The first quantum computer in Poland, which uses superconducting qubit technology at low temperatures, has been launched at WUST. The five-qubit machine named „Odra 5” was developed and delivered by IQM Quantum Computers, a world leader in superconducting quantum computers.

The machine has been installed in the Wrocław Centre for Networking and Supercomputing, at Wrocław University of Science and Technology and will allow research mainly in the field of computer science. The system will be made available to scientists, doctoral candidates, and students. We also plan to establish new specialisations, and ultimately a study programme in the field of quantum computing.

– I feel this is a special moment, because I am a quantum physicist and I worked on quantum computations very theoretically at a time when it seemed impossible. The idea of performing such calculations is not that old, and dates back to the 1980s. Now, several decades later, our university has the first quantum computer not only in Poland but also in this part of Europe. I hope that in years to come we will be able to say that this was the start of a new era of quantum computing – said Prof. Arkadiusz Wójs, the rector of Wrocław University of Science and Technology, during the ceremony.

Prof. Jacek Oko, the president of the Office of Electronic Communications, added that attention should be paid not only to quantum computing, but also to the quantum internet, which is a very secure and efficient solution that could also revolutionise many fields in the future. “Recent experiments worldwide indicate that it might be possible to construct it in the form of hybrid networks, that is, through existing fibre optic infrastructures, which I hope will also be possible owing to our research – he noted.

Anna Sobolak, who sits on the Parliamentary Committee for Digitisation, Innovation and Modern Technologies, as well as on the Subcommittee on Artificial Intelligence, emphasised that the opening of the quantum computer is a historic event in the context of the development of quantum technologies.

– Together with the Ministry of Digital Affairs, we have initiated a dialogue and, at the invitation of Prof. Arkadiusz Wójs, we will visit Wrocław University of Science and Technology along with members of the subcommittee to discuss the future not only of the university but also of our country in the area of cybersecurity and many other fields – said Anna Sobolak.

First in this part of Europe

No other such a quantum computer based on the low-temperature superconducting qubit technology can be found in our country, or in Central and Eastern Europe. The „IQM Spark" model weighs one and a half tonnes and stands three metres tall, with its distinctive cryostat surrounded by a metal cylinder hanging from the ceiling. The technical specimen is based on low-temperature superconducting qubits technology and operates at a temperature of 10 mK (millikelvin), which is -273.14°C.

– From the perspective of our Faculty, this is obviously a wonderful thing because it opens new research opportunities, and in the future, we are also considering launching a special field of study dedicated to quantum computing. A new student research club dedicated to quantum computing issues has already been established at our institution and has garnered significant interest from students. We have a unique opportunity to be at the forefront when it comes to research and learning in this area, and I hope we will take advantage of it – emphasised Prof. Andrzej Kucharski, the dean of our Faculty.

Prof. Wojciech Bożejko, the head of the Department of Control Systems and Mechatronics at Wrocław University of Science and Technology, explained that quantum computers are needed where classical ones are no longer sufficient.

– If we have twice as many regular computers, we have twice the computing power. With qubits, the power is doubled with just one more qubit. By adding 10 qubits, we increase the computing power by 1,024 times. Quantum computers are thus an enticing alternative. They allow us to tackle problems we haven't been able to handle until now. We can already use them today for optimising transport or scheduling factory work – explains Prof. Bożejko.

The IQM Spark is a quantum computer tailored to the needs of universities and research laboratories. The device is prepared to work with leading quantum computing environments, including Qiskit, which uses the Python language. It will provide a basis for learning how to operate these technologies on a larger scale. With the purchase and commissioning of the five-qubit machine, Wrocław University of Science and Technology also gains access to larger machines, 20 and over 50-qubit, installed at the IQM company's centre in Alto, Finland.

– We believe that our system will play a crucial role in enabling scientists and engineers to harness the potential of quantum technology and build a vibrant community of quantum experts for the future – adds Sylwia Barthel de Weydenthal, Commercial Director and Country Director for the Central and Eastern European market at IQM.

The ceremony also symbolically inaugurated the operation of the Lem supercomputer.

Last year it made it twice to the TOP500 list of the world's fastest computers, with the computing power of 20.37 PFLOPS. In 2024, it was ranked 80th on the TOP500 list of the world's fastest computers, and at that time, it was one of the three fastest computing machines in Poland.

Both events were related to the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Wrocław Centre for Networking and Supercomputing (WCSS) at Wrocław University of Science and Technology. They are accompanied by a two-day popular science conference dedicated to topics related to cybersecurity, the use of artificial intelligence in heart imaging, weather modelling, and training large language models. Live streaming of the conference is available on the WCSS YouTube channel.

WCSS is a unit of Wrocław University of Science and Technology, which for three decades has been actively supporting the scientific community, public institutions, and the industrial sector, acting as a technology partner.

It specialises in developing network and supercomputing infrastructure, offers advanced data storage and processing services, and engages in activities in the areas of IT security, HPC, grids, cloud computing, and optimisation of scientific applications. It maintains and develops the Wrocław Academic Computer Network (WASK), providing connectivity and technological support to numerous institutions in the region and in the country.

IQM Quantum Computers is a global leader in the field of superconducting quantum computers. The company provides both local full-stack quantum computers and a cloud platform for accessing its computers. IQM's clients include leading high-performance computing centres, research laboratories, universities, and enterprises that have full access to IQM software and hardware. It employs over 280 staff and has offices in Espoo, Munich, Paris, Madrid, Colorado, Singapore, Tokyo, and Warsaw.