Professor Neugebauer, the first commercial quantum computer on German soil is now ready for use.

What can it do that classic computers such as my laptop cannot?

Alexander Armbruster

Responsible editor for Wirtschaft Online.

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    Neugebauer: The computer will be able to do very, very much more than our previous classic computers, especially when it comes to solving large, complex tasks, such as optimization tasks or simulations.

    Very important: Due to the quantum properties, we can no longer only calculate serially, as we do now, i.e. one after the other, but in parallel.

    That's a huge leap.

    The computer that has now been built in Ehningen is called the IBM Quantum System One.

    It has 27 superconducting Q bits.

    Please translate that from the language of quantum physicists into that of quantum beginners.

    Neugebauer: A Q-Bit is basically a basic unit, like a bit in a classic computer. But this one Q-bit can have many different states, and that is a key difference. This means, for example: If you have a computer with 100 Q-bits and one with 101 Q-bits, then the latter has twice the performance; it is not linear. In addition to the number of Q bits, there is another essential unit, the so-called quantum volume. This is a parameter that IBM introduced in order to be able to evaluate the quality, stability, robustness and susceptibility to errors of such a system. Our computer has a quantum volume of 32 - and together with the 27 Q bits, our system is one of the most powerful currently freely available.

    Minister, the quantum computer designed by IBM is now there. You yourself recently rolled out a billion-dollar program that is more far-reaching. For example, you announced the first quantum computer “made in Germany”, built by German companies and research institutions, within the next five years. How far are we now?

    Karliczek: With regard to the quantum computer, four aspects are important: It is essential to be able to try out and test quantum computer applications now. Our scientists should learn on the object what is in this technology - we are now doing that in Ehningen, for example. But above all, we also have to develop these technologies ourselves. Superconducting systems are just one possible technological variant on which a quantum computer can be based. We do not yet know what technology a universal quantum computer will ultimately be based on, which will hopefully bring the groundbreaking computing power. Third, it is about bringing hardware and software together. And then there is a fourth component: We need adequately trained specialistsso that a shortage of specialist staff does not inhibit development in a few years when the operational business takes off. We’re doing all of this now.

    Specifically, you are currently offering funds to build demonstrators.

    And you call for user networks to be established.

    How is the response?

    Karliczek: Fortunately, we have a very good community in Germany and in Europe, both on the industrial side and on the research side.

    Associations are currently being formed that jointly submit funding applications.

    As a result, everything is not thought of individually in parallel, but rather real hubs, in which development and application go hand in hand, are created.

    In addition, companies, for example the “Quantum Technology and Application Consortium” (QUTAC), join forces independently of our funding measures.

    That is also a good development.

    Why do you actually spend tax money on it? The financially strong German companies can buy such computers themselves if they find it promising.