The EuroQCS-France consortium, led by GENCI and CEA, is pleased to announce that European researchers can now access a 12-qubit Quandela photonic quantum computing system remotely. This exciting development allows European users to begin programming and testing their applications on a real photonic quantum computer, months ahead of the anticipated deployment at TGCC (CEA’s computing center) of the on-premise Lucy system in the end of 2025. They can be supported by experts from a High-Level Support Team to port their applications onto the photonic quantum computer.

The EuroQCS-France consortium and the selection of Quandela as supplier by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (JU)

In 2024, EuroHPC JU selected a consortium formed by Quandela and its German partner attocube systems AG as the supplier of the photonic quantum computing technology as part of the EuroQCS-France initiative. This collaboration is set to pave the way for a new era in quantum computing across Europe, enhancing research capabilities and advancing the quantum ecosystem.

In November 2024, on the occasion of SC24, EuroQCS-France officially announced the provision of early remote access to a 6-qubit Quandela photonic quantum computer for the European open research community. Now, users will be able to run their code on a remote 12-qubit quantum computer, with the same design as the upcoming Lucy system. This provides a unique opportunity to engage with a photonic quantum computer, allowing open research communities to get hands-on experience before the Lucy system is fully installed and operational at TGCC in 2025.

Key Benefits for European Researchers

· Early Access: Open research communities can begin preparing their code using Perceval now, the Quandela programming and emulation environment deployed on the Joliot-Curie supercomputer, and run their applications on a remote 12-qubit photonic quantum computer similar to the targeted Lucy system.

· No Wait for Deployment: Users will not have to wait for the installation of Lucy to access a real quantum computing system, allowing them to start experimenting and testing their applications immediately.

· Expert Support: A High-Level Support Team will assist users in porting their applications onto the photonic quantum computer, ensuring that researchers can fully leverage the technology.

· Training Sessions: GENCI/CEA and Quandela will be offering specialized training on hybrid HPC-QC programming schemes, helping users prepare for the integration of Lucy with Joliot-Curie.

How to Access the Remote System

The process to access the remote Quandela system will be outlined by CEA, and interested researchers can apply for access through the designated channels. More details will be provided shortly.

Looking Ahead

EuroQCS-France is part of the broader European effort to build a diverse, pan-European hybrid HPC/QC infrastructure. Lucy, the 12-qubit photonic quantum computer, will soon join other cutting-edge quantum systems across Europe, each based on different hardware technologies. These systems include scalable superconducting qubits (Euro-Q-Exa), star-shaped superconducting qubits (LUMI-Q), trapped ions (EuroQCS-Poland), quantum annealing (EuroQCS-Spain), neutral atoms (EuroQCS-Italy), each system providing unique capabilities and research opportunities.

In the coming months, as the Lucy system’s deployment approaches, this early access will be crucial in ensuring that European researchers are well-prepared to take full advantage of the system’s capabilities.

GENCI/CEA and Quandela will be organizing training sessions on hybrid HPC-QC programming schemes leveraging photonic quantum computing to anticipate the integration of Lucy with Joliot-Curie.

About EuroQCS-France

EuroQCS-France is a consortium led by GENCI as Hosting Entity and CEA as Hosting Site, with the University Politechnica of Bucharest (UPB, Romania), Forschungszentrum Juelich (FZJ, Germany) and Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC, Ireland), selected by EuroHPC JU in 2022 as a result of the call for expression of interest EUROHPC-2022-CEI-QC-01.

EuroQCS-France aims to provide European open research communities with access to a photonic quantum computer coupled with the Joliot-Curie supercomputer, just like the 100-qubit Pasqal quantum simulator Ruby, acquired in the context of the HPCQS project.

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Paris, February 7, 2025 – Quandela, the European leader in photonic quantum computing, announces a major breakthrough for the sector in a scientific paper¹ describing a reduction by a factor of 100,000 in the number of components required for fault-tolerant calculations. Quandela’s hybrid approach, based on a technology that generates photonic qubits with unprecedented efficiency from artificial atoms (semiconductor quantum emitters), should enable the company to accelerate the scaling-up of its quantum computers. 

