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Artist: Maître Francke

Title: Die Anbetung Der Könige, or Adoration of the Magi

Date: c.1426

Media: tempera, oak

Explore Hamburg's vibrant culture, maritime history, and delicious cuisine on an unforgettable city break.

Hamburg Reaffirms Its Position as Germany's Leading Quantum Computing City.

Hamburg Germany News

Hamburg, Germany Hamburg is increasingly important for Germany's DLR Quantum Computing Initiative's quantum computing goal. In the city's thriving ecosystem, quantum technologies are tested in AI, materials science, cybersecurity, and mobility.

Five quantum computers are presently being built at the DLR's innovation centre in Lokstedt. According to Hamburg Business, early demonstrator systems are currently operational, and larger, more advanced quantum computers should be operational by 2027. In 2021, the DLR QCI received a €740 million grant from the Ministry of Economics and Energy to build German prototype quantum computers in four years. This localised acceleration is vital to the national endeavour.

This is compatible with Germany's 2023 quantum technology action plan, which calls for "targeted, long-term support" to strengthen Europe's leadership. Despite budget cuts, DLR Quantum Computing Initiative head Dr. Robert Axmann said "Hamburg has a promising quantum computing ecosystem." The systems being built at Lokstedt will be accessible to DLR research teams and German industrial partners.

Emphasis on Strategic Hardware: Ion Trap Technology

The Lokstedt Innovation Centre is one of several DLR nodes across the nation that specialise in distinct quantum technologies. While DLR's Ulm office focusses on global quantum computers that employ neutral atoms and photonic circuits, the Hamburg team is concentrating on ion trap devices.

Ion trap quantum computing is one of the most promising approaches for developing scalable systems. They use electromagnetic fields to suspend charged atoms in order to process and store information. They still present technological challenges when scaling to large numbers of qubits, but their stability makes them desirable for achieving high-fidelity computation. The DLR QCI continues to pursue an open-technology strategy because, as Dr. Axmann stated, "Not all projects will be successful" and no single architecture has yet shown dominance.

Quantum Acceleration in Logistics and Transportation

Hamburg's strong position in port operations, logistics, and aviation makes mobility projects an ideal fit for quantum research. The QCMobility program is currently testing the potential of quantum computers to optimise complex transportation systems that span the air, road, rail, and maritime domains, as well as multimodal transportation.

The results of this study will be integrated into a national "Quantum Computing and Mobility" plan. The study uses reduced demonstration challenges to evaluate algorithms on the DLR's quantum hardware. In this effort, key industry players include the logistics firm Dachser, Deutsche Bahn, Lufthansa Industry Solutions, and Fraunhofer.The Quantum-Inspired Traffic Signal Control (QI-TraSiCo) subproject is testing whether quantum algorithms can outperform classical computing in time-sensitive urban systems by improving real-time traffic optimisation and control.

The Fraunhofer Centre for Maritime Logistics and Services (CML) received €2 million for "Quantum Computing for Shipping and Maritime Logistics in Hamburg (QSH)". Marine optimisation difficulties include tanker route planning, which must account for port constraints and hazardous product transit periods. These calculations are currently done manually; automation is the goal.

Security, Material Design, and Hybrid Intelligence

DLR researchers are also exploring the complimentary potential of quantum computing to enhance AI capabilities. Dr. Axmann claims that because quantum computing can handle complex computer issues much more quickly than traditional AI, it has the potential to become a "new catalyst of AI."

QCoKaIn (Quantum Computing and AI for Anomaly Detection) uses machine learning and quantum techniques to swiftly find anomalies in massive data sets. It may detect unusual flight data trends and explore their causes in real time. Hybrid quantum computing, which blends high-performance classical supercomputers with quantum processors, is a crucial element of QCoKaIn. The most practical short-term path to achieving a practical quantum advantage is seen to be this paradigm.

Materials research development time could be greatly reduced by quantum simulation. Dr. Axmann claimed that quantum computers "could literally save years" by allowing researchers to examine various chemical combinations to identify candidates with notably superior properties, such as improved thermal conductivity or corrosion resistance. This competency is necessary for designing new alloys for spacecraft, aircraft, and industrial production components.

The DLR QCI and German Federal Office for Information Security work on cybersecurity, another critical issue. This cooperation develops post-quantum cryptography encryption that can withstand quantum computer attacks.

Future Talent Pipeline Protection

In October 2022, the Hamburg Senate adopted a €34.1 million quantum computing value chain strengthening package to sustain growth. The Hamburg Quantum Computing School (HQS), funded by €19.1 million, is a priority. HQS is a major joint venture between the University of Hamburg and the Hamburg University of Technology (TU Hamburg) with the aim of recruiting and training the management and hardware, software, and application specialists that the quantum computing sector desperately requires.

The city is also expanding its network of business owners. The City of Hamburg has allocated €10 million towards quantum computing research. Through initiatives like InnoFounder, which provides grants up to €75,000, and InnoRampUp, which provides grants up to €150,000 for highly innovative business models, the IFB Hamburg is helping R&D companies and startups integrate quantum computing into the current innovation funding framework.