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Development Roadmap

Our Development Roadmap Towards Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing with 1 Million Qubits

Since the start of IQM in 2019, we have been a driving force in accelerating the quantum ecosystem by integrating scalable hardware, advanced software integrations for HPCs, and application development. Over the past two years, we have successfully delivered 5-, 20- and 54-qubit quantum computers to customers, with a 150-qubit machine soon to follow.

In parallel, we continue to achieve key milestones in product development, infrastructure, and technology. Our quantum computers are increasingly accessible through our cloud offering, powered by our proprietary quantum data centers. Additionally, our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is capable of producing up to 20 quantum computers annually, addressing the growing demand for cutting-edge systems while ensuring scalability and adaptability through our in-house fabrication capabilities.

At the core of this progress is our exceptional, high-performing team, consistently delivering on all key milestones and driving innovation in the quantum computing landscape.

Software Platform with open architecture

Our quantum computers are designed for seamless high-performance computing (HPC) integration.

In 2024, the 20-qubit Radiance system was installed at the Leibniz Supercomputing Center (LRZ), where it was connected to their HPC infrastructure and the Munich Quantum Software Stack. The supercomputer’s scheduling software enables users to book quantum computing jobs directly, a configuration commonly called as 'loose HPC integration'. Similar systems with this capability have also been delivered to Eviden and VTT.

As part of our software strategy, we offer a specialized Software Development Kit (SDK) that ensures seamless HPC integration, maximizing the utility of quantum systems and minimizing hybrid computing latencies. This SDK empowers customers, technology developers, and end-users by providing an open and modular quantum architecture, fostering collaboration and innovation.

We are leveraging insights from these collaborations to re-architect our control software and electronics stack, paving the way for ‘tight HPC integration’. This approach focuses on optimizing system performance by efficiently balancing data movement, processing power, and workloads. In 2025, we will also release an HPC integration guidebook to assist HPC centers in implementing loose HPC-QC integration while identifying key open development challenges.

To further drive innovation, we are embracing an open architecture and programming framework, offering developers and technology partners open interfaces to advance their solutions. The first step in this direction, pulse-level access, is already available to our on-premises customers and will be made available as open-source for the broader quantum community in 2025.

These open interfaces enable us to move toward large error-corrected quantum computers with real-time encoded logical qubits, underpinned by an advanced and optimized software stack.

Unique Topologies for efficient quantum error correction

Our development roadmap focuses on seamlessly merging the strengths of the IQM Crystal and IQM Star processor topologies to achieve hardware-efficient quantum error correction.

IQM Crystal

a square-lattice topology with four nearest neighbors, delivers industry-leading two-qubit gate fidelity of 99.9% in test systems, highlighting our dedication to building high-performance and reliable quantum devices.

IQM Star

leverages a computational resonator to connect a large number of qubits, for the highest connectivity available in the market. The first quantum computer based on this topology, IQM Star 6, is already accessible through our cloud platform, IQM Resonance. This high-connectivity topology forms the foundation for efficient quantum error correction (QEC).
Both topologies are undergoing continuous development to achieve two-qubit gate fidelities of 99.95% in large scale systems, supporting both Noisy-Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) applications and QEC.

Building on this robust foundation, we at IQM are advancing from optimizing high-performance NISQ-era systems – with enhanced error suppression and error mitigation techniques – toward fully fault-tolerant quantum systems. Central to this effort is the development of cutting-edge technologies for the efficient implementation of Quantum Low-Density Parity-Check (QLDPC) codes. By leveraging the unique strengths of the Crystal and Star chip topologies, QLDPC codes enable a two- to tenfold efficiency improvement over traditional surface codes.

With QLDPC, our aim is to achieve a logical error rate of 10⁻⁹, marking a significant milestone in quantum error correction. This progress will position us as a leader in delivering scalable, competitive quantum solutions that bridge the gap between research and real-world applications

System performance and quality

At the core of our system development lies a relentless focus on operational performance and quality.
This is exemplified by our two-qubit gate (CZ-gate) fidelity achievements and ambitious targets for the coming years. In 2024, we achieved an industry-leading CZ fidelity of 99.9% on a two-qubit test chip, demonstrating our ability to deliver industry-leading quantum hardware.

Both the Crystal and Star topologies are under active refinement to scale this fidelity to larger systems, with a target of achieving 99.95% two-qubit gate fidelities. These advancements are critical for supporting a dual focus on Noisy-Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) applications and quantum error correction (QEC). By driving continuous improvements in fidelity and scalability, we are laying the groundwork for systems that meet the rigorous demands of both current and future quantum computing applications. For example, we have designed our systems for high stability, leading to longer operational slots between recalibrations. For the recalibrations, we are implementing highly automated routines to minimize the downtime and maximize the user experience. Our proprietary control electronics allows for ultra-fast control pulses and high reset and readout fidelities, which are crucial for the overall performance of algorithm execution.

