Enabling Hybrid HPCQC Workflows with a Heterogeneous Software Stack

2026-08-14

AI Summary

This study addresses the challenges of quantum-classical heterogeneous integration and collaborative scheduling in supercomputing by proposing a two-tier scheduling architecture and an open-source Slurm plugin suite. Leveraging GRES mechanisms, QRM&CI just-in-time compilation, and SPANK modules, this approach transparently integrates quantum processors as accelerators into existing HPC scheduling frameworks, enabling efficient hybrid workflow orchestration without modifying the scheduler core. Experimental evaluations on next-generation Cray platforms demonstrate negligible latency overhead, confirming both portability and practicality. Consequently, this work provides a standardized solution for managing heterogeneous quantum computing resources, facilitating seamless integration within current high-performance computing environments while maintaining system integrity and performance efficiency.

Abstract

In this work, we demonstrate hybrid High Performance Computing-Quantum Computing (HPCQC) workflows on a production petascale system. The demonstration combines three components: the SuperMUC-NG supercomputer at the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ), a 20-qubit superconducting quantum processor provided by IQM Quantum Computers (IQM), and Munich Quantum Valley (MQV)'s Munich Quantum Software Stack (MQSS). Integrating quantum processors into High Performance Computing (HPC) systems requires a heterogeneous software stack capable of orchestrating classical and quantum resources within established supercomputing workflows. MQSS treats Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) as scheduler-managed accelerators and it performs resource coordination following a two-level scheduling scheme. Slurm performs system-level allocation by exposing QPUs as Generic RESources (GRES), while the MQSS Quantum Resource Manager & Compiler Infrastructure (QRM&CI) performs just-in-time compilation and subsequent dispatch of quantum circuits. To integrate with existing HPC operations without modifying the scheduler core, MQSS introduces an open-source SLURM Plugin Suite based on Prolog/Epilog scripts and SPANK modules. Experimental results show that hybrid HPCQC workflows can be executed without significant latency overhead compared to conventional workloads. The presented architecture provides a portable integration model for quantum accelerators on large-scale HPC systems and is directly applicable to next-generation Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Cray platforms, including LRZ's upcoming 'Blue Lion' supercomputer.

Problem

• Hybrid HPCQC Workflows
• Heterogeneous Software Stack
• Quantum Accelerator Integration
• Resource Orchestration

Innovation

• Hybrid HPCQC Workflows
• Heterogeneous Software Stack
• Two-level Scheduling
• SLURM Plugin Suite
• QPU Accelerator Integration