In a landmark event under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) officially launched PIAST‑Q, a 20-qubit trapped-ion quantum computer located at the Poznańskie Centrum Superkomputerowo-Sieciowe (PCSS). This marks the first EuroHPC quantum system to be inaugurated in Europe.

A Milestone for European Quantum Infrastructure

PIAST‑Q is the first of eight EuroHPC quantum computers being deployed across Europe, each exploring one of six different quantum technologies. The system uses trapped-ion technology, known for high gate fidelity, long coherence times, and straightforward integration with classical HPC systems, making it accessible for researchers, startups, and industry across Europe.

“Today’s inauguration of PIAST‑Q is a major step for Europe in entering the quantum era,” said Anders Dam Jensen, Executive Director of EuroHPC JU during the opening event. “With PIAST-Q, we are not just investing in technology, we are investing in European excellence.”

The total cost of the system is around €12.3 million, co-funded by EuroHPC JU and the Polish ministries of Digital Affairs and Science. The EuroQCS-Poland consortium, led by PSNC and including the Institute of Theoretical Physics (PAN), Creotech Instruments, and the University of Latvia, will operate the system and develop applications and educational programs.

Technical Capabilities of PIAST‑Q

Named after the Piast dynasty, the first historical ruling dynasty of Poland, PIAST-Q is a laser-based trapped-ion quantum computer. It will offer a performance of 20 physical qubits along with several unique features for European users:

  • high fidelity universal quantum gates – minimising computational errors;
  • long coherence times – providing greater circuit depths;
  • all-to-all qubit connectivity – providing greater stability and enabling programmable multi-qubit quantum gates.

PIAST‑Q is designed to operate in hybrid mode, integrating with classical supercomputers such as ALTAIR and the upcoming PIAST-AI, as well as connected to national and European research networks (PIONIER and GÉANT).

As PCSS stated, PIAST-Q is expected to offer computing resources to European users by the end of 2025, enabling hybrid quantum-classical use cases such as quantum optimisation, chemistry, materials science, and machine learning.

Source: PCSS

Poland as a Leader of Quantum Technology in Europe

With PIAST‑Q, Poland becomes the first EU country to host a EuroHPC quantum computer, positioning itself at the forefront of Europe’s sovereign and integrated AI and quantum technology infrastructure. This is a bold leap toward making Europe globally competitive in emerging tech.

Read more: www.psnc.pl

Main Photo Source: www.eurohpc-ju.europa.eu / Dariusz Standerski, Secretary of State at Poland’s Ministry of Digital Affairs; Rafał Duczmal, EuroHPC JU Governing Board; Anders Jensen, EuroHPC JU; Robert Pekal; PCSS; Krzysztof Kurowski, PCSS; Thomas Monz, AQT; Urszula Grygier-Soboń, PCSS