By linking quantum and GPU computing, researchers can now run large-scale simulations and hybrid workloads more efficiently.
Quantum computers compute with qubits, totally differently from normal computers, but these qubits are unstable and make frequent errors. To fix them, quantum systems need help from powerful classical computers that can quickly run correction algorithms. The problem is that current connections between quantum processors and classical systems are too slow for this real-time correction.
NVIDIA’s new NVQLink aims to solve this problem. It is a high-speed data link that directly connects quantum processors to GPU-based supercomputers. The link allows data to move between the two systems almost instantly, making it possible to control and correct qubits as they work.
Here’s how it functions: during a calculation, the quantum processor sends data about its qubits to the GPU system. The GPUs then analyse this information, calculate any corrections needed, and send those corrections back through NVQLink. This happens continuously, helping the quantum system stay stable and accurate.
NVQLink works with NVIDIA’s CUDA-Q software, which lets developers run quantum and classical computing together within the same program. This integration helps create hybrid systems that can handle complex problems in materials science, chemistry, and advanced simulations much faster than traditional computers alone.
The setup combines the strengths of both systems. The quantum processor handles quantum-specific tasks like molecular simulations or encryption, while the GPUs handle fast data processing and control tasks. This “hybrid” approach helps researchers use quantum computers more effectively and scale them for larger experiments.
NVIDIA developed NVQLink with several U.S. research centres, including Brookhaven, Fermilab, Lawrence Berkeley, Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, Pacific Northwest, Sandia, and MIT Lincoln Laboratories. The technology also supports many quantum hardware and controller developers, making it easier to connect different quantum systems.
