Quantum processors are integrated into the HPC environment through standard resource management systems such as SLURM, enabling the execution of hybrid quantum-classical algorithms with familiar commands. It allows researchers and HPC operators to harness the power of quantum computing with minimal adaptation, making quantum technologies a natural extension of classical infrastructures.
A specific HPC-quantum software stack has been developed by the consortium, on the basis of industrial and open-source components, including Eviden Qaptiva™, ParTec’s ParaStation Modulo, Slurm, and the Pasqal SDK. This software stack is interoperable with Eviden’s Qaptiva™ and myQLM platforms and supports many applications in the fields of optimization, simulation, and machine learning.
By filling the gap between quantum physics and applied computing, the HPCQS infrastructure will enable the direct integration of quantum resources into industrial workflows.
European leadership in quantum computing
As part of this inauguration, two use cases are being presented to illustrate the integration of quantum processors, each capable of controlling more than 100 qubits, into European
Tier-0 supercomputers. Led by research teams from the consortium, these demonstrations show how HPC and quantum integration can accelerate scientific discovery and industrial innovation.
It is a real cornerstone for the European Quantum Flagship initiative, that reinforces Europe's scientific and technological leadership in the field of quantum computing.
“The CEA is very proud to host one the first two Pasqal computers delivered and operated in an HPC computing centre. With this milestone, TGCC users and European scientific communities will be able, after three years of experiments with emulators, to use real quantum computers for their use cases. This a first step on the road to large scale hybrid computing, which we will achieve with quantum processors integrated with the Alice Recoque exascale supercomputer.”, Bruno Lebret, head of CEA DAM Île-de-France, said.
“In a context of international competition for critical/major 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 time. The commissioning of the cold atom quantum computer produced by the French company Pasqal is a source of pride for GENCI and its Associates. This cutting-edge tool was acquired as part of the European HPCQS project thanks to the support of the French public authorities, in line with the national quantum strategy and the HQI project, which enables the hybridisation of quantum technologies with those of classical computing. All this major effort should lead to new breakthroughs in French and European scientific, academic and industrial research.”, Philippe Lavocat, CEO of GENCI, underlined.