Competence Center Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg

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”, the first IBM quantum computer on German soil was installed and is available to industrial companies, SMEs, startups as well as academic institutions for application-related use.

The IBM Q System One at the Ehningen site allows for 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).

Technical data:

27 superconducting qubits
Quantum volume of 32
Coherence time ≈ 100 μs
Single qubit gate error ≈ 0,05%
2 qubit gate error ≈ 1%
Operation time 2 Qubit Gate ≈ 500 ns for CNOT

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

Feel free to contact us at KQC@iaf.fraunhofer.de

Collaborative projects

Within the Competence Center Quantum Computing, projects are funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism 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 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.

"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

"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

"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

News 06/15/2021

Curtain up: Fraunhofer and IBM to unveil quantum computer

Inauguration of the quantum computer in Ehningen

News 04/23/2021

Diamond-based quantum hardware for scalable quantum processors

Start of the joint project “QC-4-BW” within the Competence Center Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg

News 01/08/2021

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

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

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