Pasqal Delivers Italy’s First 140-Qubit Neutral Atom Quantum Computer
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Pasqal has delivered Italy’s first 140-qubit neutral atom quantum computer to CINECA at the DAMA Technopole, bolstering Europe’s growing hybrid high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. Funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research and the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, the state-of-the-art device will integrate with the Leonardo pre-exascale supercomputer, enabling researchers to tackle complex challenges in fields like materials science and machine learning. “Thanks to the clear strategic vision of the Ministry of University and Research…Italy can now claim to be at the forefront of advanced computing capabilities at global level,” said Antonio Zoccoli, President of the ICSC Research Center. This installation marks a significant step towards Europe’s ambition of fostering hybrid computing systems and reinforces Pasqal’s position as a key leader in quantum technology. Pasqal Delivers 140-Qubit Neutral Atom Quantum Computer to Italy This installation isn’t simply about adding more qubits to the European landscape, but about strategically positioning Italy as a key innovator in artificial intelligence and supercomputing on a global scale, an ambition years in the making. The system’s location at the DAMA Emilia-Romagna Technopole in Bologna is no accident, designed for seamless integration with the Leonardo pre-exascale EuroHPC supercomputer—one of the world’s most powerful platforms. This deliberate architectural choice will allow researchers to offload computationally intensive tasks, like complex optimization problems and advanced materials simulations, to the quantum processing unit (QPU) while leveraging Leonardo’s classical processing power for broader data handling. This hybrid approach is central to Europe’s broader plan to create a sovereign infrastructure capable of tackling increasingly complex scientific and industrial challenges. Pasqal’s delivery solidifies its position as a leading provider of European quantum computing infrastructure, already operating quantum devices in France and Germany under the EuroHPC JU project. This Italian installation brings the total number of quantum computers powered by Pasqal under the EuroHPC JU umbrella to three, out of a total of eight being deployed across the Union. Loïc Henriet, CEO at Pasqal, emphasized the significance of this achievement: “The delivery of this QPU to CINECA is a new milestone for European quantum computing.” He further explained, “By coupling our neutral atom quantum technology with Leonardo, CINECA is enabling researchers to explore computational frontiers that were previously out of reach. This deployment further reinforces Pasqal’s role as a strategic actor to deliver Europe’s hybrid HPC–quantum federated infrastructure in the ground.” The full integration of the system is anticipated in the coming months, promising to unlock new computational capabilities for both the academic and industrial research communities. EuroHPC & ICSC Co-Fund European Hybrid Computing Infrastructure The landscape of high-performance computing in Europe is rapidly evolving, moving beyond traditional supercomputers to embrace a hybrid approach integrating quantum processing units (QPUs). This shift isn’t merely about adding quantum capability; it’s about creating a fundamentally new infrastructure capable of tackling problems currently intractable for even the most powerful classical machines. The strategic importance of this collaboration extends beyond simply increasing computational power. The system is specifically engineered for tight integration with Leonardo, allowing for seamless workload offloading from the classical supercomputer to the quantum processor for specialized tasks like complex optimization, materials simulation, and machine learning. This integration is anticipated to become fully operational in the coming months, providing a valuable resource for both academic and industrial researchers. This Italian deployment isn’t an isolated event; it’s part of a larger European initiative to foster the adoption of hybrid computing systems.
Leonardo Supercomputer Integrates with New Quantum Processing Unit The arrival of a 140-qubit neutral atom quantum computer at CINECA’s DAMA Emilia-Romagna Technopole in Bologna marks a pivotal moment for European high-performance computing, spearheaded by Pasqal. This hybrid architecture represents a significant shift in tackling previously intractable problems, leveraging the strengths of both classical and quantum computing. Pasqal’s involvement extends beyond this single deployment; the company already operates quantum devices at CEA/GENCI in France and Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) in Germany, powering three of the eight quantum computers procured under the EuroHPC JU initiative.
Pasqal Powers Three of Eight EuroHPC Quantum Computers This Italian installation isn’t merely a national achievement; it’s a key component of a larger European strategy to establish a sovereign infrastructure for advanced computing. The system’s design prioritizes tight integration with Leonardo, promising a powerful synergy between classical and quantum resources. This will allow the national scientific community and industry to access resources that will “strengthen their competitiveness and be a useful tool for sustainable growth,” according to Zoccoli. The integrated system is expected to be fully operational and accessible to researchers in the coming months, offering a diverse and complementary range of quantum technologies alongside existing European supercomputing resources. By coupling our neutral atom quantum technology with Leonardo, CINECA is enabling researchers to explore computational frontiers that were previously out of reach. Loïc Henriet, CEO at Pasqal Source: https://www.pasqal.com/newsroom/pasqal-delivers-italys-first-neutral-atom-quantum-computer/ Tags: