araQne: Welinq's Compiler for Distributed Quantum Computing
Paris, France – January 14th, 2025 – Welinq, a leading company in modular quantum computing and quantum networking, has achieved a significant milestone with the release of araQne, its first compiler designed for distributed quantum computing. One of the major challenges in this field is scaling up: most commercially and industrially relevant computations require more qubits than a single quantum processing unit (QPU) can currently offer. Rather than attempting to fit more qubits into a single device—which is both technologically challenging and inherently limited—araQne software instead partitions large-scale algorithms, which are then distributed across a network of smaller QPUs.
This approach embodies the core principle of Distributed Quantum Computing (DQC): harnessing a network of near-term, mid-sized QPUs to reproduce the capabilities of a large, monolithic quantum computer. Leveraging entanglement—a key resource in quantum mechanics—these interconnected QPUs communicate and share quantum information. What’s crucial is the compiler’s role: by mapping an algorithm that is too large for today’s QPUs onto multiple coordinated processors, araQne makes it possible to achieve computational tasks that were previously out of reach.
araQne: A Solution for Seamless Distributed Quantum Computing
Welinq presents araQne, a quantum compiling tool essential for distributed quantum computing applications. It combines the following state-of-the-art features:
- Quantum Algorithm Distribution: efficient algorithm partitioning and optimal assignment of algorithm partitions on QPUs constituting a network. In such a way, araQne enables the parallel execution of quantum computations across multiple QPUs, paving the way for large-scale computation.
- Resource optimization: minimization of the quantum communication resources required for quantum algorithm distribution, thanks to the usage of improved quantum communication protocols and smart gate sequence identification strategy.
Its effectiveness relies on the use of gate arrangement techniques as well as on quantum communication protocols. In such a way, araQne distributes an algorithm designed to operate on a number of qubits surpassing the ones of current technology, on a network of near-term QPUs.
araQne also plays a pivotal role in initiatives like AQADOC, the world’s largest initiative in Distributed Quantum Computing algorithms, led by Welinq and EDF in partnership with Pasqal, Quandela, GENCI, Le Lab Quantique, LIP6 (CNRS/Sorbonne Université), Teratec, other key players in the quantum ecosystem and funded by the Ile-de-France Région. Here, araQne's software provides the essential tools for implementing and scaling new algorithms tailored to the challenges in energy production and management, from battery simulation to optimal energy routing in electrical infrastructures.
An integral part of Welinq’s Full-Stack Vision
araQne represents the algorithmic part of Welinq’s full-stack solutions for modular quantum computing. Welinq's quantum interconnect is full-stack by design: it offers a turnkey solution, with algorithmic capabilities, leading hardware -namely optical networks integrating world-record quantum memories- as well as state-of-the-art protocols and architectures, in a unified product. Together, these technologies position Welinq as a frontrunner in enabling distributed quantum computing.
“With araQne, we address a critical gap in quantum computing by providing the key software solution for quantum algorithm distribution.”, said Tom Darras, CEO and co-founder of Welinq. “This marks a pivotal step toward realizing scalable clusters of quantum computers capable of solving problems useful for industry and society.”