LUMI supercomputer powers IQM’s quantum processors optimisation

In recent years, the strong connection and mutual benefits between supercomputers and quantum computing have become more evident. Finnish-based IQM is a global leader in superconducting quantum computers. IQM provides both on-premises full-stack quantum computers and a cloud platform for accessing its computers. IQM has utilized the LUMI supercomputer to conduct electromagnetic simulations as part of its R&D efforts.

IQM’s customers include leading high-performance computing centres, research labs, universities, and enterprises, which have full access to IQM’s software and hardware. IQM has over 300 employees with headquarters in Finland and a global presence in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Spain, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States.

Elmer collaboration led IQM to the LUMI supercomputer

CSC has been an active developer of Elmer software based on the finite element method. The use of Elmer software led IQM to a computing collaboration with CSC. IQM learned about the possibility of using LUMI through collaboration with CSC experts and by attending high-performance computing conferences in Finland.

Simulation of quantum processing units (QPUs) presents new challenges for finite element simulations due to complex geometries and exotic material models.

– It has been thrilling to see how our finite element software has been used to model QPUs. This was not planned when the physical models were added to the code many years ago, says Dr. Peter Råback, who leads Elmer development at CSC.

– We have been able to run complex classical electromagnetic simulations using Elmer to optimize our QPU components, which has led to significant improvements in our product development, says Juha Hassel, VP of Quantum Technologies at IQM.

LUMI’s power and scalability in computing

IQM has a strong tradition in using high-performance computing resources, including cloud-based services and local computing clusters.

– However, we’ve had such good experiences of collaboration with CSC, and we were looking for a powerful and scalable solution, which led us to LUMI, one of the world’s leading supercomputers. We were able to get started with our LUMI use as a riskless Try & Buy project. Since the results were good and the experience positive, we decided to buy computing time after the trial period, Hassel tells.

Valuable optimization support from CSC 

According to Hassel, the deployment went smoothly, and the instructions provided by CSC were clear and concise. However, IQM required expert support from CSC to optimize their Elmer simulations.

– CSC’s Elmer team was helpful and responsive, which ensured a quick turnaround. This work was also partly done as part of the OpenSuperQPlus, a European Quantum Technology Flagship project, says Hassel.

Great benefits from using LUMI

Using LUMI has brought IQM several benefits, including access to vast computing resources that wouldn’t otherwise be available.

– Additionally, we were able to present our results at the APS Global Physics Summit in the US – one of the largest physics conferences, which helped boost our company image as one of the leaders in the field. For our customers, this means we can provide more advanced and efficient quantum computing solutions, Hassel notes.

IQM’s use of LUMI also has the potential to contribute to long-term societal benefits. More efficient and powerful quantum computing solutions can accelerate breakthroughs in fields such as medicine, materials science, logistics, and climate modeling. This can lead to improvements in healthcare, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. In short, LUMI helps accelerate progress in quantum computing.

Sustainability in focus

IQM considers sustainable development goals essential when choosing tools for product development.

– We strive to minimize our environmental footprint and ensure that our products and services contribute to a more sustainable future, Hassel says.

IQM’s experiments with LUMI continue. The company has plans to upscale their models and use LUMI more extensively in the future. They also intend to explore other types of computations related to quantum simulations, which will require LUMI’s powerful resources.

– By leveraging LUMI’s capabilities, we aim to continue pushing the boundaries of quantum computing and driving innovation in our field, Hassel concludes.

Image: IQM