Rosatom Launches Hands-On Project with Russian Quantum Computer

A Rosatom-led initiative invites researchers and industry experts to interact with a 50-qubit quantum computer—and imagine where the technology might lead next.

Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom has launched a new outreach and training initiative called 'I Saw a Quantum Computer!' The project invites scientists, engineers, and students to visit the Lebedev Physical Institute (FIAN) laboratory to see one of Russia’s most advanced quantum systems in action.

Participants—including senior professionals from the nuclear industry, industrial partners, and early-career researchers—will get a first-hand look at a 50-qubit trapped-ion quantum computer. The experience is designed to showcase the real-world potential of quantum computing and spark deeper discussion about its global implications.

The program’s launch event has already taken place, with participants from the AtomSkills competition and various Russian universities and colleges visiting FIAN for a live demonstration.

The quantum computer itself was developed by researchers at FIAN and the Russian Quantum Center (RQC), with coordination from Rosatom. Unlike traditional computers that use bits (0s and 1s), quantum machines operate with qubits, which can exist in superposition—holding both values at once. This allows quantum systems to perform massively parallel calculations, opening possibilities in fields such as molecular modeling for drug discovery, process optimization, and advanced cryptography.