Quantum Computing in Action: Pawsey–QuEra Case Study

In Perth, Australia, nestled within one of the nation’s premier computing hubs, the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre is collaborating with QuEra Computing to explore the practical application of quantum computing technologies. Boston-based QuEra has developed a unique platform based on neutral-atom quantum processors, designed for large-scale, noise-resilient computations. Though geographically distant, the two organizations are united by a shared commitment to advancing scientific discovery. Their collaboration focuses on identifying and developing promising quantum use cases in areas such as optimization, machine learning, and fundamental physics—laying the groundwork for future integration with high-performance computing (HPC) systems, while prioritizing real-world applications in the near term.

It’s an alliance that echoes similar initiatives around the world: HPC centers, accustomed to managing massive volumes of classical compute, are getting serious about incorporating quantum devices into their workflows. QuEra’s neutral-atom approach—leveraging the purity and abundance of atoms at room temperature—particularly resonates with Pawsey’s leadership. The resulting partnership aims to offer scientists and engineers unprecedented resources: quantum hardware and supercomputers under one roof, fully integrated, enabling hybrid workflows that can solve sub-problems with quantum speedups and then hand off the rest to conventional HPC. While quantum–HPC integration remains a compelling long-term vision, the current collaboration prioritizes the development and validation of quantum computing applications and use cases, exploring their practical potential across key research fields.

Before diving into details, it’s worth noting that Pawsey isn’t a newcomer to pioneering technologies. The center has long been the computational backbone for critical national projects, notably supporting radio astronomy initiatives such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), where Pawsey's infrastructure efficiently handles constant data ingest, processing, and storage from radio telescopes scattered across Australia’s deserts. Historically, Pawsey has consistently driven computing innovation, including its early and successful adoption of GPU technology to accelerate scientific workflows, exemplified by its significant contributions to projects in astrophysics and bioinformatics. In quantum computing, Pawsey applies this proven strategy: combining robust infrastructure, targeted education, and a clear national-scale vision to transform quantum computing ideas from theoretical concepts into practical realities.

While hardware is obviously pivotal, so are the algorithms and software tools that harness its potential. With this in mind, Pawsey and QuEra have initially focused their collaboration on algorithmic co-design. Some of their joint projects focus on optimization challenges, where the aim is to leverage quantum processors to tackle “impossible” combinatorial puzzles. Another key area is machine learning, where QuEra’s implementation of “quantum reservoir computing” could open new doors for tasks like pattern recognition, classification, or even signal processing for medical diagnostics.

Scientists on both sides of the partnership also see major promise in fundamental physics simulations, often regarded as the original impetus for quantum computers. Here, the emphasis is on using QuEra’s neutral-atom machines to investigate quantum phenomena in a controllable setup—such as complex many-body systems—more naturally and efficiently than would be possible on classical hardware. Pawsey’s HPC resources still play an indispensable role in orchestrating the data flow: the HPC system handles large-scale classical computations, pre- and post-processing of data, while QuEra’s quantum device tackles the computationally intense quantum segment.

Of course, no sophisticated computing environment is complete without an effective user portal. Pawsey has long provided HPC access to researchers via a merit allocation scheme—if a project is scientifically valuable, it may qualify for compute time on their supercomputers. The idea now is to fold quantum access into a single sign-on portal, so that scientists from universities or industry can seamlessly request and deploy HPC and quantum resources. This integrated approach promises to democratize access to quantum computing, especially in areas of research—like astrophysics or health analytics—where quantum solutions remain in early development but are potentially transformative.

Another benefit arising from this collaboration is the education and training aspect. Pawsey runs everything from workshops to specialized bootcamps for advanced computing, and quantum computing is being slotted in alongside traditional HPC curricula. The ability to offer students and researchers hands-on experience with a quantum device co-located with HPC could be pivotal. It not only demystifies the technology but also broadens the skill set of Australia’s next generation of computational scientists.

In line with these broader aims, QuEra has launched the “QuEra Quantum Alliance”, a group of high-capability partners that Pawsey is part of. The alliance is designed to unite HPC centers, academic institutions, and commercial players who share a common enthusiasm for neutral-atom quantum computing. For Pawsey, the alliance represents a global forum for exchanging ideas, whether that’s about error mitigation strategies or software integration, while for QuEra it accelerates the goal of turning neutral-atom devices into a mainstream option for enterprises and researchers alike.

Looking ahead, both QuEra and Pawsey see their joint efforts as part of a natural evolution: quantum computing won’t replace classical HPC but will instead become one more accelerator in the toolbox, akin to how GPUs revolutionized parallel computing. There’s real optimism that neutral-atom devices could rise to meet near-term demands—like solving medium-scale optimization in hours instead of days—and eventually pave the way for fully error-corrected quantum systems. When those large-scale machines finally do arrive, HPC–quantum integration will likely be the standard in high-end computational research, with workflows seamlessly traversing classical, GPU-accelerated, and quantum architectures.

As a result of this ongoing work, the Pawsey–QuEra partnership is no longer just a theoretical roadmap but an active collaboration, connecting teams with dedicated expertise on supercomputers in Perth and on advanced neutral-atom quantum platforms in Boston. Their synergy stands as a testament to how HPC centers can evolve, adopting new computational paradigms while continuing to serve core research communities. And it underscores QuEra’s commitment to making quantum computing genuinely practical—through hardware that scales, sits at room temperature, and integrates readily with the top-tier HPC resources of the world.

In a field as dynamic as quantum computing, bold collaborations like this one may well define the path forward. For now, both Pawsey and QuEra remain focused on the practical challenges—building prototypes, developing software frameworks, and exploring new research applications. But there is a palpable sense that, through collective effort, they’re laying crucial foundations for the next generation of computing, one where quantum and classical architectures interlock seamlessly and transform the way we solve some of the most complex problems in science and industry.