A photonic approach promising for error-correction and scaling challenges 

Fault-tolerant – error-free – quantum computing is crucial for the correct execution of the most impactful quantum algorithms, such as prime number factorization, linear system solving and chemical simulations. It is these algorithms that enable the most valuable use cases that “classical” computers cannot solve, notably in the energy, pharmaceutical, chemical and defense sectors. 

Among all quantum platforms, the photonic platform appears particularly promising for achieving fault tolerance, thanks to the unique ability of photons to :  

• carry quantum information almost infinitely 

• interconnect quantum processors via commercial optical fibers, as is the case with today’s largest network-connected computers.  

Interconnection between quantum processors is essential, in the long term, to extend the computing power of quantum computers – in a similar way to today’s networked supercomputers – whatever the platform in question. Photonic technology therefore inherently possesses the modularity that is absolutely essential for scaling up and implementing error-correction protocols. 

However, since photon loss is the main source of error in the photonic approach, the high performance of these quantum computers implies high optical transmission of the components, i.e. a high flow of photons through all the components. The big challenge is therefore to reduce the number of components (“resources”) in order to achieve the high optical transmission needed to manipulate and correct a large number of qubits, and thus achieve the high-impact calculations that outperform conventional computers. 

Quandela’s approach 100,000x less resource-intensive than other photonic competitors 

To meet this challenge, Quandela has just reported a groundbreaking scientific result that presents a method for reducing resource requirements by a factor of 100,000 compared with the photonics-only approach adopted and developed by other photonic quantum computing players in the USA and Canada.  

At the heart of this result lies the core technology of Quandela’s processors, based on semiconductor quantum emitters that generate photonic qubits with world-leading efficiency. Thanks to its hybrid approach, which uses these emitters both as photon generators and as qubits (by exploiting the spin of one of the emitter’s electrons), Quandela sets itself apart from other photonic competitors.  

Where a purely photonic approach would require around a million components to generate one logic qubit, the research team, led by Quandela’s Chief Research Officer Shane Mansfield, demonstrates that Quandela’s approach requires just 12, i.e. 100,000 (= 10^5 times ) less. This approach also greatly relaxes the optical transmission requirements of the components, and therefore the performance required for error correction. 

Significant reduction in energy consumption 

This considerable gain, which promises to reach the error-correction regime much more quickly, also makes it possible to drastically reduce the platform’s manufacturing costs and energy consumption. Quandela predicts a much lower power consumption than existing quantum platforms. In practice, while today’s large-scale high-performance computing centers consume around 20 MW, and cloud hyperscalers dedicated to AI require around 2 MW, Quandela’s largest quantum computer should keep its power consumption below 1MW. Quandela’s computers are therefore positioned as the solution for increasing the computing power needed by industry worldwide, without increasing energy consumption. 

“This breakthrough marks an important milestone for error-correcting computing with the photonic platform. By drastically reducing the resources required while maintaining the intrinsic advantages of the photonic approach, we are paving the way for the realistic industrialization of fault-tolerant quantum computing. Our unique hybrid approach demonstrates Quandela’s ability to significantly accelerate the scale-up of quantum computers, a crucial issue for the entire industry”, comments Niccolo Somaschi, co-founder and CEO of Quandela. 

Quandela has been selected as one of the five Deep Tech Champions 2024 by Systematic Paris-Region, France’s largest deep technology cluster. The company joins fellow champions Probabl (Open Source & AI), Scalinx (Semiconductors), Sekoia.io (Cybersecurity), and Uavia (Drones) in this prestigious recognition, which highlights Quandela’s significant contributions to quantum computing and strong growth trajectory.

The Champions label, now in its 13th year, recognizes innovative SMEs that demonstrate exceptional potential in strategic deep tech sectors. The selection acknowledges Quandela’s achievements in making quantum computing accessible to industry through ready-to-use quantum computers for datacenters, cloud-accessible quantum processors, and algorithm services.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from Systematic Paris-Region, which validates our pragmatic approach to quantum computing development and our commitment to meeting real industry needs,” said Valérian Giesz, CEO of Quandela. “Joining this select group of Champions who are driving innovation in strategic deep tech sectors reflects the dedication and expertise of our entire team.”

