The Institute for Software Technology has been researching quantum computing since 2015 as one of the first DLR institutes. The "Quantum Computing" research group is part of the High-Performance Computing department. The group's central tasks include the development and research of algorithms and software for early quantum computers. The research group consists of PostDocs, PhD students as well as Master students. DLR's research on quantum computers is supported by a federal initiative of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action with approximately 740 million euros over a period of 2021-2025.
The potential of quantum computers
Quantum computers promise extreme runtime improvements for certain application problems that cannot currently be solved with conventional computers. While computational tasks on classical computers are processed with bits that have either the state zero or one, quantum computers operate on the basis of qubits that can assume many different states simultaneously. Algorithms that make optimal use of these properties can demonstrate an advantage over classical algorithms.
Our Approach: Hardware-based Software Development for Quantum Computers
Due to the early stage of development of quantum computers, it is necessary to understand the basic operation of such machines. Only then will it be possible to demonstrate a quantum advantage for a relevant application problem.
Therefore, the group takes a holistic approach, called hardware-software codesign. Here, the development is considered from the application to the quantum computing hardware. This means close collaboration with both potential users and basic researchers. These are, for example, the Jülich Research Center as well as the NASA Quantum Artificial Intelligience Laboratory (QuAIL), as one of the world's leading groups on application-oriented quantum computer research.
Quantum Compilation
The Institute for Software Technology develops strategies for mapping quantum algorithms on quantum computers taking into account significant hardware limitations (quantum compilation). The experience gained is used to identify and develop suitable algorithms and applications.
Algorithms for early quantum computers
Current machines and those that will exist in the near future are not yet suitable for quantum algorithms that require quantum error correction. These machines are also known as Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum computers (NISQ). However, there are candidate quantum algorithms that can be implemented on these quantum computers that have the potential to outperform classical algorithms (see the EQUATE project for more information). These include, for example, variational quantum algorithms such as the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA), which can solve combinatorial optimization problems such as those encountered in satellite mission planning or optimal traffic routing. The Quantum Computing group studies and develops such algorithms, focusing on applications from combinatorial optimization and quantum simulation.
Selected Publications