PASQuanS2.1 aims to pave the way towards the development of programmable atomic quantum simulators, such that in 2030 quantum simulators of up to 10000 quantum constituents are available; building an ecosystem for quantum simulations across Europe and serving as an interconnect between academia, start-ups and industrial end users. We aim to address important problems in fundamental and material science, as well as real-world problems of importance in industry. To this end, the consortium will build the next generation of programmable, large-scale atomic quantum simulators including the software stack with methods for verification, algorithm implementation, and user interfaces. It will research methods to validate the results obtained on these platforms, which sets the basis to demonstrate a practical advantage on them. At the same time, PASQuanS2.1 engages with end-users to develop new applications across science and industry for end-user applications and to expand industry connections to technology partners and startups.
PASQuansS2.1 will address four central challenges. First, the platforms for quantum simulation need to be technologically advanced. We aim to realize quantum simulators with at least 2000 individual quantum systems, with increasing calibration and a reduction of temperature and noise, and with full control over their interactions and couplings. This allows for more advanced programmable quantum simulations. Second, a software stack for control of these devices for broad applications needs to be developed. This connects at the highest level to end-user interfaces, and including systems engineering, verification and validation, including when the system is operating beyond regimes accessible to classical supercomputers. Relevant verification methods have been developed within PASQuanS (the predecessor project) and have to be integrated in the software stack and demonstrated for specific applications and one of the platforms. Third, industrial applications of quantum simulation need to be further developed so that quantum simulation extends beyond being an important scientific tool for physicists and develops its full potential towards maximum societal impact. This requires mapping real-life problems onto the dynamics of a simulator. From PASQuanS, there is a starting point with the implementation of optimization problems and the building of an end-user forum. The present challenge is to substantially expand this, identifying and developing implementations of new problem classes, while developing a sustainable ecosystem of end-users and open quantum simulation platforms. Forth, the consortium will facilitate the delivery of commercial quantum simulators, and in particular, cloud-based quantum simulators. This requires the consideration not only of the final platforms, but also the supply chain for components that build up quantum simulation platforms including system integration, allowing state-of-the-art commercial platforms to be made available online. It implies careful expansion of the IP portfolio and nurturing of start-ups in strategic areas.
