Starting User Operation of Quantum Computers
Technologie:Quantum Computing
Forschungsbereich:Energy Efficiency
Quantum computing is starting in its practical phase at the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ): Since September 2025, researchers are able to apply for computing time on Q-Exa, a quantum system based on superconducting circuits from IQM Quantum Computers, as well as on a quantum computer from AQT, which operates with ion traps and lasers. Both systems offers a performance of the order of 20 qubits, they are integrated into high performance computing systems (HPC), and can be accessed remotely via the Munich Quantum Portal (MQP). “Currently, about 30 users from various project groups are accessing the quantum hardware,” reports Dr. Luigi Iapichino, expert who leads the User Enablement and Applications team. “Applicants can find a template for their request in the LRZ online documentation, which helps us understand their projects and requirements.”
The start of quantum computing’s operations marks another milestone: LRZ is among the first computing centres worldwide to successfully integrate quantum hardware with high-performance computers, the Q-Exa system in June 2024, then the AQT computer follows with its integration. Since summer of 2024, selected test users have been experimenting with both systems and their tools, including stress testing the MQP for getting access to the systems, sending jobs and retrieving results.
Their experiences and feedback, combined with the results of a survey among 25 master’s students in computer science, physics, and engineering, were incorporated into the LRZ Quantum User Study, its results were shown at the IEEE Quantum Week in Albuquerque. This study compares commercial quantum computing services and, based on feedback from early users and survey data, develops different user profiles (“personas”). “To get an overview of the market, we gathered feedback on the systems and our tools,” explains Muhammad Shahzaib, a computer scientist also working in user support. “We wanted to learn what our target audience expects from LRZ as a service provider—what questions or tasks potential users bring to us, which quantum technologies they intend to use, and what software we might integrate into our systems.
Support for Working
Quantum computing introduces LRZ to a new user community. While the systems are integrated into high-performance computers to control them, accelerate classical simulations, and enable new computation methods, “it’s surprising that many of those now working with the quantum hardware — or planning to do so — don’t come from the traditional HPC community,” notes Iapichino. “That’s important for us, because this new community typically needs more technical support when working with supercomputers than experienced HPC users do.” The team also views this as an opportunity —quantum computing could bring new users closer to classical high-performance computing.
According to the study, in addition to students of computer science and physics, research groups from fields such as computational chemistry, medicine, astrophysics, climate modeling, and quantum information are showing interest in the LRZ systems. The User Enablement and Applications team is also targeting computer scientists and quantum specialists from startups, companies, universities, and research institutes who, together with LRZ and within the Munich Quantum Valley (MQV), will develop quantum hardware and software and explore specific applications. This creates a diverse community ranging from beginners with limited prior knowledge to specialists who have already gained experience on different quantum computers. This community doesn’t just want to use simulators — also available at LRZ — but to work directly with one or both of the hybrid systems provided by LRZ. “We’re talking about a new technology that is still in its early stages,” Shahzaib points out. “So far, most current proposals are toy problems or feasibility studies that could, in theory, also be carried out with other resources.” Researchers and developers are still exploring these new technologies, testing their capabilities for computation and simulation—often in combination with classical computing techniques or artificial intelligence (AI) methods.
Needs and Expectations
As requested by the existing and potential user community, the MQP offers remote access to the quantum systems as well as quantum-classical hybrid computing capabilities. Within the growing global quantum community, Qiskit is currently the most widely used open-source framework for developing software and applications (around 70 percent), followed by PennyLane and Cirq. These frameworks, based on the Python programming language, shape the toolset implemented on the LRZ systems. At its core is the Munich Quantum Software Stack (MQSS), which combines various software components and which was developed with partners of Technical University Munich and the MQV. For example, the MQSS provides compilers and libraries, although interfaces or working with Qiskit, PennyLane or CUDA-Q and for programming with C++, with more to come. One such interface is the MQSS Qiskit Adapter, as well as upcoming more adapters such as MQSS Braket Adapter, which will bring pulse-level support to the user-facing side of the MQSS. Users can also expect initial program examples and frequently asked questions along with the detailed documentation to help get them started on the systems.
The main challenges in quantum computing—confirmed by the experiences of pilot users and surveyed students—lie in the early-stage hardware, its instability, and system noise: which affects the computational accuracy. These provide many entry points for research and experimentation but also for user support and for the next steps on the roadmap of MQSS. “There’s a clear need for documentation, training, and community support,” summarizes Iapichino—one of the study’s key findings. In addition to online documentation for applications and usage, the User Enablement and Applications team has held regular open-mic sessions for users on Zoom during the early operation of the quantum systems, and plans similar activities now for the regular user operation. Those who apply for hardware access and computing time are invited to join via a mailing list and informed about training sessions and workshops at LRZ and its partners, such as Munich’s universities and MQV organizations.
Further plans include documenting use cases of the integrated quantum systems for research and development, as well as mentoring and training programs. As in the testing phase, user feedback, questions, and issues will be immediately incorporated into improving hardware, software, and tools in collaboration with LRZ’s quantum specialists. “Quantum hardware and software will only improve if many bright minds work together to optimize and accelerate the technology,” says Iapichino. “The systems we operate still have many issues—that’s why we need smart solutions. And we’ll find them when many researchers engage with these systems.” (vs | LRZ)