HPC and Quantum Computing: new opportunities

From 1 March 2021, CINECA makes available to researchers of Italian universities and research centers that will participate in the call ISCRA-C, resources on the most advanced and mature quantum computing technologies currently available: D-wave and Pasqal, as well as access to quantum emulators installed on the Marconi100 system.

In support of the scientific community that will use quantum computing resources, Cineca launches the Quantum Computing lab project and, at the same time, the Quantum Computing Technology Observatory for companies.

The Quantum Computing Lab is a new initiative by Cineca with the aim to investigate and develop Quantum Computing tools for information processing and computation. It is a space at the service of the scientific community aimed at sharing information and projects for the use of Quantum Computing for the calculation and processing of information.

The emergence of Quantum Computing (QC) is leading to a radical paradigm shift in the approach to computation exploiting the principles of quantum mechanics. It has the potential to address and solve several classes of problems that cannot be treated with classical techniques with the current supercomputers.

The goals of the project:

• Study, assess and monitor the progress of this state-of-the-art, promising technology fostering interactions between QC experts
• Test the applicability of the numerous quantum devices currently available by developing algorithms capable of addressing problems of great interest, such as optimization, chemical simulations and Machine Learning
• Develop hybrid protocols where Quantum Computing is used as a support and accelerator for Cineca’s HPC Systems
• Facilitate the discussion between universities, research centers and private parties interested in QC applications
• Support research by providing access to computational resources and facilities on the quantum devices available to researchers
• Assist companies in their pivotal efforts to initiate the QC transition
• Stimulate both the HPC and QC communities through a series of conferences, educational courses and technical reports on the usage of the latest QC softwares and hardwares

The Technology Observatory is dedicated to companies that want to understand in depth the changes and opportunities resulting from the development of Quantum Computing technologies. For more info on the Technology Observatory: infoquantmlab@cineca.it.

Learn more about quantum computing, see all the available materials of the CINECA's workshops previous editions.