Q-Loop

IRT Nanoelec brings together a group of partners to accelerate the advent of the quantum computer. The aim is to prepare for the scaling up of qubit control systems and to define control and command technologies for the computer. From 2024, this R&D programme will receive €65 million over six years.

The quantum computer, by performing its operations on qubits whose two quantum states are superposed, should allow a large number of possible states to be represented with a limited number of qubits. Such a system will enable the simultaneous processing of several values, and thus significantly accelerate certain processes compared to the so-called classical computer.

It will therefore be applicable to solving complex problems, difficult or even impossible to solve with a classical computer, in many application areas, particularly for solving combinatorial optimisation problems and/or requiring immense computing capacities: for example, in logistics, finance, to develop weather forecasting models and climate services, applications and mastery of artificial intelligence, designing new materials or modelling chemical reactions at the molecular scale to develop new drugs.

To achieve such computing capabilities, quantum computers with a large number of entangled qubits and a low error rate for each elementary operation are required. Two major challenges face technologists tasked with designing tomorrow’s computer exploiting the properties of quantum physics:

• the ability to reliably manufacture qubits (basic units of computation) using mass production processes at low unit cost;
• the ability to control qubits with an ergonomic human-machine interface.

Launched by the French government as part of its national strategy on quantum technologies, the Grand Défi LSQ aims to overcome barriers to the “scaling up” of solid-state qubits necessary for the advent of LSQ computers. Scaling up refers to the ability to equip oneself with industrial processes to mass-produce standardised and reliable quantum computing qubits.

To structure the technological value chain of the actors necessary for the emergence of these industrial processes, Nanoelec is launching an unprecedented programme dedicated to LSQ. The objective is to demonstrate a control-command chain that validates the ability to control, in the future, a quantum computer equipped with a large number of qubits.

The Q-Loop programme of Nanoelec is focused on the development of the control and programming chain of solid-state qubits. It brings together very different and complementary actors along the value chain necessary for the production and maintenance, in the long term, of the components of the quantum computer control system. It establishes strong collaboration between key industrial players in the semiconductor sector, centres of excellence in quantum electronics R&D and emerging players in the quantum field. It associates partners already members of the IRT Nanoelec.

Together, these actors will tackle technological challenges, particularly innovative solutions in electronics, integrated photonics and 3D stacking and packaging technologies compatible with cryogenic operation, as well as real-time hardware-implemented software error correction solutions and couple them with an accelerated capacity for R&D to industry transfer.

Complementary to the development of qubit technologies themselves, the Q-Loop programme will enable France to master future quantum computer production lines. It is funded by France 2030 and industrial contributions to the tune of more than €65 million, over six years from 2024.

Missions of the board

• 1 | Monitor the progress of the work and advise the management team on the technical and scientific choices of the programme and on potential evolutions of the project roadmap;
• 2 | Ensure coordination with other programmes of the national quantum strategy; By uniting the efforts of the State, startups, industrialists and private investors, it aims to consolidate French leadership and catalyse the emergence of world-class industrial leaders by the end of the decade.
• 3 | Identify opportunities for collaboration with other teams in order to take advantage of useful or necessary skills, whether they are available in university laboratories or industrial organisations.

Membres

• Sabine Mehr Head of Quantum Computing / Chief Quantum Projects Officer at GENCI (GENCI)
• Adrian Ionescu, Professor at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Xsensio SA (EPFL, Suisse)
• Marc Duranton (CEA-List, Paris-Saclay), Senior Fellow
• Jean-Luc Sauvageot (CEA Irfu, Paris Saclay)
• Felicien Schopfer (LNE : Laboratoire National d’Essais)
• Matthieu Delbecq (ENS) Associate Professor / Maître de conférence (HDR) at Sorbonne Université – ENS Paris – Laboratoire de Physique de l’ENS
• Ian O’Connor, Distinguished Professor at Ecole Centrale de Lyon (EC Lyon)

Ressources in French