NERSC Launches IBM Quantum Innovation Center

Beginning in January 2025, users at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) will be able to access IBM’s quantum computers over the cloud for their research, allowing users to take advantage of these next-generation systems for certain scientific applications.

Quantum computing is a promising technology that may someday address problems not feasible on classical supercomputers alone. IBM’s quantum computers incorporate a quantum technology called transmon superconducting qubits. With tools like Qiskit, IBM's quantum software, NERSC users will be able to explore quantum circuits tailored to research problems spanning a variety of disciplines.

NERSC’s IBM Quantum Innovation Center is for approved NERSC users. NERSC will help guide appropriate projects toward the program, providing support to align proposals and workflows for maximum impact. This program offers access to IBM’s latest quantum systems and resources, including training and support to users, helping them become familiar with running a range of algorithms on quantum computers.

Applications for research proposals are currently being accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis. Interested researchers can apply now.

“Our IBM Quantum Innovation Center provides NERSC users with access to mainstream quantum technology and covers limited but generous access,” said NERSC quantum researcher Jan Balewski. “Equally valuable is the technical support offered to user projects by both NERSC and IBM staff as part of the innovation center. This guidance helps users navigate the steep learning curve associated with quantum computing, enhancing the overall experience and success of their projects.”

For NERSC, having access to IBM quantum resources provides an opportunity to expand its growing portfolio of quantum computing options available to users, taking advantage of different quantum technologies as the industry grows and develops. It also offers the opportunity to better understand user needs and prepare the quantum requirements for future NERSC systems. This program will stimulate workforce development for NERSC staff as quantum computing becomes more common. In addition, it will further grow the NERSC user base by integrating quantum researchers into the larger classical computing user community.

"NERSC is planning to incorporate quantum technologies into its HPC workflows,” said NERSC quantum computing engineer Katie Klymko. “Collaborations with quantum hardware vendors like IBM will allow us to prepare our user base and staff for this future, and develop a better understanding of what algorithms will be accelerated on quantum hardware."

Overall, this engagement between NERSC and IBM is projected to contribute to improved ways of using quantum algorithms and processes and prepare the scientific community to adopt this promising technology.

“Berkeley Lab was instrumental to our ‘utility-scale’ breakthrough in 2023,” said Scott Crowder, Vice President, IBM Quantum Adoption and Business Development. “With NERSC users able to access these systems – which are now 50 times faster than the system used for the original experiment – we look forward to seeing progress in quantum-centric supercomputing workflows that take advantage of quantum and HPC compute resources.”