EPFL has launched cloud access to real quantum computers through a new platform that integrates advanced quantum hardware into the university’s high-performance computing environment. Through a collaboration between the EPFL Center for Quantum Science and Engineering and SCITAS, EPFL has become the first Swiss academic institution to establish a virtual platform offering advanced quantum computing capabilities to its researchers. The platform provides access to Quantinuum quantum computers through EPFL’s SCITAS high-performance computing infrastructure.
The agreement is designed to give EPFL researchers the ability to test and refine quantum algorithms and theoretical quantum computing concepts directly on advanced quantum hardware. This is particularly relevant for research areas focused on how quantum computers may outperform classical systems, where their limitations remain, and how theoretical work can be evaluated on real devices.
“EPFL is pushing the boundaries on quantum algorithms, as evidenced by the fact that it is the first Swiss university to have a direct cloud platform for accessing an advanced quantum computer integrated within our own high-performance computing infrastructure,” explains Vincenzo Savona, professor in the School of Basic Sciences and academic director of the EPFL Center for Quantum Science and Engineering (QSE).
The platform reflects a practical access model for institutions that need advanced quantum hardware but do not operate large-scale quantum computers on site. Developing, operating, and maintaining state-of-the-art quantum systems requires significant financial and technical resources, making cloud-based access through specialized industrial providers an important pathway for academic research.
“For decades, high-performance classical computing has only been available via remote access to mainframe computers and data centers, and even more so today with the large computational power required by AI models,” added Savona.
The EPFL new cloud quantum computing access platform connects researchers to Quantinuum hardware through the SCITAS high-performance computing environment, supporting quantum algorithms, simulation, and hands-on quantum research.
Quantinuum’s systems use trapped-ion quantum computing technology. In this approach, qubits are represented by electrically charged atoms held above a chip using electromagnetic forces and controlled with lasers. The ions can be moved so selected qubits are brought together for entanglement operations and then separated again, supporting precise operations and low error rates.
He further notes, “Quantinuum’s quantum computers are among the most powerful, cleanest, most advanced quantum computers in the world with the lowest level of decoherence, and therefore closest to the ideal quantum computing behavior. They are an indispensable tool for our researchers pursuing cutting edge projects in fields such as quantum algorithms and digital quantum simulation.”
Giuseppe Carleo, an associate professor in the School of Basic Sciences and head of the Computational Quantum Science Laboratory (CQSL), said access to the hardware expands what researchers can test beyond purely theoretical or small-scale numerical work. He noted, “This gives us access to some of the very best quantum hardware currently available to the academic community, opening the door to experiments that go beyond purely theoretical or small-scale numerical studies.”
The EPFL Center for Quantum Science and Engineering worked with SCITAS to integrate access to the remote Quantinuum system through EPFL’s existing computing platform. That integration allows researchers to access quantum systems from an HPC environment they already use, rather than managing a separate workflow.
“This collaboration illustrates well the complementarity between a platform like SCITAS, focused on delivering robust, scalable high-performance computing services, and a center such as QSE, which drives transdisciplinary research in quantum computing,” added Gilles Fourestey, operational director of SCITAS. “Integrating cloud quantum computing into SCITAS’s HPC environment allows users to access remote quantum systems directly from a familiar HPC interface, without managing separate tools or workflows.”
With the quantum cloud access now integrated into EPFL’s HPC platform, scientists are able to propose research projects that require quantum hardware. The work supports research connected to quantum simulation, quantum algorithms, and investigations into whether emerging hardware can perform calculations that are difficult or potentially impossible for classical systems.
Carleo plans to explore how the hardware can be used for quantum simulation of complex many-body systems, where high-quality quantum devices may provide new research insights.
Zoë Holmes, assistant professor in the School of Basic Sciences and head of the Quantum Information and Computing Group at EPFL, will use the access to investigate the usefulness of calculations run on quantum computers. “Quantum hardware is reaching the point where it can implement calculations that are at the very least hard, and potentially impossible, to do classically,” she stated. “But it’s not clear whether they can yet be used for usefully hard calculations. This hardware access will give us a way to investigate that.”
The platform is also expected to support quantum education. The QSE Center and members of EPFL’s master’s program in Quantum Science and Engineering are studying how to make the resource available to students across campus who are studying quantum computing topics.
“The opportunity to access Quantinuum’s advanced quantum computing platforms will provide our QSE master’s students with hands-on experience with state-of-the-art quantum hardware and software tools,” further noted Nicolas Macris, a professor at IC who co-directs the master’s program. “As the technology is progressing at a fast pace, it is increasingly important for our students to develop practical skills and explore real quantum workflows.”
Savona said the value of hands-on access is comparable to other major scientific training infrastructure at EPFL.
“The reason why EPFL is a world leading university for nuclear engineering is because we have a nuclear reactor on campus for training,” adds Savona. “So, offering students access to train on a real quantum computer will bring that same level of real-world training excellence to quantum computing.”
The EPFL initiative reflects a broader shift toward hybrid research environments that combine high-performance classical computing with access to quantum hardware. For researchers working in quantum algorithms, digital quantum simulation, and emerging quantum workflows, direct access to advanced quantum systems can help bridge the gap between theoretical models and practical experimentation.
About EPFL
EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, is a public research university in Switzerland focused on science, engineering, technology, architecture, life sciences, computer science, and related disciplines. EPFL supports research and education across advanced scientific and engineering fields, including quantum science and engineering, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, materials science, photonics, and information technology. For more information, please click here.
About EPFL Center for Quantum Science and Engineering
The EPFL Center for Quantum Science and Engineering brings together researchers across disciplines to support quantum science, quantum engineering, quantum computing, and related technologies. The center supports research, education, collaboration, and innovation across EPFL’s quantum ecosystem, including work in quantum algorithms, quantum information, quantum materials, quantum simulation, and quantum hardware-related fields. For more information, please click here.
About SCITAS
SCITAS is EPFL’s high-performance computing platform, providing scalable computing services and infrastructure for EPFL researchers. The platform supports computationally intensive research across scientific and engineering fields and now provides an integrated interface for researchers accessing remote quantum computing resources. To learn more, please click here.
About Quantinuum
Quantinuum is a quantum computing company focused on quantum hardware, software, and applications. The company develops trapped-ion quantum computers and related software technologies for quantum research, enterprise applications, and scientific use cases. Its systems are used by researchers and organizations exploring quantum algorithms, quantum simulation, quantum chemistry, optimization, cybersecurity, and other emerging quantum computing applications. For more information, please click here.
Source/Photo Credit: Stephanie Parker, EEPL
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