A Survey on Integrating Quantum Computers into High Performance Computing Systems

2025-07-04

AI Summary

This work addresses the deep integration of quantum computing with high-performance computing (HPC). We conduct a systematic literature review of 107 studies and propose a seven-category classification framework spanning hardware architectures, software stacks, programming models, and scheduling mechanisms. Methodologically, we adopt “interface standardization” and “co-abstraction” as unifying conceptual lenses to map the technical landscape of quantum-classical hybrid systems. Our analysis identifies three critical challenges: heterogeneous communication latency, cross-layer scheduling inefficiency, and fragmented programming models. The contribution is a structured design pathway for hybrid computing architectures, enabling cross-platform toolchain development and informing future standardization efforts. By clarifying integration bottlenecks and abstraction requirements, this work advances quantum computing’s evolution from domain-specific accelerators toward interoperable, composable computing units within HPC ecosystems.

Technology Category

• Machine Learning: Quantum Machine Learning
• Humans and AI: Other Foundations of Human Computation & AI
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: (Computational) Cognitive Architectures

Application Category

• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Research challenges in human and human-AI computation
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web applications in cross-disciplinary domains and verticals such as mixed reality, smart cities, and digital health
• Graph Algorithms and Modeling for the Web: Querying, indexing, and retrieval in Web-related graphs

Abstract

Quantum computers use quantum mechanical phenomena to perform conventionally intractable calculations for specific problems. Despite being universal machines, quantum computers are not expected to replace classical computers, but rather, to complement them and form hybrid systems. This makes integrating quantum computers into high performance computing (HPC) systems an increasingly relevant topic. We present a structured literature review on the integration aspect. We methodologically search literature databases and manually evaluate 107 publications. These publications are divided into seven categories that describe the state of the art in each category. After a brief quantitative analysis of the literature, this survey deals with the hardware architecture of hybrid quantum-classical systems, as well as the software stack. We observe the development of a wide range of tools enabling hybrid systems and emphasize the need for future standardization of interfaces and methods to foster synergy.

Problem

• Integrating quantum computers into HPC systems
• Surveying hybrid quantum-classical hardware and software
• Addressing standardization needs for hybrid system interfaces

Innovation

• Integrating quantum computers into HPC systems
• Surveying hardware architecture and software stack
• Emphasizing standardization for hybrid system synergy