JUNIQ, the world’s first quantum computing infrastructure, has been offering users from science and industry access to various quantum computers since 2022. The integration of these quantum computers into the Jülich Supercomputing Centre’s modular supercomputing infrastructure opens up unique possibilities for finding solutions to complex tasks by efficiently combining quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and classical computing. This combination positions Jülich as a leading innovation centre for quantum computing in Europe.
Introducing JUNIQ
JUNIQ – the Jülich UNified Infrastructure for Quantum computing – is our key to the computing power of tomorrow. With access to a variety of quantum systems at different stages of development, JUNIQ offers a unique platform to both science and industry. From state-of-the-art commercial systems such as the D-Wave quantum annealer to continuously optimized experimental quantum computers, JUNIQ opens up a wide range of possibilities for research and innovation.
Building for Jülich’s quantum computer infrastructure JUNIQ.Copyright: — Forschungszentrum Jülich
But JUNIQ offers more than just access to quantum machines – researchers also benefit from comprehensive support in developing quantum computing algorithms and applications. JUNIQ is embedded within Forschungszentrum Jülich’s future IT systems strategy and is closely linked to Jülich’s powerful supercomputers – combining the advantages of quantum computing with classical high-performance computing. Hybrid approaches and the integration of artificial intelligence allow for even the most complex questions to be addressed in completely new ways – a crucial step towards pioneering scientific and economic solutions. The state government of North Rhine-Westphalia and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research have each provided € 5 million in funding to support the establishment of JUNIQ.
How JUNIQ is used: Examples of applications
The creation of the universe after the Big Bang
Jaka Vodeb (JSC) uses the quantum annealer to look at the quantum processes that took place shortly after the Big Bang.
Sandipan Mohanty used the D-Wave annealing quantum computer to investigate the folding of lattice proteins. One goal, for example, is to gain a better understanding of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
The tail assignment problem of assigning aircraft and crews to flights is one of the major challenges regularly faced by airlines. JSC researchers are investigating quantum algorithms to solve simplified assignment problems.
JUNIQ offers the unique opportunity to compare different quantum computer systems and concepts on one platform.
The infrastructure: what JUNIQ offers
Emulators
Emulators are programs that run on supercomputers and mimic quantum computers. This makes it possible to test algorithms today that will run on quantum computers in the future, for example.
Number of qubits: 43 (simulated on the Jülich supercomputer JUWELS)
Special feature: JUQCS runs on both laptops and supercomputers. However, only supercomputers can simulate more than 32 qubits. JUQCS holds the record here – 48 qubits simulated on K (Japan) and Sunway TaihuLight (China).
Deployment: since January 2022
Site: Jülich
Number of qubits: 41
Special feature: The emulator runs on a special hardware infrastructure – similar in size to a simple business server – with a large storage capacity.
Quantum annealers
A quantum annealer is an analogue quantum computer that, like other quantum computers, uses quantum mechanics to perform calculations. Analogue means that continuous changes are made to the qubit system, similar to a lamp with a dimmer switch that has more brightness levels than simply on (1) or off (0). However, quantum annealers are not universally programmable; rather, they are specially designed for optimizing tasks and processes, for example to simplify supply chains or control traffic flows.
D-Wave Advantage System JUPSI
Deployment: since January 2022
Type: Commercial system / First Production System
Site: Jülich
Qubit type: Superconducting qubits
Number of qubits: max. 5,760
Special feature: It is the first annealing quantum computer in Europe with over 5,000 qubits. The annealer is to be connected to JUPITER, the first European exascale computer, to combine the capabilities of both systems.
Quantensimulator
A quantum simulator is a kind of scaled-down quantum computer. While it is still a quantum system, it is less flexible and only suitable for certain problems – for example when many particles interact with each other. In essence, it involves using a known, controllable quantum system to simulate another, usually more complex quantum system.
PASQAL QUANTum SIMULATOR JADE
Deployment: Scheduled for summer 2025
Type: Commercial system
Site: Jülich
Qubit type: Neutral atoms
Number of qubits: 100+
Special feature: The Jülich quantum simulator and another identical simulator at the TGCC/CEA supercomputing centre (France) are to be closely connected to two European supercomputers – including the JURECA DC supercomputer at FZJ – as part of the EuroHPC project High-Performance Computer and Quantum Simulator hybrid (HPCQS). This hybrid system should make it possible to utilize the power of quantum computers for the first practical hybrid applications, such as drug development.
