Planqc’s 1,000-qubit System Gains First Hardware At LRZ

Approximately 800 kilograms of equipment, including a custom server cabinet, laser hardware, and a computing rack, has arrived at the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre, marking a shift from demonstration to deployment for planqc’s 1,000-qubit neutral-atom quantum computer. The delivery signifies the project is on schedule, having already achieved Technology Readiness Level 5 with its 1,000-qubit demonstrator, MAQCS says.

Funded with nearly €20 million from the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, the MAQCS project pairs planqc, LRZ, and the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in building a universally programmable quantum computer. “The next stage of MAQCS is focused on reaching TRL 6–7,” says a project spokesperson, “turning a proven 1,000-qubit demonstrator into a system that can operate reliably as part of LRZ’s day-to-day computing environment.”

MAQCS Project: 1,000-Qubit Hardware Arrives at LRZ

The arrival of an 800-kilogram shipment at the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) marks a critical transition for the MAQCS project; planqc’s hardware now undergoes on-site testing in preparation for integration with LRZ’s existing infrastructure. Unlike superconducting qubit systems, neutral-atom architectures do not require extensive cryogenic cooling, though they still demand precise environmental control to maintain laser system stability. Planqc addressed this need by designing a dedicated server cabinet to isolate the sensitive laser hardware from vibrations, humidity, and acoustic noise while providing necessary water cooling.