German partnership to bring together quantum and supercomputing

German quantum computer startup eleQtron and Forschungszentrum Jülich’s world-leading supercomputing centre are entering into a development partnership to make their trapped-ion quantum computer operational by the end of 2024.

Prof. Dr. Christof Wunderlich and Dr. Habil Michael Johanning, eleQtron’s two founders, were involved in the construction of the first German quantum computer. Using trapped ions for quantum information processing allows for more accuracy, but the complex control systems it requires can reduce overall operational efficiency, and both partners believe collaboration will allow them to overcome this barrier and enable hybrid quantum–classical algorithms to be used in practice for the first time.

eleQtron’s technology is distinguished in that the qubits are not controlled individually with lasers, but with high-frequency waves. Its quantum computers are scalable, meaning that more and more of these qubits can be connected together. The company’s investors and backers include the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and Earlybird.