The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking has achieved a critical milestone with the inauguration of Pasqal’s Jade and Ruby quantum processors at Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) and Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), respectively. These next-generation quantum processing units (QPUs), based on arrays of trapped and laser-manipulated neutral atoms, have been successfully integrated into high-performance computing (HPC) environments on November 13, 2025. This achievement delivers on the European Commission’s 2030 Digital Compass ambition for quantum acceleration and establishes a foundational step towards a federated EuroHPC quantum–HPC infrastructure for both industrial and research applications.
Quantum Processors: Jade and Ruby Inauguration
The inauguration of “Jade” and “Ruby” quantum processors at Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) and CEA marks a pivotal step towards practical quantum computing in Europe. These next-generation processors, built by Pasqal, boast control of over 100 qubits each and utilize a neutral atom technology operating at room temperature. Crucially, they’ve been integrated directly into existing high-performance computing (HPC) environments – a key component of the HPCQS project – paving the way for hybrid quantum-classical algorithms and applications.
This integration isn’t just about hardware. The HPCQS project developed a specialized software stack—including SLURM, Eviden Qaptiva, and the Pasqal SDK—to seamlessly connect the quantum processors to Europe’s supercomputers. This allows researchers to leverage familiar HPC workflows and workload management systems, simplifying access to quantum capabilities. Demonstrations showcasing applications in areas like battery design and drug discovery highlight the potential for accelerated scientific innovation.
Funded by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, this initiative directly supports the European Commission’s “Digital Compass” goal of quantum acceleration by 2025. By linking quantum processors to Tier-0 supercomputers, the HPCQS project establishes Europe as a leader in quantum computing, reinforcing technological sovereignty and fostering a robust ecosystem for future quantum-powered advancements. The project aims to build a federated infrastructure, making these resources accessible across the continent.
Integrating Quantum Computing with HPC Infrastructure
The inauguration of “Jade” and “Ruby” quantum processors at Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) and CEA marks a pivotal step toward integrating quantum computing with existing high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure in Europe. These next-generation processors, built by Pasqal utilizing arrays of neutral atoms, are now directly connected to supercomputing centers. This isn’t just about adding quantum power; it’s about building a federated infrastructure, enabling hybrid quantum-classical algorithms to tackle complex problems in fields like battery design, drug discovery, and financial optimization.
This integration isn’t solely a hardware feat. The HPCQS project has developed a specialized software stack—including SLURM, Eviden Qaptiva, and the Pasqal SDK—to seamlessly incorporate quantum processing into familiar HPC workflows. This allows researchers to leverage quantum capabilities with minimal disruption, treating quantum processors as natural extensions of classical supercomputers. Demonstrations with systems capable of controlling over 100 qubits are already underway, showcasing the potential of this combined approach.
The HPCQS initiative, funded by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, directly supports Europe’s ambition to be a leader in quantum technology. By linking quantum processors to Tier-0 supercomputers, the project is demonstrating a practical path toward quantum acceleration – aiming to have functional quantum-integrated systems by 2025, as outlined in the 2030 Digital Compass. This collaborative effort reinforces European technological sovereignty and paves the way for breakthroughs in scientific discovery and industrial innovation.
Software and Connectivity for Hybrid Workflows
The inauguration of quantum processors “Jade” and “Ruby” at Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) and CEA marks a critical step toward practical hybrid quantum-classical computing in Europe. These Pasqal processors, boasting over 100 qubits each, are directly integrated into existing high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. This isn’t just about adding quantum power; it’s about seamless workflow integration utilizing standard workload management systems like SLURM, allowing researchers to leverage quantum resources with minimal disruption to existing processes.
Beyond hardware, a dedicated software stack is key. The HPCQS project developed interoperable solutions using components like Eviden Qaptiva, ParTec’s ParaStation Modulo, and the Pasqal SDK. This stack allows quantum processors to be embedded within industrial workflows, supporting applications in areas like battery design, drug discovery, and financial optimization. The goal is to move beyond isolated experiments and create a functioning ecosystem where quantum and classical computing collaborate effectively.
This integration is powered by room-temperature, low-power Pasqal technology utilizing arrays of neutral atoms manipulated by lasers. By linking these quantum processors to Europe’s Tier-0 supercomputers, the HPCQS initiative is demonstrating the potential for quantum acceleration in real-world scientific and industrial applications. The project, funded through the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, directly supports the European Commission’s goals for digital sovereignty and leadership in quantum computing by 2030.
European Leadership and the HPCQS Project
The HPCQS project has achieved a significant milestone with the inauguration of “Jade” and “Ruby,” two quantum processors from Pasqal, integrated directly into the high-performance computing (HPC) environments at Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) and CEA. This isn’t just about adding quantum capability; it’s about hybrid computing. These systems, controlling over 100 qubits each, are connected to Europe’s Tier-0 supercomputers, enabling researchers to explore complex problems—like battery design and financial optimization—by leveraging the strengths of both classical and quantum processing.
This integration represents a key step toward establishing a federated EuroHPC quantum-HPC infrastructure, funded in part by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking. Crucially, HPCQS isn’t reinventing the wheel; it’s building on existing infrastructure. The quantum processors interface with standard HPC workload management systems like SLURM, utilizing a software stack including Eviden Qaptiva and the Pasqal SDK. This seamless integration minimizes disruption and accelerates the adoption of quantum resources within existing scientific workflows.
The HPCQS project directly supports the European Commission’s Digital Compass goals – aiming for quantum acceleration by 2025 and leadership by 2030. By physically connecting quantum processors to supercomputers and fostering collaborative use cases, Europe is positioning itself at the forefront of quantum computing innovation. This isn’t merely a technical achievement, but a strategic move to ensure technological sovereignty and drive advancements in critical scientific and industrial fields.
