Bridging HPC and Quantum Systems using Scientific Workflows

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how scientific workflows can integrate traditional HPC and quantum computers, enabling automated execution of quantum algorithms via a workflow platform to facilitate hybrid quantum-HPC computing.

Contribution

It introduces a workflow-based approach to seamlessly connect HPC and quantum systems, exemplified by implementing and automating quantum algorithms within a scientific workflow.

Findings

Successful execution of quantum algorithms via HPC workflows

Automation of quantum-HPC integration using Parsl platform

Demonstrated feasibility of hybrid quantum-classical computing workflows

Abstract

Quantum Computers offer an intriguing challenge in modern Computer Science. With the inevitable physical limitations to Moore's Law, quantum hardware provides avenues to solve grander problems faster by utilizing Quantum Mechanical properties at subatomic scales. These futuristic devices will likely never replace traditional HPC, but rather work alongside them to perform complex tasks, utilizing the best of decades of HPC and quantum computing research. We leverage the capabilities of scientific workflows to make traditional HPC and Quantum Computers work together. To demonstrate this capability, we implemented three algorithms: Grover's Search Algorithm, Shor's Factoring Algorithm, and a 4-node Traveling Salesman Algorithm. The algorithms' implementation and generated inputs are sent from ORNL HPC to IBMQ, the algorithms run on IBMQ, and the results return. The entire process is automated as a workflow by encoding it into the Parsl parallel scripting and workflow platform.