Germany unveils JION quantum computer - interestingengineering.com

JION the trapped ion quantum computer built in Germany.Sichtplan/Fz German startup eleQtron has unveiled JION, a trapped-ion computer that can be controlled using indigenously developed magnetic gradient-induced coupling (MAGIC) technology. The quantum computer was developed as part of the EPIQ project funded by the local government of the region of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). It will be connected to the high-performance computing infrastructure at the Jülich Supercomputing Center (JSC). Quantum computers are the future of computing and hold the promise of solving problems like climate change, drug discovery, and clean energy. We just have a little problem to solve first: getting quantum computers to work at scale so that researchers can use them to tackle the larger issues. Interesting Engineering has extensively reported on the different approaches to building quantum computers and how research institutes and startups are both pursuing the same holy grail. Amidst all this, Germany’s approach is a bit unique. Research institutes and startups are busy building different quantum computers. Still, they will all be plugged into the high-performance computing network at JSC to make it available for a broad group of users. JION is the latest addition. What is JION? JION is short for Jülich trapped-ion quantum computer and uses ionized ytterbium (a rare-earth chemical element) atoms as its qubits. These atoms are held inside a vacuum using electromagnetic fields and controlled using magnetic gradient-induced coupling (MAGIC) technology. In this approach, microwaves and deliberately generated variations in a magnetic field allow the qubits to be controlled individually and connected directly to each other.More from InnovationSee AllInnovationWater-jet guided laser cuts high-temperature alloys with 99% less heat damageInnovationScientists develop hidden color-changing material to protect banknotes and passportsInnovationSurface roughness creates false signals in nanoscale battery analysis, study showsInnovationChina’s chip giant AMEC launches 6 new machines to boost semiconductor productionInnovationHyundai targets 2.7 million metric tons of steel production with US plant launch A qubit is the basic unit of information in quantum computing, similar to the classical bit in standard computing. A major advantage of this system over superconducting qubits is that it does not require temperatures close to absolute zero to operate. This makes it easy to operate and scale the system, a necessity for large-scale quantum computing. The project was launched as a partnership between the JSC and Siegen-based eleQtron in 2024 and supported with a € 21 million (US$24.39 million) from the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and is planned to become part of JUNIQ, the modular supercomputer architecture at the JSC. Next steps “With JION, we are bringing together a quantum computer developed in North Rhine-Westphalia with our high-performance supercomputing infrastructure here at Jülich,” said Prof. Astrid Lambrecht, Chair of the Board of Directors at Forschungszentrum Jülich, in a press release. “In doing so, we are creating the conditions for combining quantum computing and high-performance computing, allowing us to use quantum computing to address specific problems in research and industry.” At the recent inauguration, JION became part of Jülich UNified Infrastructure for Quantum computing (JUNIQ), which provides access to various quantum systems connected to JSC’s high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. JUNIQ helps classical supercomputers offload certain operational workloads to quantum systems at the JSC. This allows researchers and companies to use hybrid quantum-HPC computing workflows. New additions like JION thus become more than just technology demonstrators and strengthen JSC as the center for integrating and benchmarking new quantum computing technologies. During JION’s unveiling. NRW also announced SQALING (scalable quantum computing), where eleQtron will receive €25 million (US$ 29 million) from EU funds and be used to further develop its MAGIC technology for a scalable chip-based quantum computing platform that the industry could use. Another 25 million (US$ 29 million) of funding was also announced for Q-STAR, a project that is looking to integrate scalable semiconductor-based quantum computing into JUNIQ, with a special focus on strengthening research, industrial collaboration and structural changes in the Rhenish mining area. Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Sign up for freeBy subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and PoliciesYou may unsubscribe at any time.0COMMENTSubscribe toToday!Access to exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.Explore Now!ByAmeya PalejaAmeya is a science writer based in Hyderabad, India. A Molecular Biologist at heart, he traded the micropipette to write about science during the pandemic and does not want to go back. He likes to write about genetics, microbes, technology, and public policy.TRENDINGLATEST1China begins construction of Hualong One nuclear reactor with 666-foot-tall cooling tower2New iron strategy lifts sodium batteries to 206 Wh/kg with 87.8% retention rate3China neighbor could soon develop unguided, laser-guided Thales’ 70-mm rocket systems4World’s largest cruise vessels' key needs can be fulfilled with proven propulsion system's upgrade5China's chip giant AMEC launches 6 new machines