The jury, chaired by Fadwa Sube, particularly praised “the perfect alliance between world-class scientific excellence in quantum computing and the pragmatism and humility of Valérian Giesz and his team,” as well as the company’s step-by-step approach focused on customer needs.

Key achievements that led to this recognition include:
– The successful delivery of quantum computers to OVHcloud and Exaion in France and Canada
– A significant order from EuroHPC JU for a 12-qubit quantum computer, to be delivered by end of 2025
– The launch of the first quantum computer factory in Massy, with a production capacity of 4 quantum computers per year
– The establishment of the world’s first pilot line dedicated to the production of semiconductor-based spin-photon qubit devices

With 110 employees across France, Germany, Canada, and South Korea, Quandela continues to expand its international presence, supported by €65 million in funding raised since its creation in 2017. This recognition reinforces the company’s commitment to making quantum computing accessible to tackle complex industrial and societal challenges.

About Systematic Paris-Region
Systematic is the European Deep Tech hub that has been bringing together and coordinating a community of nearly 900 members since its creation in 2005, including nearly 600 startups, SMEs and mid-caps, 140 large groups, 140 academics, and an investors’ college. The Champions program has recognized 73 innovative companies since 2011, which have collectively raised over €1.7 billion and created more than 11,500 jobs across 35+ countries.

Quandela is the winner in the “Quantum-Enhanced Autonomy” category for its hybrid AI-quantum generative model that harnesses the power of boson sampling integrated with cutting-edge classical models.

Paris, December 11, 2024 – Quandela, European leader in photonic quantum computing, announces that it has won the 2024 Quantum Computing Challenge sponsored by Airbus and BMW Group, with the support of Amazon Web Services, in the “Quantum-Enhanced Autonomy” category. This award was presented during the Q2B Silicon Valley event in Santa Clara, California (USA), in which Quandela is participating.

Augmenting generative AI for critical Test Scenario Images

The “Quantum-Enhanced Autonomy” award won by Quandela is based on the understanding that future autonomous mobility will rely heavily on reliable and safe AI vision systems, being an essential brick for autonomous driving of vehicles but also for automated landing of aircraft. To achieve the highest level of safety, it is necessary to have access to representative datasets of images specially for critical test scenarios. Those include lower visibility during night-time as well as adverse weather, intricate traffic patterns, and obstructions on runways. Quantum computers offer potential advantages for such challenges compared to their classical counterparts.

The challenge, therefore, is to foster the generation of images that encapsulate critical scenarios using quantum generative modeling techniques.

An innovative hybrid AI-quantum generative model

Quandela has developed an innovative hybrid AI-quantum generative model that harnesses the power of boson sampling integrated with cutting-edge classical models. This unique approach enables the generation of high-quality images for critical test scenarios while optimizing the computational resources required. The solution leverages the natural advantages of photonic quantum computing, which is particularly suited for processing and generating complex images.

This breakthrough demonstrates the real potential of quantum computing to advance autonomous mobility solutions, paving the way for concrete applications in the industry.

This achievement is part of Quandela’s broader approach to developing and deploying hybrid algorithms that combine quantum and classical power for machine learning on quantum computers available today. In this same dynamic, Quandela and Scaleway are currently organizing the First Perceval Quest, where 64 teams from around the world are exploring new approaches to classical machine learning benchmarks through hybrid quantum computing, highlighting the broad potential of these algorithms in various applications.

A prestigious international award

The Quantum Computing Challenge, which attracted over 420 teams and more than 100 detailed proposals from around the world, represents a landmark collaboration between aerospace and automotive industry leaders in exploring quantum computing applications. The award won by Quandela highlights the quality of Quandela’s technology at the highest global level.

“I would like to warmly thank Airbus, BMW Group, AWS, and The Quantum Insider for organizing this groundbreaking initiative in service of science. We are honored to be recognized among the distinguished finalists from leading institutions and companies worldwide. This achievement underscores Quandela’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of quantum computing and its applications in the industry,” says Niccolo Somaschi, co-founder and CEO of Quandela.

