Barcelona Supercomputing Center to build Southern Europe's first quantum computer

Computer will be one of first to use European technology and will have a two-qubit microchip by 2022

The Marenostrum 4 at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (by BSC)
The Marenostrum 4 at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (by BSC) / Guifré Jordan

Cristina Tomàs White | Barcelona

October 29, 2021 12:20 PM

The Barcelona Supercomputing Center, a public research center in the Catalan capital, will build Southern Europe's first quantum computer, which is set to have a two-qubit microchip by 2022.

This project, which will be called 'Quantum Spain' and which was greenlighted by the Spanish government on Tuesday, will be one of the first to make use of European technology.

Researchers expect to be able to increase the number of qubits the computer has over time, although Alba Cervera, who is overseeing this project, has stressed the importance of quality over growth.

The Barcelona Supercomputing Center will also be home to the Marenostrum 5, which is set to become the most powerful computer at Barcelona's supercomputing center.

Filling the Sink

Press play below to listen to the July 24, 2021 episode on the Barcelona Supercomputing Center and the ALBA Synchrotron, two high-tech research facilities.

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