Our commitment to performance goes beyond physical qubit fidelity to the rigorous definitions of logical qubits in our QEC and fault-tolerance roadmap. In our first QEC demonstrators, logical qubits are defined with error rates in the range of 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻⁶. As we progress toward fault-tolerant quantum systems, our roadmap targets logical error rates reaching 10⁻⁹.  

Selected
Use Cases

We, at IQM, have a clear pathway from foundational exploration to achieving useful quantum advantage, leveraging quantum technology to create transformative impact across industries.
With the growing demand for AI-driven solutions, quantum technology offers a way to address complex computational challenges at unprecedented speed and scale. Our roadmap focuses on three high-value quantum computing application areas – simulation, optimization, and quantum machine learning – together projected to reach a market value over €72 billion by 2035. We aim to drive innovation and deliver solutions with significant industry potential.

Simulation

(€28B)
Currently developing early simulations of molecules and materials. By 2030 our system's breakthroughs in drug discovery, catalysts, and carbon capture are anticipated.

Optimization

(€18B)
Initial efforts are focused on benchmarking algorithms to understand their performance. Towards 2030 and beyond, we will tackle large-scale challenges in logistics, energy grid optimization, and telecom management.

Quantum Machine Learning

(€26B)
Currently building early proof of concepts for pattern recognition and generative models. By the end of the decade, our aim is to enable advancements in bio-data generation, personalized medicine, market dynamics and smart cities.
Our roadmap is currently in the foundation phase, where we highlight proof-of-concept developments made in collaboration with our research partners. These concepts lay the foundation for applying quantum algorithms across three key application areas.  

In the Quantum Utility phase of our roadmap, we advance these proofs of concept by scaling them on mature NISQ devices featuring 150 qubits and two-qubit gate fidelities of 99.9% and beyond. While the performance of quantum machine learning methods is still under evaluation, simulation and optimization methods have emerged as strong candidates to achieve quantum utility – delivering quantum solutions that surpass standard computational tools used in industry. Scaling analyses indicate that these methods could rival the best classical approaches for research-relevant problems when system fidelities reach between 99.9% and 99.99%.

In the fault-tolerant phase, quantum computers will begin to unlock the full potential of the quantum computing market and anticipated value. Early advantage systems will drive breakthroughs in life sciences, materials science, and large-scale logistics. As systems scale to one million physical qubits and beyond, they will enable solutions to previously unsolvable challenges, including optimizing global supply chains, advancing energy systems, and revolutionizing efficient fertilizer production.

Technology Milestones
(2023 – 2030+)

2025-2026: NISQ

Goal

Enhance gate performance, introduce top-tier error reduction (error mitigation and suppression), and deliver NISQ solutions for immediate research applications.

Strategy

Collaborate with partners on early use cases, focusing on high gate performance and efficient error reduction.

Technological Innovations

Achieve over 99.94% two-qubit gate fidelities and deploy innovative error-mitigation methods.

2027-2028: QEC Demonstrators

Goal

Develop large systems combining QEC and advanced error reduction for early quantum utility in applications like quantum machine learning, simulation, and optimization.

Strategy

Reduce algorithmic error rates for industrial and research use cases, advancing QPU architectures optimized for QEC.

Technological Innovations

Implement highly efficient QLDPC codes that increase the efficiency compared to surface codes by up to 10 and integrate QEC for both universal quantum computation (i.e. including both Clifford and non-Clifford gates).

2030+: Fault Tolerance

Goal

Realize fully QEC-enabled systems with hundreds of high-precision logical qubits, achieving quantum advantage across multiple industries and scale up to 1 Million qubits.

Strategy

Develop systems with advanced QLDPC codes, novel chip topologies, long-range couplers, and compact packaging for fault-tolerant, large-scale applications.

Technological Innovations

Enhanced cleanroom facilities will support complex chip fabrication, enabling unique long-range connections and high-performance QEC capabilities.

Looking Forward: Paving the way to fault-tolerant quantum computing

Our development roadmap, supported by innovations in algorithms, software, QPU, and hardware design, underscores our dedication to pioneering quantum solutions. Near-term devices and methods will push the boundaries of computing with powerful and performant NISQ devices.  

Then, by combining IQM Crystal and IQM Star, we advance rapidly from NISQ-era applications to fault-tolerant quantum systems with stringent error rates. We aim to empower industries, accelerate quantum value creation, and redefine quantum technology’s possibilities with our technology.

We recognize that developing large-scale quantum computers is a complex task and are grateful for a large number of collaborators and partners who help us scale efficiently through our roadmap development. Looking ahead, we are committed to partnering with the leading institutions and companies in the field to deliver products with best-in-class technology.
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