Nicolas Fellmann is Recruited as Chief Financial Officer, Xavier Geoffret Takes Responsibility for Business Development

Paris, November 27, 2024 – Quandela, the European leader in photonic quantum computing, announces the recruitment of two senior profiles for the positions of Chief Financial Officer and Business Development Director. These recruitments are set to bolster a team of over 100 employees from 20 different nationalities, primarily composed of researchers and engineers specializing in optics, algorithms, and information sciences.

Nicolas Fellmann, Chief Financial Officer

Nicolas Fellmann, 56 years old, is appointed Chief Financial Officer of Quandela. Holding an MBA in Finance from EM Lyon Business School, he began his career at EY as a financial auditor. Between 1995 and 2006, he held positions of increasing responsibility at Pfizer France, notably as Director of Treasury, Tax, and Audit, in charge of managing financial risks.

For the past fifteen years, Nicolas Fellmann has been Chief Financial Officer in innovative, rapidly growing companies (BioAlliance Pharma, Onxeo which became Valerio Therapeutics, Biophytis).

He notably contributed to implementing several fundraising rounds with international investors for over €180 million, as well as managing merger-acquisition and licensing operations in Europe, the United States, and Asia.

“I am very happy to join today a dynamic team whose ambition is to build a world leader in quantum computing. Quandela has passed many important milestones over the past 12 months, demonstrating the quality of its science and technological expertise, and I am eager to contribute to the upcoming growth.”

Xavier Geoffret, Business Development Manager

Xavier Geoffret, 56 years old, a graduate engineer from CentraleSupélec, is appointed as Business Development Manager. With over 20 years of experience in high-performance computing (HPC) and storage, he has worked for major HPC providers such as SGI, Bull, and Atos on complex large-scale projects.

In 2018, he shifted towards quantum computing, first at Eviden, and then at IQM Quantum Computers as Technical Sales Manager.

With expertise in consulting, architecture, and offer management, Xavier’s mission is to help organizations harness the power of quantum technologies. His objective is to focus on stimulating innovation and creating new opportunities for the future through the convergence of quantum, HPC, and AI.

“The hybridization with HPC and AI is the future of quantum computing. I am very enthusiastic about joining a company like Quandela that has managed to develop unique technologies that will allow HPC and AI users to benefit from this hybridization in the years to come.”

“We are delighted to welcome Nicolas and Xavier, two highly experienced individuals who are strengthening our teams as Quandela recently unveiled its technological roadmap for 2025-2030 and accelerates its international development. We aim to achieve fault-tolerant quantum computing by 2030. Nicolas’s role is to structure our financial direction and support our growth. With his expertise in high-performance computing and his vision of technological hybridization, Xavier brings a valuable strategic perspective to develop new opportunities. I look forward to working with them as Quandela continues its path to becoming one of the major quantum computing players of the 21st century,” declares Valérian Giesz, cofounder and COO of Quandela.

Atlanta, Lisbon, 18/11/2024

On the occasion of the SuperComputing 2024 (SC24) conference, held in Atlanta (GA) from November 17^th to 22^nd, and the European Quantum Technologies Conference, held in Lisbon (Portugal) from November 18^th to 20^nd, the EuroQCS-France consortium, led by GENCI and CEA and part of EuroHPC’ pan European HPC/QC hybrid infrastructure, announces it will provide early remote access to a Quandela 6-qubit universal digital photonic quantum computer to the European open research community before the Lucy system is installed in France next year.

Anticipating Lucy’s deployment, expected mid-2025

GENCI and CEA, respectively Hosting Entity and Hosting Site of the Lucy EuroHPC’ quantum computer within the EuroQCS-France consortium, had already started exposing tools to help academic and industrial open research communities get acquainted with the specificities of linear optics quantum computing (LOQC). Perceval, the programming and emulation environment provided by Quandela, has been available on the Joliot-Curie supercomputer for over a year. Taking a step further in this approach, the EuroQCS-France consortium will soon provide access to a remote 6-qubit Quandela device until the Lucy system is fully deployed and operational at TGCC, CEA’s computing center. End-users will be able to write their code using Perceval and then to run it on the remote system.

