Quantum computing and high-performance computing – applications, potential, limits

Background

Quantum computing is currently being widely discussed in a scientific context. There has been a huge surge in R&D activities in this area on the back of targeted funding. Quantum computing is also receiving a lot of attention from the public.

However, outside of the largely scientific specialist community, little is known about what the specific advantages of quantum computing are in practice and, with that, the potential for value creation. As a consequence, despite the generally high level of interest, many companies have reservations about actually using this technology. Existing publications are often either too broad or scientifically highbrow – the practical view is lacking.

Objectives

By exploring specific areas of application and use cases, the potential and limits of quantum computing are analysed from an application-centric perspective and the connection made between them and the potential and limits of traditional supercomputing/high-performance computing. The aim of the project is to develop a common understanding of the value of quantum computing. Following on from the project, an acatech IMPULSE will be published containing use cases clustered by areas of application.