New Quantum Technology for the LRZ

Recently, approximately 800 kilograms of carefully packaged equipment arrived at the Leibniz Computing Center (LRZ)—including a specialized server cabinet, a laser system, and a computer rack. The shipment was sent by planqc. The Garching-based startup develops quantum technologies based on neutral atoms—and, for the LRZ, a universally programmable quantum computer with approximately 1,000 qubits, which is scheduled to be installed in 2027 at the LRZ’s Quantum Integration Center (QIC).

In this approach, the qubits or compute units are individual atoms — such as strontium. Lasers trap them, control them, and entangle them with one another. The quantum computer operates at room temperature, saving energy by eliminating the need for a cryostat and cooling near absolute zero.

However, laser technology is just as sensitive to noise, humidity, vibrations, and other environmental factors as the innovative quantum processor will be later on. That is why planqc designed a server cabinet that shields the system from all these undesirable stress factors. The included computer system monitors and controls the laser technology and, later on, the quantum computer as well. 

The shipment has now been installed in the QIC’s cleanroom laboratory. It has been connected to the LRZ’s infrastructure and is now being thoroughly tested, pushed to its limits, and further evaluated against various reference values: In this way, the specialists at planqc and the LRZ are ensuring that the universal quantum computer will quickly settle into its new home at the LRZ and be ready to perform computations for research.

Image Credit: © LRZ | Tobias Guggemos