IGFAE and atlanTTic, alongside CESGA, drive Galicia’s leap into quantum computing with two new laboratories

The Galician R&D&I ecosystem is being strengthened with the creation of two new advanced research laboratories, promoted by the Galicia Supercomputing Centre (CESGA) in collaboration with the IGFAE research centre at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) and atlanTTic at the University of Vigo, both members of the CIGUS Networt – an initiative promoted by the Xunta de Galicia that brings together research centres within the Galician research system that have been accredited for their scientific excellence-.

Firstly, IGFAE, a CIGUS centre at the University of Santiago de Compostela, is working together with CESGA to develop the Quantum Computing Lab, a joint unit focused on the development of quantum technologies applied to particle and nuclear physics. The project has a budget of €2.2 million, co-financed by the Spanish PERTE Chip programme, the Conselleria de Educación, Ciencia, Universidades y FP of the Xunta de Galicia, and IGFAE itself. This infrastructure will focus on quantum simulation of processes of major relevance in particle and nuclear physics, using technologies such as ion traps and cold atoms.

The laboratory will function both as a simulator and a computer, enabling researchers to manipulate quantum systems analogous to those under study. It forms part of a European project that will enable its use as a remote-access laboratory. It will also be, for the time being, the only facility of its kind in the field of particle and nuclear physics.

This laboratory will make it possible to address highly complex scientific problems, such as the simulation of quark–gluon plasma or the study of atomic nucleus structure, tasks that are virtually intractable using classical computing. The project is led by the IGFAE team and will further strengthen the centre’s role in the development of new capabilities in quantum computing.

Meanwhile, atlanTTic, a CIGUS centre at the University of Vigo, is leading together with CESGA the Quantum Optical Computing Lab, focused on the development of optical quantum computing. This laboratory has a budget of €2.4 million, co-financed by the PERTE Chip programme and the Conselleria de Educación, Ciencia, Universidades y FP of the Xunta de Galicia, and will be located at the Vigo Quantum Communication Center (VQCC). The agreement between CESGA and atlanTTic enables the provision of research staff, equipment and technical infrastructure through a shared governance model between both institutions, covering both operational and scientific aspects.

The aim of this infrastructure is to deepen research into optical quantum computing as a dedicated experimental platform, to establish itself as a unique and open infrastructure, and to facilitate collaboration with external researchers through common protocols. Its potential applications include solving complex optimisation problems by improving artificial intelligence algorithms, as well as the development of new materials, logistics, healthcare planning and bioinformatics. In addition, this laboratory will position Galicia within the experimental platform of the future European AI Factory, thanks to its synergies and its potential for executing AI algorithms more efficiently.