PASQuanS will perform a decisive transformative step for quantum simulation towards programmable analogue simulators addressing questions in fundamental science, materials development, quantum chemistry and real-world problems of high importance in industry. PASQuanS builds on the impressive achievements of the most advanced quantum simulation platforms, based on atoms and ions. The neutral-atom simulators handle more than 50 cold atoms in optical lattices or arrays of optical tweezers, interacting via either collisional or Rydberg-state-mediated interactions. The ion-trap platform reaches unsurpassed control with up to 20 ions. By scaling up these platforms towards >1000 atoms/ions, by improving control methods and making these simulators fully programmable, PASQuanS will push these already well-advanced platforms far beyond both the state-of-the-art and the reach of classical computation. Full programmability will make it possible to address quantum annealing or optimization problems much sooner than digital quantum computation. PASQuanS will demonstrate a quantum advantage for non-trivial problems, paving the way towards practical and industrial applications. PASQuanS tightly unites five experimental groups with complementary methods to achieve the technological goals, connected with six theoretical teams focusing on certification, control techniques and applications of the programmable platforms, and five industrial partners in charge of the key developments of enabling technologies and possible commercial spin-offs of the project. PASQuanS will result in modular building blocks for a future generation of quantum simulators. Possible end-users of these simulators, major industrial actors, are tightly associated with the consortium. In a cross-fertilization process, they will be engaged in a dialogue on quantum simulation, and help to identify and implement key applications where quantum simulation provides a competitive advantage.

The project Programmable Atomic Large-scale Quantum Simulation (PASQuanS2.1) is the first decisive step toward the transformation of the European landscape for programmable quantum simulators, finally delivering internationally leading platforms involving over 1000 neutral atoms in optical tweezer arrays and also in optical lattices. In the context of this Specific Grant Agreement, we will bring together partners from academia and industry (including technology enablers, platform developers, and end-users) to address central technological challenges. We will connect technologies across national borders and use our combined expertise and technologies to scale up the system size, reduce noise and temperature, and improve stability. We will test and transfer know-how between trapped ion and neutral atom platforms and integrate the hardware with application-specific software stacks for analogue solutions of relevant real-world problems, including verification and optimal control techniques. We will facilitate the expansion and networking of the supply chain and startup companies delivering platforms, en-route to the delivery of technology readiness level (TRL) 6-7 quantum simulators, including both cloud-based platforms, and quantum simulators linked with existing high-performance computing infrastructure. We will work with the end-user community across academia and industry to identify new specific applications where quantum simulators provide a practical quantum advantage over traditional high-performance computing. We will particularly address potential applications in materials science, quantum chemistry and in optimisation. We deliver a clear plan for dissemination, exploitation, and communication. This includes developing and protecting intellectual property, and to expand awareness of quantum simulators and their capability and applications amongst policy makers, industry, and the general public.

The Framework for Programmable Atomic Large-scale Quantum Simulation (PASQuanS2) aims to transform the European landscape for programmable quantum simulators, delivering internationally leading platforms involving over 1000 neutral atoms in optical tweezer arrays and also in optical lattices. Over a Framework Partnership Agreement delivering two Specific Grant Agreements, we will bring together partners from academia and industry (including technology enablers, platform developers, and end-users) to address central technological challenges. We will connect technologies across national borders and use our combined expertise and technologies to further scale up the system size, reduce noise and temperature, and improve stability. We will test and transfer know-how between trapped ion and neutral atom platforms and integrate the hardware with application-specific software stacks for analogue solutions of relevant real-world problems, including verification and optimal control techniques. We will facilitate the expansion and networking of the supply chain and startup companies delivering platforms, ensuring the ultimate delivery of technology readiness level (TRL) 6-7 quantum simulators, including both cloud-based platforms, and quantum simulators linked with existing high-performance computing infrastructure. We will work with the end-user community across academia and industry to identify new specific applications where quantum simulators provide a practical quantum advantage over traditional high-performance computing. We will particularly address potential applications in materials science, quantum chemistry, logistics, and optimisation – which are relevant across many sectors. We will also deliver a clear plan for dissemination, exploitation, and communication. This will include developing and protecting intellectual property, and to expand awareness of quantum simulators and their capability and applications amongst policy makers, industry, and the general public.