Open Compute Project is looking at how a combination of quantum and HPC can become a reality.
The Open Compute Project (OCP) is starting a new track to learn how quantum computers can run alongside classic high-performance computing (HPC). The organization wants to bundle existing experiences into clear guidelines for data centers.
Quantum Requires Different Infrastructure
Although quantum computers can be energy-efficient, they have higher requirements in a data center than traditional HPC systems. A cryostat weighs up to 750 kilos, so the floor must be able to handle a load of 1000 kg/m².
In addition, the cooling requires water between 15°C and 25°C, much lower than the 45°C that HPC racks require. The humidity must also be strictly monitored between 25 and 60 percent to prevent condensation on cooled components.
Environment Determines Success
Quantum hardware is extremely sensitive to environmental influences, writes The Register. Fluorescent lighting must be at least two meters away, and magnetic fields from direct current must remain below 100 µT (DC) and 1 µT (AC). Nearby cell phone towers, streetcars, or train tracks within 100 meters can already cause interference.
Placing a quantum computer is not a standard data center operation. OCP reports that an installation takes at least four weeks and requires specialists such as electricians and cooling technicians. The organization is therefore working on clear checklists and best practices for data centers that want to build a hybrid HPC quantum environment.
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