to boost semiconductor productionJION the trapped ion quantum computer built in Germany.Sichtplan/Fz German startup eleQtron has unveiled JION, a trapped-ion computer that can be controlled using indigenously developed magnetic gradient-induced coupling (MAGIC) technology. The quantum computer was developed as part of the EPIQ project funded by the local government of the region of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). It will be connected to the high-performance computing infrastructure at the Jülich Supercomputing Center (JSC). Quantum computers are the future of computing and hold the promise of solving problems like climate change, drug discovery, and clean energy. We just have a little problem to solve first: getting quantum computers to work at scale so that researchers can use them to tackle the larger issues. Interesting Engineering has extensively reported on the different approaches to building quantum computers and how research institutes and startups are both pursuing the same holy grail. Amidst all this, Germany’s approach is a bit unique. Research institutes and startups are busy building different quantum computers. Still, they will all be plugged into the high-performance computing network at JSC to make it available for a broad group of users. JION is the latest addition. What is JION? JION is short for Jülich trapped-ion quantum computer and uses ionized ytterbium (a rare-earth chemical element) atoms as its qubits. These atoms are held inside a vacuum using electromagnetic fields and controlled using magnetic gradient-induced coupling (MAGIC) technology. In this approach, microwaves and deliberately generated variations in a magnetic field allow the qubits to be controlled individually and connected directly to each other.More from InnovationSee AllInnovationWater-jet guided laser cuts high-temperature alloys with 99% less heat damageInnovationScientists develop hidden color-changing material to protect banknotes and passportsInnovationSurface roughness creates false signals in nanoscale battery analysis, study showsInnovationChina’s chip giant AMEC launches 6 new machines to boost semiconductor productionInnovationHyundai targets 2.7 million metric tons of steel production with US plant launch A qubit is the basic unit of information in quantum computing, similar to the classical bit in standard computing. A major advantage of this system over superconducting qubits is that it does not require temperatures close to absolute zero to operate. This makes it easy to operate and scale the system, a necessity for large-scale quantum computing. The project was launched as a partnership between the JSC and Siegen-based eleQtron in 2024 and supported with a € 21 million (US$24.39 million) from the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and is planned to become part of JUNIQ, the modular supercomputer architecture at the JSC. Next steps “With JION, we are bringing together a quantum computer developed in North Rhine-Westphalia with our high-performance supercomputing infrastructure here at Jülich,” said Prof. Astrid Lambrecht, Chair of the Board of Directors at Forschungszentrum Jülich, in a press release. “In doing so, we are creating the conditions for combining quantum computing and high-performance computing, allowing us to use quantum computing to address specific problems in research and industry.” At the recent inauguration, JION became part of Jülich UNified Infrastructure for Quantum computing (JUNIQ), which provides access to various quantum systems connected to JSC’s high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. JUNIQ helps classical supercomputers offload certain operational workloads to quantum systems at the JSC. This allows researchers and companies to use hybrid quantum-HPC computing workflows. New additions like JION thus become more than just technology demonstrators and strengthen JSC as the center for integrating and benchmarking new quantum computing technologies. During JION’s unveiling. NRW also announced SQALING (scalable quantum computing), where eleQtron will receive €25 million (US$ 29 million) from EU funds and be used to further develop its MAGIC technology for a scalable chip-based quantum computing platform that the industry could use. Another 25 million (US$ 29 million) of funding was also announced for Q-STAR, a project that is looking to integrate scalable semiconductor-based quantum computing into JUNIQ, with a special focus on strengthening research, industrial collaboration and structural changes in the Rhenish mining area. Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Sign up for freeBy subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and PoliciesYou may unsubscribe at any time.0COMMENTSubscribe toToday!Access to exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.Explore Now!ByAmeya PalejaAmeya is a science writer based in Hyderabad, India. A Molecular Biologist at heart, he traded the micropipette to write about science during the pandemic and does not want to go back. He likes to write about genetics, microbes, technology, and public policy.TRENDINGLATEST1China begins construction of Hualong One nuclear reactor with 666-foot-tall cooling tower2New iron strategy lifts sodium batteries to 206 Wh/kg with 87.8% retention rate3China neighbor could soon develop unguided, laser-guided Thales’ 70-mm rocket systems4World’s largest cruise vessels' key needs can be fulfilled with proven propulsion system's upgrade5China's chip giant AMEC launches 6 new machines to boost semiconductor production