The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) will integrate quantum software from Alice & Bob into its high-performance computing infrastructure, aiming to bridge the gap between theoretical quantum advances and practical industrial applications. This collaboration focuses on Alice & Bob’s “Helium” quantum system and utilizes Bull Qaptiva, a platform enabling developers to write code compatible with diverse quantum backends.
“Our priority is to make Alice & Bob’s unique fault-tolerant quantum computing technology usable in environments where real computational work happens,” says Chloé Poisbeau, Chief Operating Officer at Alice & Bob, as the partnership will initially explore condensed matter physics problems with an eye toward algorithms ready for execution around 2030.
Alice & Bob’s Cat Qubits Integrate with CEA’s Bull Qaptiva
Alice & Bob’s software stack is now being integrated into the CEA’s Bull Qaptiva platform, a move designed to streamline access to quantum resources within existing supercomputing environments. This integration bypasses a key hurdle in practical quantum computing by bridging the gap between quantum processors and established high-performance computing infrastructure. Bull Qaptiva, a hardware-agnostic quantum application platform, allows developers to write code once and deploy it across diverse quantum backends, both on-premises and via cloud access, while also managing workload orchestration.
The CEA’s expertise in coupling quantum computers with HPC systems forms the foundation for this effort, promising a more seamless workflow for future users. The collaboration extends beyond mere software integration to a joint research program focused on many-body problems, a field where quantum computers are predicted to offer significant advantages.
These workloads are not abstract exercises; they connect directly to real-world challenges in materials discovery, chemistry, and complex industrial simulations. By focusing on these applications, the CEA and Alice & Bob aim to validate value creation pathways before fully fault-tolerant quantum computers become available around 2030, the company says. “Many-body physics sits at the crossroads of fundamental science and industrial relevance,” said Jacques-Charles Lafoucriere, Program Director at CEA, highlighting the strategic importance of this research area.
Alice & Bob’s Helium quantum system, unveiled in June, is the focal point for this integration, with the company prioritizing usability in operational settings. The CEA, with its 20,000 employees and extensive research centers, provides a substantial platform for testing and scaling these advancements.
“By integrating our stack through Qaptiva into hybrid HPC/quantum setups, we’re removing friction for adoption and laying the operational foundation for seamless, industrial-grade access to FTQC systems,” Poisbeau added. This partnership aims to translate technical progress into measurable market value, aligning Alice & Bob’s fault-tolerant technology with a clear pipeline of industrial use cases.
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