Competence Center Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg

Utilizing the potential of quantum computers and achieving a real advantage for practical applications — this goal is being pursued worldwide. In Baden-Württemberg, the Competence Center Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg (KQCBW) has dedicated itself to this goal over the past four years. Great progress has been made in various areas of quantum computing in successful joint projects. The success of the KQCBW is now to be continued and the unique quantum computing ecosystem in the state further expanded.

The KQCBW will be continued in a ten-month transfer project Competence Center Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg: Transfer Project (KQCBW24), which was launched in September 2024. The transfer project will continue the research work started in the previous projects and carry out important preliminary work for follow-up projects, which are scheduled to run for three years. The transfer project involves 12 partners from university and non-university institutes as well as five associated corporate partners. The KQCBW is funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economics, Labor and Tourism.

No quantum computing without quantum computers

In order to conduct application-oriented research into quantum computing, real quantum computers are indispensable. A key element in the Competence Center Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg (KQCBW) is therefore access to a powerful state-of-the-art quantum computing infrastructure. To this end, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is continuing its role as a quantum innovation center within the IBM Quantum Network and with IBM Deutschland GmbH, within the framework of the KQCBW. With a renewed agreement, the KQCBW will have access to the latest quantum computers from IBM including IBM’s fleet of utility-scale quantum systems available over the cloud.

In addition to access to the IBM systems, access to an NV-based quantum computer and the provision of the HPC simulation infrastructure as well as the virtual demonstrator platform for the simulation of quantum algorithms will also be made possible for all project partners within the KQCBW. This forms a comprehensive quantum computing infrastructure that offers the KQCBW partners ideal conditions for their research work

The KQCBW was founded in 2020. Within the competence center, the first IBM quantum computer was installed on German soil and made available to industrial companies, SMEs, start-ups and academic institutions for application-related use. Pioneering work was carried out in the development of quantum computing and key competencies were built up at the two institutes Fraunhofer IAF and Fraunhofer IAO.

In the period from 2020 to March 2024, the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs provided a total of 40 million euros to support the establishment of the KQCBW and the joint projects coordinated by the competence center. In the last project phase, researchers from a total of six Fraunhofer Institutes worked together with 17 other university, college and non-university institutes in the state and 56 associated corporate partners to advance research and development work on various topics using the competence center's quantum computing resources - from quantum simulation in the materials and natural sciences to requirements for powerful and reliable hardware environments and the programming of quantum algorithms for industrial needs.

In addition, a quantum computing training program was set up jointly by Fraunhofer IAO and Fraunhofer IAF as part of the KQCBW. The interactive training courses have continuously linked new findings with practical applications and established an ecosystem with more than 60 partners from science, industry and politics.