VTT, IQM Launch First 50-qubit Quantum Computer Developed in Europe

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VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and IQM Quantum Computers, one of the global leaders in superconducting quantum computers, have completed and launched Europe’s first 50-qubit superconducting quantum computer, now open to researchers and companies through the VTT QX quantum computing service.

The new 50-qubit quantum computer further strengthens Finland’s position among the countries capable of developing and investing in quantum computing. Finland first announced its efforts in quantum computing development back in November 2020 with a total budget of EUR 20.7 million from the Finnish government to develop a 50-qubit quantum computer.

The 50-qubit quantum computer opens today for use by companies and researchers in universities and research institutes through the VTT QC quantum computing service. The quantum computer offers industries an opportunity to develop applications for quantum computing and to work on them in a practical way.

“Developing and building a 50-qubit quantum computer demonstrates that Finland is one of the global leaders in the field. With this quantum computer, we can develop applications and new algorithms for material modeling and simulation, optimization problems, and artificial intelligence,” says Erja Turunen, Executive Vice President, VTT. 

“Now is the perfect time for companies to consider how quantum computing could benefit them in their own business. Leadership in critical technologies like quantum computing is crucial for Finnish society. We need to be capable of both building the required hardware as well as using it for practical applications. Now with the 50-qubit quantum computer completed, it is time for the applications development by the entire Finnish ecosystem,” she continues.

The project was phased into three parts so the community in Finland can take advantage of the new technology as early as possible. The 5-qubit quantum computer was completed in 2021. In the spring of 2022, it was connected to the Internet via CSC’s LUMI supercomputer for the use of Finnish researchers and later also more widely for business users. 

The 20-qubit computer was completed in 2023, and in the third phase, it was upgraded to 50 qubits. A 50-qubit quantum computer is capable of performing such calculations which are not anymore possible with a classical computer, making this a significant milestone. Thanks to the new chip technology, it was possible to significantly reduce computer noise and increase the number of qubits used in calculations.

"The delivery of this quantum computer is a significant milestone in our technology roadmap towards large-scale quantum computing with applications in quantum machine learning, optimization, or simulations,” says Dr. Jan Goetz, Co-CEO and Co-founder of IQM Quantum Computers. “Our collaboration with VTT to develop the 50-qubit system serves as a baseline for our IQM Radiance 54-qubit quantum computer, a product we are shipping to our customers worldwide. We are now at full speed to deliver on the growing demand for our quantum computers to drive scientific breakthroughs and ultimately reach quantum advantage," he discloses. 

Quantum computers were developed as a joint development project, where both parties, VTT and IQM, developed part of the technology. VTT especially developed the superconducting TWPA amplifiers, used for readout of the qubit signals, as well as quantum processor chip-level integration and packaging solutions. The superconducting TWPA amplifiers developed and manufactured by VTT are currently the world’s leading components, and they are in high demand within the quantum technology industry in Europe. VTT’s spin-off company, Arctic Instruments, is commercializing VTT’s TWPA technology. 

VTT also made significant leaps forward in the manufacturing of qubits and integration technologies, and VTT is now offering them as a commercial service. The manufacturing methods used in quantum technologies now include the Josephson junction technology, superconducting Through Silicon Vias (TSVs) and superconducting flip chip integration methods. During the innovative 50-qubit quantum computer co-development, VTT also launched another quantum technology spin-off, SemiQon, which is developing semiconducting qubits. 

Finland's quantum technology business ecosystem is growing, with multiple new startup companies emerging in the last few years. The BusinessQ community, operating as part of InstituteQ, Finland’s quantum technology research and development ecosystem, brings together different actors in the Finnish quantum value chain. BusinessQ currently has more than 25 companies as its members, from technology developers to end-users. The new quantum computer provides new opportunities for the companies in the ecosystem to develop commercial applications and products, deploy quantum technology, and build new business. 

The new 50-qubit quantum computer is located at VTT’s premises in Micronova in Espoo, Finland.