Europe's first IBM quantum computer put into use in Germany

 On the 15th, the IBM quantum computer with 27 qubits built by IBM and the Fraunhofer Association in Germany was officially put into use in Bad Württemberg, Germany. This is currently the most powerful quantum system in Europe. Through cooperation with IBM, Germany has taken a solid step on the road to quantum computing and is expected to grow into a leader in quantum computing research in Europe.


Under the personal promotion of German Chancellor Merkel, the Fraunhofer Association and IBM reached a cooperation agreement in September 2019 to install an IBM Quantum System One in the IBM Computer Center near Stuttgart, Germany. Quantum computer, and cooperate to establish a major hub for quantum computing research in Europe. The German government invested 650 million euros to promote quantum technology from initial research to market applications. This is the first quantum computer in Europe. It allows European researchers to apply the latest quantum computing technology under the EU's strict data regulations.

The IBM Quantum System One has a 27-qubit, 32-quantum IBM Falcon processor. It is not IBM's most advanced quantum computer. At present, IBM's quantum processors cover 5 qubits to 65 qubits. It is expected that IBM will launch the 127-qubit IBM Eagle processor within this year. However, it is IBM's first quantum computer built outside the United States. The quantum system mainly serves the Fraunhofer Society and its partners. Through such cooperation, IBM can attract European scientists to use their own quantum systems to create new application scenarios and carry out early market development.

Germany hopes to improve its level of quantum computing, seize the opportunity in the manufacture and application of quantum computers, rank among the world leaders in the quantum field, and transform scientific research results into economic applications as quickly as possible. At present, researchers in Germany are already actively using this newly launched quantum system, such as focusing on quantum optimization, exploring new simulation methods for energy storage system materials; improving the stability of energy supply infrastructure; and introducing quantum computing to Artificial intelligence research. In addition, German automotive, pharmaceutical, and chemical companies also showed strong interest in this.

German Chancellor Merkel, who attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech via a video connection, said that this quantum computer will be the golden sign of a high-tech country like Germany. She emphasized that Germany is at the forefront of the world in the field of quantum technology research and hopes to maintain this position. It is reported that in order to ensure Germany's advantages in the field of quantum computing, the German government has decided to invest 2 billion euros in the development of quantum technology. The goal is to have at least one powerful quantum computer "Made in Germany" within the next five years. 

Source: Science and Technology Daily

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post