[CORE POWER KOREA] Part 1: Cultivate 10 Key Hegemonic Technologies ① Quantum Computing
■ Inside Pasqal, Developer of the First Neutral-Atom Quantum Computer
- First commercial deployment followed by 1,000-qubit success
- Production time for quantum computers cut in half from two years
- Laser-based atomic array control replaces cryogenic cooling
- Stable operation at room temperature with scalable qubits
- Exports to Europe and beyond drive quantum sovereignty
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Massy-Palaiseau, a suburban city 30 minutes by train from Paris — this is where Pasqal, a quantum technology company, houses its headquarters and research laboratory. On January 9 (local time), engineers inside a room named "hoth" were busy manufacturing quantum computers for delivery to clients.
The quantum computer Pasqal unveiled to Korean media for the first time boasted approximately 200-qubit performance yet was only about the size of a phone booth. That is notably compact compared with other quantum computers that have been publicly showcased.
The difference stems from a fundamentally different core technology. Commonly known quantum computers typically use superconducting methods, with large cryogenic refrigerators encasing the quantum chip to preserve quantum states. Pasqal instead employs a neutral-atom approach, controlling atoms with laser systems and vacuum chambers rather than cooling equipment. This also makes the system more compatible with other computing devices.
Analysts say neutral-atom quantum computers could provide an edge in the race for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. The ability to build AI data centers faster and more efficiently has become increasingly important. Pasqal received an order from GENCI, France's national high-performance computing agency, and delivered a quantum processing unit (QPU) to TGCC, a large-scale computing center, in 2024. Last year, the company also successfully exported the first quantum computer to Saudi Arabia, selling to Aramco, the world's largest oil company.
In the quantum field, the United States and China currently lead, but Europe is accelerating its market presence with differentiated technology. Pasqal stands at the forefront, leveraging its space-efficient products and rapid manufacturing capabilities to emerge as a global player. Experts suggest that for South Korea to secure independent quantum sovereignty in an increasingly commercialized quantum market, it needs to learn from European policies that combine synergies between the private and public sectors.
"Pasqal's quantum computer has a compact form factor optimized for data centers," said Wasik Bokari, CEO of Pasqal. "Quantum computers will serve a complementary role to CPUs and GPUs, establishing themselves as the third pillar of AI computing."
The competitiveness of the quantum computers observed firsthand at Pasqal's headquarters and laboratory was advancing rapidly. Beyond the technological superiority of quantum computers over other computing devices, dramatic improvements in manufacturing capability were also evident. This indicates that the foundation is being laid for quantum technology to take root as a core solution across various industries, including AI infrastructure.
