PARIS, Nov. 4, 2020 — Atos, a global leader in digital transformation, will collaborate with French start-up Pasqal to develop a quantum accelerator based on neutral atom technology for High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems. This technology would make it possible to strengthen the computing capacities of current computers and thereby develop hybrid quantum-HPC systems that can be used in the short term.

A world leader in the manufacture of quantum processors, Pasqal has developed a promising technology based on neutral atoms, which today enables it to master more than 100 atoms, whereas superconducting circuits, the most advanced quantum method to date, are currently limited to about 50 qubits. For its part, Atos has been studying the acceleration opportunities offered by neutral atoms for more than two years and is contributing to advances in research by developing the software specific to this technology, which has led to several scientific publications and patent filing.

The collaboration will lead to the integration of Pasqal’s technology into Atos’ HPC solutions environment. The collaboration will be based on Atos’ software development and quantum simulation platform, the Atos Quantum Learning Machine (QLM), combining Atos’ expertise in algorithmics with Pasqal’s development processors.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Pasqal and continue to enrich our quantum ecosystem with one of the most innovative European companies in this field,” said Cyril Allouche, Fellow & VP, Director of the Quantum R&D program at Atos. “Since the launch of its dedicated research program, Atos has adopted a multi-technology approach, which is reflected in the support of different quantum systems, such as superconductors, ions and neutral atoms, in Atos QLM. In this way, we hope to enable our users to experiment and develop their quantum applications on the widest range of quantum technologies.”

Georges-Olivier Reymond, Managing Director at Pasqal, commented: “We believe in hybrid computing, where quantum processors will accelerate conventional computers, with performance that will improve over the years. We are already working on a processor of more than 100 qubits, and our technology has a unique ability to scale beyond that. Working on the integration of these new technologies, with a pioneer and leader such as Atos, is therefore fully in line with our strategy to make them accessible to HPC users today.”

Atos, a pioneer in quantum computing

In November 2016, Atos launched an ambitious program to anticipate the future of quantum computing, called ‘Atos Quantum’. As a result of this initiative, Atos was the first player to offer a quantum noise simulation module as part of its Atos QLM offering. Atos QLM and Atos’ expertise is now contributing to numerous European programs, including the AQTION (Advanced Quantum computing with Trapped IONs) project, the PASQuanS (Programmable Atomic Large-Scale Quantum Simulation) project and more recently the NEASQC (NExt ApplicationsS of Quantum Computing) project.

About Atos

Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with 110,000 employees in 73 countries and annual revenue of € 12 billion. European number one in Cloud, Cybersecurity and High-Performance Computing, the Group provides end-to-end Orchestrated Hybrid Cloud, Big Data, Business Applications and Digital Workplace solutions. The Group is the Worldwide Information Technology Partner for the Olympic & Paralympic Games and operates under the brands Atos, Atos|Syntel, and Unify. Atos is a SE (SocietasEuropaea), listed on the CAC40 Paris stock index.

The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.

About Pasqal

Pasqal was founded in 2019 with the vision of leveraging the technology developed at the Institut d’Optique in Palaiseau (France) to build quantum processors from neutral atoms and all the necessary software environment. Pasqal’s goal is to bring a quantum advantage to its industrial and academic customers. Pasqal is supported by Quantonation, the leading investment fund in the field of quantum technologies and TPY Capital. For more information, or to apply for jobs in an ambitious team, visit www.pasqal.io.

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Source: Atos