Digital quantum computers
Digital quantum computers are the elite class, so to speak, and should in future be able to solve complex tasks that exceed the capabilities of today’s supercomputers. Experts talk about “universally programmable or gate-based quantum computers” – i.e. quantum computers that can be used for a broader spectrum of problems than quantum annealers or quantum simulators, and can therefore – in principle – be used for any calculation.
Commercial systems
IQM Spark
ELECTRON QUANTUM COMPUTER JION
ARQUE
Deployment: As of 2025
Type: Commercial system
Site: Jülich
Qubit type: Superconducting qubits
Number of qubits: 5
Special feature: The system is the first gate-based quantum computer to go into scientific operation at Jülich. IQM Spark will be connected to the JSC supercomputer JURECA DC. This will allow researchers to investigate how calculations on classical supercomputers can be accelerated using quantum computers. IQM Spark was developed especially for basic experiments and applications in teaching at universities and research institutes.
Deployment:: Scheduled for summer 2025
Type: Commercial polit system
Site: Jülich
Qubit type: Trapped ion qubits
Number of qubits: Initially 30, later to be expanded to 60
Special feature: A quantum supercomputer made in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). As part of the EPIQ project funded by the NRW Ministry of Culture and Science, it is to be integrated into JSC’s JURECA DC system and used in hybrid mode in JUNIQ from 2025.
Deployment:: Scheduled for summer 2026
Type: Commercial polit system
Site: Jülich
Qubit type: Semiconductor qubits
Number of qubits: 5
Special feature: A quantum computer made in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). It is to be integrated into JSC’s JURECA DC system and used in hybrid mode in JUNIQ from 2026.
Experimentelle Systeme
QSOLID
OPENSUPERQPLUS
CQC
Deployment: Currently under development
Type: Experimental quantum system
Site: Jülich
Qubit type: Superconducting qubits
Number of qubits: Currently 10, to be expanded to 30
Special feature: Since the beginning of 2022, the BMBF-funded project QSolid has been developing quantum demonstrators whose qubits are designed to have a low error rate. The goal is to achieve 30 qubits by 2027.
Deployment: Currently under development
Type: Experimental quantum system
Site: Jülich
Qubit type: Superconducting qubits
Number of qubits: 1,000 upon completion of the project
Special feature: The OpenSuperQPlus project is part of the EU Quantum Flagship research initiative, which was launched in 2018. The aim of the 28 partners from 10 countries is to build a European quantum computer with 1,000 qubit.
Deployment: Currently under development
Type: Experimental quantum system
Site: Jülich
Qubit type: Superconducting qubits
Number of qubits: 5
Special feature: A quantum computer built at JSC using off-the-shelf components (Bluefors cryostat, QuantWare 5-qubit QPU Soprano, Quantum Machines (QM) quantum control system) by a consortium – consisting of FZJ, ParTec, QM, and Goethe University Frankfurt – which developed software for integrating the quantum computer into the JSC HPC infrastructure.
We are leaders in the development of modular integration technologies that are needed to couple future quantum computers and we are developing hybrid quantum HPC algorithms.
JUNIQ in numbers
5,000
With more than 5,000 qubits, the D-WaveTM annealing quantum computer at JSC (Forschungszentrum Jülich) is the world’s largest and Europe’s first annealing quantum computer.
-273,15
The temperature inside the cryostat of a quantum computer is almost minus 273.15 degrees Celsius, i.e. close to absolute zero.
5
With IQM Spark, JSC has acquired a 5-qubit quantum system that researchers can use to investigate how calculations on classical supercomputers can be accelerated using quantum computers.
The Jülich UNified Infrastructure for Quantum computing (JUNIQ) provides science and industry with access to state-of-the-art quantum computers. Information on current calls for proposals, setting up research proposals, and the application process can be found on the JUNIQ web pages of the Jülich Supercomputing Centre.
More about JUNIQ at the Jülich Supercomputing Centre
