Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF
Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF

Competence Center Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg

Organisational structure of the Fraunhofer competence network Quantum Computing with currently seven competence centres in the participating federal states.
© Fraunhofer IAF
Organisational structure of the competence network with currently seven competence centres in the participating federal states.

In cooperation with IBM Germany, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is establishing a national competence network in the research field of quantum computing. The aim is to develop quantum-based computing strategies for the next generation of high-performance computers. With the participation of currently eleven Fraunhofer Institutes, specialist expertise is being pooled in regional competence centers.

Within the Competence Center »Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg«, Baden-Württemberg will become the home of the first IBM quantum computer in Germany in order to use the existing high-tech landscape of large-scale industry, SMEs and start-ups for the application-oriented use of the high-performance computer.

For this purpose, IBM will provide an IBM Q System at its Ehningen site (> 25 qubits) from 2021. The robust configuration (service life > 95%) enables a variety of research topics from essential algorithms, software development and the design of elementary logic operations to the control of the quantum processor in the actual computing process. The location in Baden-Württemberg enables the operation of this IBM quantum computer under German legislation (data protection, IP security).

 

We are coordinating the Competence Center »Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg« at IAF together with Fraunhofer IAO in Stuttgart.

Collaborative projects

Within the Competence Center Quantum Computing, projects are funded by the Ministry of Economics, Labor and Housing Baden-Württemberg. Six projects will be funded in the first project period 2021 – 2022, three of them with the participation of Fraunhofer IAF. Find more information about the projects here.

Portfolio of Fraunhofer IAF in the Competence Center

© Fraunhofer IAF

Fraunhofer IAF contributes research on improving the performance of entangled qubits and quantum memories. The aim is to increase the achievable computing times of quantum computers and reduce error rates by developing novel quantum hardware.

This is what we are working on:

  • Development of novel material structures and process technologies including analytics
  • Quality assurance of quantum electronic devices
  • Research into new assembly and connection techniques
  • Demonstration of powerful quantum memory and processing components

Partners in the Competence Center

Fraunhofer IAF (Freiburg) and Fraunhofer IAO (Stuttgart) coordinate the Competence Center Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg. Both institutes have a high-performance computer pool for training and schooling purposes, each consisting of ten workstations and one conventional high-performance computer connected to the IBM quantum computers.

Six Fraunhofer Institutes are collaborating on the six projects, along with 16 other university, college and non-university institutes from the state as well as about 40 associated cooperate partners from Baden-Württemberg and Germany.

If you are also interested in the competence center, please feel free to contact us at KQC@iaf.fraunhofer.de.

© IBM Research

"The agreement with the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft to install the first of our quantum systems outside the USA in Germany and make it available to the organization opens up the opportunity to further develop the technology and skills here in Germany and across Europe."

Dr. Heike Riel, Head Science & Technology, Lead IBM Research Quantum Europe, IBM Research

© Robert Bosch GmbH

"We research possible applications for quantum computers and develop quantum computer software, especially for material simulation as well as optimization issues. In the Competence Center, we can test our software on a scalable quantum computer."

Dr. Thomas Strohm, Senior Expert and Coordinator of Quantum Technologies, Robert Bosch GmbH

© BASF SE

"Our activities on the topic of Next Generation Computing cover areas that are highly relevant for the chemical industry, such as molecular simulation and machine learning. In this context, quantum computing in particular can open up completely new possibilities.”

Dr. Michael Kühn, Digitalization of R&D – Quantum Chemistry, BASF SE 

News & press releases about the Competence Center

 

© IBM Research

News 01/08/2021

€19 million state funds go to projects in the Fraunhofer Competence Center “Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg“

read more

Press release / 13.5.2020

Start of the Fraunhofer Competence Center »Quantum Ccomputing Baden-Württemberg«

more info

News / 19.3.2020

Baden-Württemberg to fund »Competence Center Quantum Computing«

Funding of up to € 40 million in the coming four years.

more info
 

© cnet

News / 13.3.2020

Fraunhofer und IBM bring quantum computing to Germany

For research and industry: Fraunhofer gets access to an IBM quantum computer to research technology, application scenarios and algorithms.

 

 

more info

Information at a glance

This brochure will inform you about the Competence Centre Quantum Computing, opportunities for collaboration, and training services.

PDF for download

Further information

Quantum computing at Fraunhofer IAF

 

An overview of the research work of Fraunhofer IAF in the field of quantum computing can be found here.

more info

Project Sequence

 

 

Project Sequence develops cryogenic electronics for quantum computers.

 

more info

Funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Housing Baden-Württemberg