IQM Quantum Computers has launched “IQM Spark”, a superconducting quantum computer for universities and research labs worldwide. The system, priced under one million euros, comes pre-installed with a 5-qubit quantum processing unit and includes free maintenance for a year. IQM will also provide training and learning materials through its online platform, IQM Academy. The company aims to help universities develop their quantum programs and prepare students for a quantum-enabled future. IQM has already delivered 5-qubit quantum computers to institutions including the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre in Germany.
IQM Quantum Computers, a Finnish-German quantum computing company, has launched a product named “IQM Spark”. This product includes a superconducting quantum computer and customised learning experiences for universities and research labs around the world. The quantum computer comes pre-installed with a 5-qubit quantum processing unit, with additional options available for a range of research experiments.
“Since our inception, we’ve invested in and promoted quantum education and the advancement of research, and it’s apparent that universities around the globe need critical tools like IQM Spark to train the workforce needed for the next generation. Given the potential of quantum computing, the ecosystem will require a wide range of talent across electronics, chip fabrication, hardware design, and software engineering. We are confident that our system will facilitate the learning experience and engage students with the physical system.”
Dr. Kuan Yen Tan, Chief Technology Officer and Co-founder of IQM Quantum Computers
IQM Spark: A Tool for Quantum Education
IQM Spark is designed to help universities initiate their quantum programmes. The company offers free maintenance for one year and provides training for operating the system. Learning materials are accessible through IQM Academy, an online platform. This product aims to provide students at all levels with the opportunity to learn about quantum computing in a hands-on manner. Universities can use both the hardware and software within the learning materials to equip their students with the skills needed for a future that incorporates quantum technology.
Collaboration with Universities
IQM Quantum Computers is committed to working with universities to advance quantum science. The company believes that the global ecosystem will require a wide range of talent across electronics, chip fabrication, hardware design, and software engineering due to the potential of quantum computing. IQM Spark is expected to facilitate the learning experience and engage students with the physical system.
Quantum Computers for Universities and Research Labs
IQM has already delivered 5-qubit quantum computers to several universities and research institutions, including the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre in Germany. The quantum computer at VTT has been connected to LUMI, Europe’s most powerful supercomputer, hosted by the CSC – IT Center for Science. The company believes that their system will not only perform fundamental quantum experiments and raise interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) but will also advance university science around quantum computing in general.
Addressing Challenges in Quantum Computing Education
IQM Spark aims to address three major challenges in quantum computing education: availability, learning resources, and affordability. By making quantum computer hardware available to scientists and students, the company hopes to boost scientific progress and educate the next generation of quantum experts. This could pave the way for students at Bavarian universities, such as Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) and Technical University of Munich (TUM), to become entrepreneurs in the field of quantum technologies.
“We’ve designed this offering for universities and research labs to build up their quantum expertise and we believe that our system will not only perform fundamental quantum experiments and raise interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) but we will also advance university science around quantum computing in general, while addressing the shortage of talent and providing value for the job market,”
Dr. Björn Pötter, Head of Product at IQM Quantum Computers
“VTT and IQM successfully collaborated in delivering Finland’s first quantum computer in 2021. The 5-qubit quantum computer enables users to take the first steps in developing quantum algorithms and learn how to utilise the new technology in practice” – Pekka Pursula, Research Manager in Quantum Technologies at VTT
“On-premises quantum hardware is only available from a very limited number of vendors. This fact alone makes it hard for us to provide this leading-edge hardware to our scientists. Pricing and missing learning resources make it even harder to make this leading-edge technology available for educational purposes for our students,”
Prof. Dr. Dieter Kranzlmüller, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre
“IQM Spark will address three major challenges: availability, learning resources, and affordability. In that way, universities can give practical experience to the next generation of quantum computing experts,”
Prof. Dr. Dieter Kranzlmüller, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre
“Making on-premises quantum computer hardware available to our scientists and students as a low-barrier resource will give a boost to scientific progress and educate the next generation of quantum experts. This paves the way for students in Bavarian universities, such as Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) and Technical University of Munich (TUM) students, to become entrepreneurs in the field of quantum technologies and live up to the excellence claim of the Munich universities,” – Prof. Dr. Dieter Kranzlmüller, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre
Summary
IQM Quantum Computers has launched ‘IQM Spark’, a superconducting quantum computer designed for universities and research labs, which comes pre-installed with a 5-qubit quantum processing unit and offers tailored learning experiences. The system aims to provide students with hands-on learning about quantum computing, facilitate the development of quantum algorithms, and help address the talent shortage in the quantum computing field.
- IQM Quantum Computers, a European company, has launched “IQM Spark”, a superconducting quantum computer aimed at universities and research labs worldwide.
- The system, priced under one million euros, comes pre-installed with a 5-qubit quantum processing unit, with options for more qubits for a variety of research experiments.
- IQM Spark will be installed at the user’s premises, and universities will receive free maintenance for one year.
- IQM will also provide training and learning materials through IQM Academy, an online platform, to help students at all levels learn about quantum computing.
- Dr. Kuan Yen Tan, Chief Technology Officer and Co-founder of IQM Quantum Computers, and Dr. Björn Pötter, Head of Product at IQM Quantum Computers, emphasised the importance of quantum education and research.
- IQM has already delivered 5-qubit quantum computers to institutions including the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre in Germany.
- The quantum computer at VTT is connected to LUMI, Europe’s most powerful supercomputer.
- Prof. Dr. Dieter Kranzlmüller, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre, highlighted the challenges of availability, learning resources, and affordability that IQM Spark aims to address.
