Interview: Georges-Olivier Reymond, CEO at Pasqal

Ahead of Quantum.Tech Europe taking place on 19th - 21st September, we caught up with Georges Olivier-Reymond, CEO at PASQAL to explore their work around acheiving 1000 qubits by 2023 and what Georges is looking forward to the most at Quantum.Tech Europe. 

Are you confident of 1000 qubits by 2023? How’s the timeline looking?

We are nicely on track. In August 2022, PASQAL realized an array of 324 atoms which is in line with our roadmap to reach 1000 qubits by 2023. 

You recently said you are trying ‘to make quantum computing accessible across industries through neutral atom technology,’ can you tell us more about this?

Neutral atoms quantum processors are the most promising for delivering near-term quantum advantage. This is due to the combination of superior scaling (# of qubits), the quality of our qubits (neutral atoms are created by nature and therefore in principle flawless) and because of our analog and analog-digital capabilities (analog computational mode has recently shown to be 10k-100k times more efficient than digital quantum computing: ref to QEK and to recent Troyer/Reiher paper). We are working closely together with many corporates to develop concrete applications which we believe are promising candidates for this early quantum advantage, for instance:

• - PASQAL and BMW are developing methods to accurately simulate the bending of complex shaped metal, for instance so that physical crash tests can (partly) be replaced by digital simulations
• - PASQAL and BASF are developing quantum powered solutions to predict weather patterns more accurately
• - PASQAL and EDF are developing quantum powered methods to help deal with the increasing complexity of the electricity grid as more and more electric cars, solar panels and windmills are connected to the grid
• - PASQAL and CACIB are developing quantum methods which help to predict and optimize financial risks

How can PASQAL’s solutions help process automation for major corporates?

We see quantum as a next generation in high performance computing and therefore it is part of the broader digital transformation (or automation) which all of our clients are going through. Within this general digital transformation, we believe our quantum solutions will assist corporates in three ways:

• - Time to market of new products and technology will dramatically shorten because quantum enables laboratory experiments to be replaced with highly accurate digital simulations
• - Core infrastructure like energy grids, communication networks, financial markets, and even physical distribution, will become much more efficient and reliable, because quantum will accurately model and optimize such complex systems
• - And, likely most impactful: currently unimaginable novel product and technology categories will emerge, because quantum enables can find solutions for problems which were previously simply too complex to solve (think novel energy feedstocks, drugs for currently uncurable diseases, …)

What are you looking forward to the most from sponsoring Quantum.Tech Europe this September?

These are very exciting times because the sector is so close to showcasing the first examples of industry relevant quantum advantage in the next few years. You can feel this excitement at every industry event and with all stakeholders: industry, government and academics are rallying behind this common goal. Therefore, also for Quantum Tech Europe, we are looking forward to hearing a lot about the concrete, real-world, applications of quantum which the sector is developing.

Want to hear more from Lucas Béguin, VP Hardware Engineering at PASQAL ? Register here to hear Lucas speak at Quantum.Tech Europe on the 19th September at the Platforms and Processors Evaluation Day and will be participating on the panel discussion on Wednesday 21st September:  How do hardware and software technology companies help enterprises prepare for the post NISQ Era?