Lucy is the name of the 12-qubit universal digital photonic quantum computer acquired by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (JU) to a consortium formed by the French company Quandela and its German partner attocube systems AG. It will be installed mid-2025 at TGCC, CEA’s computing center located in the south of Paris, and coupled with GENCI’s Joliot-Curie supercomputer, just like the Pasqal “Ruby” system acquired in the context of the HPCQS European project. Lucy will be part of an unprecedented constellation of six EuroHPC quantum computers, each one relying on a different hardware technology: scalable superconducting qubits (Euro-Q-Exa, consortium led by LRZ in Germany), star-shaped superconducting qubits (LUMI-Q, IT4Innovation, Czech Republic), trapped ions (EuroQCS-Poland, PSNC, Poland), quantum annealing (EuroQCS-Spain, BSC-CNS, Spain), neutral atoms (EuroQCS-Italy, CINECA, Italy) and single photons (EuroQCS-France, GENCI/CEA, France). So far, four of these systems have been acquired to IQM (Euro-Q-Exa and LUMI-Q), AQT (EuroQCS-Poland), Quandela and attocube systems AG (EuroQCS-France).

Quandela providing expert support to promote research in linear optics quantum computing

On top of this remote preparatory access, end-users will be able to request support from one of Quandela’s experts in LOQC to help them build the applications that will ultimately run on the 12-qubit Lucy system. “Linear optics quantum computing is a very exciting and complex paradigm, with lots of potential use cases. However, we are well aware it also comes with a learning curve and we must make sure users have the right tools and the right level of support to tackle it.”, stated jointly Philippe LAVOCAT, CEO and Chairman of GENCI and Jacques-Charles LAFOUCRIERE, Program Director at CEA and Coordinator of the France Hybrid HPC Quantum Initiative (HQI, which is co-funding Lucy and Ruby).

Niccolo Somaschi, CEO of Quandela stated: “We are eager to expose the Lucy system in the EuroHPC quantum computer galaxy, and in the meantime, very happy to be able to support end-users in their acquisition of the LOQC paradigm.” The access modalities for these services will soon be available on GENCI’s DARI platform.

Any question about these new services and the EuroQCS-France project? Don’t hesitate to come visit CEA’s, EuroHPC Joint Undertaking’s and Quandela’s booths, respectively #4143, #4249 and #4450, at the SC24 conference in the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta from November 17^th to 22^nd. 

About

GENCI

Created by the French public authorities in 2007, GENCI (Grand Équipement National de Calcul Intensif) is a major research infrastructure. This public operator aims to democratise the use of digital simulation through high performance computing associated with the use of artificial intelligence, and quantum computing to support French scientific and industrial competitiveness.

GENCI is in charge of three missions:

• To implement the national strategy for the provision of high-performance computing resources, storage, massive data processing associated with Artificial Intelligence technologies and quantum computing, for the benefit of French scientific research, in conjunction with the 3 national computing centres (CEA/TGCC, CNRS/IDRIS, France Universités/CINES).
• Supporting the creation of an integrated ecosystem on a national and European level
• Promoting digital simulation and supercomputing to academic research and industry

GENCI is a civil company 49% owned by the State represented by the Ministry in charge of Higher Education and Research, 20% by the CEA, 20% by the CNRS, 10% by the Universities represented by France Universités and 1% by Inria.

Regarding the national quantum strategy GENCI is partner together with CEA and Inria of HQI, the French HPC hybrid Quantum Initiative. 

Follow GENCI on LinkedIn, and visit their website https://www.genci.fr/

Follow HQI on LinkedIn, and visit their website https://www.hqi.fr/

CEA

The CEA is tasked with guiding public decisions and providing the scientific and technical means that civil society (businesses and local authorities) needs to better manage major societal changes, such as the energy transition, digital transformation, future healthcare, defence and global security. Its mission is supported by 20,000 employees and 9 research centres equipped with major research facilities that provide an innovative environment conducive to academic and industrial partnerships in France, Europe and abroad.

Follow CEA on LinkedIn, and visit their website www.cea.fr