THE Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) is set to take a major step in advanced computing with the planned deployment of a 100-qubit quantum computer by the second quarter of 2026. The installation of the machine marks South Korea’s entry into large-scale, on-premise quantum processing. The system will be installed at theand integrated with the nation’s flagship supercomputing infrastructure.
QUANTUM COMPUTER KISTI s set to take delivery of a 100-qubit quantum computer by the second quarter of 2026.
The project centers on a trapped-ion quantum computer supplied by US-based IonQ and is intended to operate alongside KISTI’s high-performance computing systems. By combining quantum and classical computing resources in a single research environment, the facility aims to support advanced studies in materials science, optimization, chemistry simulations, and quantum algorithm development.
At its core, the system will feature 100 physical qubits, the fundamental units of quantum information. Unlike classical bits, which exist as either a zero or one, qubits exploit quantum mechanical properties such as superposition and entanglement, allowing them to represent and process multiple states simultaneously. In principle, this enables certain classes of problems to be explored far more efficiently than with conventional computers.
The IonQ system uses trapped-ion technology, a quantum computing approach in which individual ions are confined using electromagnetic fields in a high-vacuum chamber. Laser pulses are then used to manipulate the quantum states of these ions, performing logic operations known as quantum gates. Trapped-ion qubits are known for their long coherence times, meaning they can maintain their quantum state for longer periods before decoherence introduces errors. This stability makes them particularly suitable for complex computations and experimental research.
In a trapped-ion architecture, qubits are effectively “all-to-all” connected, allowing any qubit to interact directly with any other qubit in the system. This contrasts with some superconducting quantum computers, where qubit connectivity is more limited and requires additional routing operations. High connectivity reduces circuit depth and can improve the efficiency of quantum algorithms, especially in near-term systems where error rates remain a key constraint.
The significance of reaching the 100-qubit scale lies not just in the raw number of qubits, but in the system’s ability to execute increasingly complex quantum circuits. As qubit counts rise, the size of the quantum state space grows exponentially, quickly exceeding what can be realistically simulated on classical supercomputers. At this scale, researchers can begin exploring quantum advantage in specific problem domains, particularly when combined with classical computation in hybrid workflows.
KISTI plans to integrate the quantum system with its HANGANG supercomputer, allowing researchers to offload certain computational tasks to the quantum processor while using classical systems for pre- and post-processing. This hybrid approach reflects how quantum computers are expected to be used in the near term, not as standalone replacements for classical machines, but as specialized accelerators for certain types of calculations.
From a technical standpoint, operating a 100-qubit system presents challenges beyond hardware installation. Precise laser control, error mitigation techniques, thermal stability, and calibration all play critical roles in maintaining reliable operation. Researchers will also need to develop and optimize quantum algorithms that can tolerate noise and imperfections inherent in current-generation quantum hardware.
By targeting a 2026 deployment, South Korea aligns itself with a global push toward practical quantum computing systems that move beyond laboratory demonstrations. The installation is expected to serve as a national research platform, supporting universities, public research institutions, and industry partners working on quantum science and engineering.
As quantum computing transitions from experimental setups to integrated research infrastructure, systems such as the planned 100-qubit platform at KISTI reflect a growing emphasis on usability, scalability, and real-world applications. While fault-tolerant, error-corrected quantum computers remain a longer-term goal, the coming generation of 100-qubit machines represents an important bridge between theory and practical quantum computation.
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