NERSC users will have access to IBM’s System Two quantum computer. - Credit: Christopher Tirrell, IBM
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 with 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 can explore quantum circuits tailored to research problems spanning various 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 users access to IBM’s latest quantum systems and resources, including training and support, and helps 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.
“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 understand user needs better 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 of 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.”
About NERSC and Berkeley Lab
The National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) is the mission computing facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, the nation’s single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences.
Located at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), NERSC serves 11,000 scientists at national laboratories and universities researching a wide range of problems in climate, fusion energy, materials sciences, physics, chemistry, computational biology, and other disciplines. An average of 2,000 peer-reviewed science results a year rely on NERSC resources and expertise, which has also supported the work of six Nobel prize-winning individuals and teams.
NERSC is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science User Facility.