idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
Due to their error-prone hardware, quantum computers have not yet found practical use. One promising solution is quantum error correction: special methods are used to find and correct errors in the calculations of quantum computers in order to achieve reliable results. In the snaQCs2025 project, neQxt GmbH, Fraunhofer IAF and Point 8 GmbH are working on the coordinated development of quantum error correction methods and quantum algorithms. The project aims at significantly advancing the practical applicability of quantum computers. The project kick-off took place in Cologne on January 14, 2026. The BMFTR is funding snaQCs with €2.5 million over three years.
Quantum computers have immense potential because they could perform highly complex calculations much faster than current supercomputers. However, the hurdle to the practical application of quantum computers is just as immense today: the error-prone nature of their hardware. Researchers around the world are therefore working on quantum error correction methods to make the calculations of quantum computers more reliable.
Against this backdrop, neQxt GmbH, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF and Point 8 GmbH have launched the snaQCs2025 project to jointly advance a promising approach to quantum error correction. Using innovative simulation and integration methods, software tools for analysis and optimization, and scalable and error-resistant quantum algorithms, the partners want to develop robust logical quantum bits (qubits) for quantum computing hardware. This approach aims to compensate for the error susceptibility of physical qubits, bringing quantum computing a big step closer to practical use.
On January 14, 2026, representatives of the three consortium partners met in Cologne for the project kick-off. The German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) is supporting the project with €2.5 million over three years as part of the funding program on application-oriented quantum informatics.
Making quantum computers more practical
“Quantum error correction is a promising approach to significantly reducing the error susceptibility of quantum computers and making the technology more practical. In the snaQCs project, we are demonstrating the practical usability of quantum error correction and fault-tolerant quantum circuits by investigating the integration of error correction routines into quantum algorithms,” explains project coordinator Dr. Sascha Heußen from neQxt.
“With an innovative approach that combines analysis, optimization, simulation and fault-tolerant implementation of quantum algorithms, snaQCs is contributing to the realization of scalable quantum computing in Germany,” emphasizes Dr. Florentin Reiter, Head of Business Unit Quantum Systems and snaQCs subproject leader at Fraunhofer IAF.
“Quantum computing is one of the most promising topics for the future worldwide. We are very happy to support both progress in this area and Germany as a center of science by contributing our expertise and experience in physics, data analysis and software development to the snaQCs project,” explains Dr. Jesko Merkel, co-founder of point8 and snaQCs subproject leader.
Logical qubits outperform physical qubits
The most important component of a quantum computer is the qubit. As the central information unit, it performs the same function as the bit in a conventional computer. Companies and scientific institutions around the world are working on various approaches to generating qubits: atoms in electromagnetic traps, electrons in quantum dots, superconducting circuits, or nuclear spins in solids and molecules. Unlike a bit, a qubit can assume several states (such as 0 and 1) simultaneously (superposition). Quantum entanglement also connects several qubits regardless of their distance from each other.
What all approaches to realizing these physical qubits have in common is their extreme sensitivity to external influences. Even the weakest microwave pulses, magnetic fields or temperature fluctuations can disrupt the superposition and entanglement of qubits and contaminate the calculations of a quantum computer. The use of quantum error correction can compensate for this: By combining several physical qubits, logical qubits are created in which the errors of individual qubits are compensated for in the network. This is crucial for the scalability of quantum computers: while the susceptibility to errors increases with a rising number of physical qubits, it decreases through their connection to logical qubits.
Complete development pipeline for logical qubits, quantum algorithms and analysis software
The snaQCs project aims to help unlock the benefits of logical qubits for users and promote the real-world use of quantum computers. To this end, the project partners are working at various levels on the development of particularly reliable logical qubits, optimized, application-oriented quantum algorithms and innovative software for data analysis and characterization.
The goal is to provide a complete development pipeline, ranging from the simulation, realization and integration of logical qubits in real quantum computers to the optimization and new development of application-specific and scalable algorithms, as well as data-supported validation and iterative improvement of the methods. The development and experimental implementation of the logical qubits is carried out on ion trap-based quantum computing hardware.
Overview: Contributions of the project partners
The company neQxt coordinates the joint project and is responsible for the simulation and further development of various quantum error correction methods as well as for the implementation of the developed logical qubits in existing quantum computing hardware.
The work at Fraunhofer IAF aims to identify and optimize quantum algorithms and develop new algorithms that are specifically tailored to quantum error correction codes and enable efficient application by industry. The focus is particularly on the scalability of the algorithms.
As part of snaQCs, the software company point8 is developing innovative tools for more precise analysis and optimization of quantum error correction circuits. In addition, point8 provides ongoing support to the project partners in experimental data analysis and characterization.
About neQxt
neQxt GmbH is a full-stack quantum computing company covering the entire spectrum from hardware manufacturing to software development. neQxt is a spin-off of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz that emerged from the Schmidt-Kaler research group. This allows the company to draw on decades of experience in the field of ion trap quantum computers. neQxt's product portfolio includes quantum computing simulators, portable quantum computer systems, cloud access to quantum computers, and enabling technologies.
https://www.neqxt.org/
About Fraunhofer IAF
The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF is one of the world's leading research institutions in the fields of III-V semiconductors and synthetic diamond. Based on these materials, Fraunhofer IAF develops components for future-oriented technologies, such as electronic circuits for innovative communication and mobility solutions, laser systems for real-time spectroscopy, novel hardware components for quantum computing as well as quantum sensors for industrial applications. With its research and development, the Freiburg research institute covers the entire value chain — from materials research, design and processing to modules, systems and demonstrators.
https://www.iaf.fraunhofer.de/
About point8
Point 8 GmbH specializes in data-driven solutions for industry. To this end, point8 combines technological expertise with agile and goal-oriented consulting services for innovative digitization projects. It has in-depth expertise in the collection, aggregation, processing, cleansing and analysis of data. These skills in the processing and analysis of primary data are complemented by experience in the field of multivariate data analysis methods, machine learning techniques and Monte Carlo simulations.
https://point-8.de/
https://www.iaf.fraunhofer.de/en/customers/quantum-systems/quantum-computing.htm... – Overview of the research activities of Fraunhofer IAF in the field of quantum computing
https://www.quantensysteme.info/projektatlas/projekte/q/snaqcs2025 – Profile of the snaQCs2025 project (German)
https://www.iaf.fraunhofer.de/en/networkers.html – Information on collaborating with Fraunhofer IAF
In the snaQCs2025 project, the partners neQxt, Fraunhofer IAF and point8 are working on the coordina ...
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Florentin Reiter (Fraunhofer IAF), Carsten Zwilling (point8), Sascha Heußen (neQxt), Florian Kruse ( ...
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