ORNL and Quantum Brilliance Are Shaping the Future of Hybrid Quantum-Classical Computing

A groundbreaking collaboration between Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Quantum Brilliance is integrating Quantum Brilliance’s commercial quantum computer cluster into the classical Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF). These  pioneering hybrid computing models are ramping up to transform scientific discovery and innovation gloablly.

Scaling Up Hybrid Integration

This partnership marks a pivotal step in moving hybrid computing from experimental phases into the heart of national high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. ORNL’s strategy involves co-scheduling quantum and classical resources, fine-tuning performance, and orchestrating complex workflows. These efforts are tightly woven into the lab’s broader mission to fuel innovation, boost energy efficiency, enhance competitiveness, and strengthen national security.

Room-Temperature Quantum Brilliance: A Game Changer

Unlike most quantum machines that require extreme cold, Quantum Brilliance’s diamond-based quantum processing units (QPUs) operate at room temperature. This unique approach slashes infrastructure costs and complexity, while enabling integration with existing CPUs and GPUs. The installed cluster at ORNL’s Advanced Computing Ecosystem testbed features three Quantum Development Kits (QDKs), each with two qubits, providing a powerful platform for parallel quantum experimentation.

Driving Innovation in Computing Methods

With access to Quantum Brilliance’s technology, ORNL researchers are developing innovative computing methods. These include parallelized quantum algorithms and deeply integrated hybrid workflows with existing HPC systems. 

The practical experimentation enabled by the QDK cluster will help shape the engineering roadmap for future computing systems that blend quantum and classical resources, potentially scaling to hundreds or millions of quantum devices alongside supercomputers.

Key Advantages of Diamond-Based QPUs

• Room-temperature operation: Diamond’s natural stability prevents loss of quantum information due to heat or electromagnetic noise, removing the need for expensive cooling systems.
  
  
• Compact and energy-efficient: Small form factors enable easy deployment in data centers and supercomputing facilities, reducing energy and space requirements.
  
  
• Scalable parallelization: Multiple QPUs can work in tandem, supporting scalable hybrid workflows for applications in machine learning, chemistry, and beyond.

Global Vision and Impact

Mark Luo, CEO of Quantum Brilliance, emphasizes the global implications of this partnership. By embedding GPU-sized quantum systems in world-leading HPC environments, this collaboration demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale hybrid deployments and sets the stage for quantum and classical computers to tackle complex scientific challenges together.

The Road Ahead

This collaboration is a strategic initiative to develop workforce skills, guide new research directions, and speed up the adoption of hybrid computing in both science and industry. As ORNL and Quantum Brilliance advance their testbed, their findings will inform future software, hardware integration, and computational workflows, ultimately shaping the evolution of scientific computing.

Takeaway

The integration of Quantum Brilliance’s room-temperature quantum technology into ORNL’s HPC ecosystem is setting a new standard for hybrid computing. This partnership not only validates practical hybrid architectures but also signals a major shift toward scalable, energy-efficient, and forward-looking computing solutions for the challenges of tomorrow.

Source: Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility