The program will consist of coupling quantum machines to a classic supercomputer at the Bruyères-le-Châtel center, in Ile-de-France, to constitute hybrid systems capable of unprecedented performance for certain types of calculations and applications.
Several types of quantum machines must be tested, said Secretary of State for Digital Cédric O, launching the program with Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly and Minister of Research Frédérique Vidal.
"We want to ensure that this platform can be used for the development" of the various French and European start-ups which are developing quantum machines, said Cédric O.
"By mid-2022, we will open a procedure (...) for the purchase of two to three quantum hardware + (machines) that are integrated into the platform," he said.
"Two more calls for tenders are planned over the next three years," he added.
The first coupling of a quantum machine with a supercomputer is scheduled for 2023, said a source close to the file.
Part of a supercaculator at the "Very large computer center" (TGCC) of the Commissariat à l'énergie atomique (CEA) in Bruyères-le-Châtel, June 3, 2019 STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN AFP / Archives
Among the French start-ups that will be able to provide a quantum machine is notably the start-up Pasqal, which is in the process of developing a 100 Qubit machine (the unit making it possible to characterize the potential of a quantum computer) based on technology neutral atoms.
The platform will allow European start-ups "to deploy their machine in real situations (...) with all the logistical support that this represents," consultant and quantum specialist Olivier Ezratty told AFP.
One of the objectives is also to "put in place all the software infrastructure that will allow users to learn how to operate these machines," he said.
The State launched this project as part of the quantum plan announced last year by Emmanuel Macron.
It plans to spend up to 70 million euros, with up to 100 million euros in funding from other partners, including the European Union and manufacturers.
Quantum technologies exploit the surprising properties of matter at the infinitely small scale (atom, ion, photon, electron ...)
They should ultimately make it possible to build computers with computation capacities incomparably superior to those of the most powerful current supercomputers.
The Bruyères-le-Châtel computing center, managed by the Atomic Energy Commission, is one of the most important European computing centers.
It is used by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and by the world of industry and research.
© 2022 AFP