Quantum Computers for High-Performance Computing

Abstract

Quantum computing systems are developing rapidly as powerful solvers for a variety of real-world calculations. Traditionally, many of these same applications are solved using conventional high-performance computing (HPC) systems, which have progressed sharply through decades of hardware and software improvements. Here, we present a perspective on the motivations and challenges of pairing quantum computing systems with modern HPC infrastructure. We outline considerations and requirements for the use cases, macroarchitecture, microarchitecture, and programming models needed to integrate near-term quantum computers with HPC system, and we conclude with the expectation that such efforts are well within reach of current technology.