LUMI Q
In the Czech Republic, Europe Unveils VLQ, a New 24-Qubit Superconducting Quantum Computer
The VLQ quantum computer was formally opened by the LUMI Q collaboration at the IT4Innovations National Supercomputing Center, marking a major step forward for European technological sovereignty. As the second quantum computer to be installed in Europe under the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU), this potent 24-qubit superconducting machine represents a significant milestone.
The European Commission’s Gustav Kalbe, EuroHPC JU Executive Director Anders Jensen, Czech government officials, university rectors, and representatives from IQM Quantum Computers and the LUMI Q consortium were among the notable guests who attended the inauguration ceremony at IT4Innovations, which is a part of VSB Technical University of Ostrava.
Anders Jensen declared, “Europe is taking another significant step towards deploying a world-class European quantum computing ecosystem with VLQ.” By combining the strengths of the supercomputers with state-of-the-art quantum technologies, it is giving European users the tools to explore solutions that were previously out of reach.
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A Pan-European Collaboration for a Quantum Future
The LUMI-Q consortium, which consists of thirteen members from eight countries the Czech Republic, which is the consortium’s leader, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden oversaw the procurement and operation of the VLQ system.
The project, which had a total acquisition cost of about EUR 5 million, was jointly funded. The EuroHPC JU provided half of this financing, with the members of the LUMI-Q consortium contributing the other half. This collaboration demonstrates a coordinated European endeavor to construct a state-of-the-art quantum computing infrastructure to support research and innovation throughout the continent.
The name VLQ itself reflects this spirit of collaboration. It is an acronym for:
- V – VSB Technical University of Ostrava, its host institution
- L – LUMI-Q Consortium
- Q – Quantum Computing
Pronounced similarly to the Czech term “vlk,” which means “wolf,” VLQ pays homage to the LUMI supercomputer, which served as the inspiration for the LUMI Q collaboration.
Unique Architecture and Technical Specifications
24 physical, superconducting qubits make up the VLQ system, which was created by IQM Quantum Computers. VLQ’s distinctive star-shaped architecture, which offers complete connectivity between all qubits, sets it apart from rival systems. By reducing the amount of “swap” operations required, this novel architecture greatly improves the efficiency of quantum computations and is a first for a superconducting quantum computer.
The importance of this design was highlighted by IQM Quantum Computers Co-CEO Mikko Välimäki, who said, “The star-shaped quantum processing unit architecture is also the cornerstone in IQM technology roadmap towards fault-tolerance.” “I think the system will be crucial in promoting scientific discoveries and further solidifying Europe’s position at the forefront of technological innovation,” he continued.
The qubits of the quantum computer need to be kept at a temperature that is 0.01 degrees above absolute zero (about –273.14 °C), which is lower than space, in order to operate. A unique cryostat that resembles a shimmering, multi-tiered, about 300 kg gold chandelier is used to accomplish this. The qubits’ sensitive quantum states are so brittle that they could be destroyed by a tiny quantity of heat. The supporting infrastructure of the quantum chip uses more energy than the semiconductor itself, which uses only a few kilowatts. Compared to traditional supercomputers, which can use megawatts, this is still a lot less.
Integration with HPC and Future Applications
The VLQ will not function independently. It is directly connected to the Karolina supercomputer at the Ostrava location and is part of the larger European high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. Researchers can now solve problems of previously unheard-of complexity with this hybrid arrangement, which combines classical and quantum computers.
VLQ will be available to a broad spectrum of users throughout Europe by the end of 2025, including government agencies, businesses, and educational institutions. The coordinator of the LUMI Q collaboration and Director of Supercomputing Services at IT4Innovations, Branislav Jansik, affirmed that the EuroHPC JU will make its capabilities accessible to all European users.
The system is poised to accelerate research and innovation in numerous fields. Potential applications include:
- Quantum machine learning
- Drug and vaccine development
- New material design
- Transport and logistics optimization
- Financial sector modeling
- Performance forecasting for renewable energy
- Security and defense applications
In addition to setting the stage for future innovations that will influence science, technology, and society, this inauguration represents a turning point for Europe.
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