IonQ to Increase Performance and Scale of Quantum Computers with Photonic Integrated Circuits in Collaboration with imec
IonQ announced a collaboration with imec to develop photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and chip-scale ion trap technology for quantum computing. The partnership aims to reduce hardware size and cost while increasing qubit count and system performance by moving from bulk optics to integrated photonic devices. The collaboration, ongoing since 2021, focuses on developing advanced trap fabrication processes and is expected to drive down cost-per-qubit and accelerate market entry for new quantum computers. This announcement follows IonQ's recent opening of a quantum computing manufacturing facility in Bothell, Washington, and its partnership with NKT Photonics for optical subsystems.
IonQ ha annunciato una collaborazione con imec per sviluppare circuiti integrati fotonici (PIC) e tecnologia di trappola ionica su chip per il calcolo quantistico. L'obiettivo della partnership è ridurre le dimensioni e i costi dell'hardware, aumentando al contempo il numero di qubit e le prestazioni del sistema, passando da ottiche volumetriche a dispositivi fotonici integrati. La collaborazione, attiva dal 2021, si concentra sullo sviluppo di processi avanzati di fabbricazione delle trappole ed è prevista per abbattere il costo per qubit e accelerare l'ingresso sul mercato di nuovi computer quantistici. Questo annuncio segue l'apertura recente da parte di IonQ di un impianto di produzione di calcolo quantistico a Bothell, Washington, e la sua partnership con NKT Photonics per i sottosistemi ottici.
IonQ anunció una colaboración con imec para desarrollar circuitos integrados fotónicos (PIC) y tecnología de trampa iónica a escala de chip para la computación cuántica. La asociación tiene como objetivo reducir el tamaño y el costo del hardware, al mismo tiempo que aumenta el número de qubits y el rendimiento del sistema, mediante la transición de ópticas en bloque a dispositivos fotónicos integrados. La colaboración, que comenzó en 2021, se centra en el desarrollo de procesos avanzados de fabricación de trampas y se espera que reduzca el costo por qubit y acelere la entrada al mercado de nuevos computadores cuánticos. Este anuncio sigue a la reciente apertura por parte de IonQ de una instalación de fabricación de computación cuántica en Bothell, Washington, y su asociación con NKT Photonics para subsistemas ópticos.
IonQ는 imec와 협력하여 양자 컴퓨팅을 위한 광집적회로(PIC) 및 칩 규모의 이온 트랩 기술을 개발한다고 발표했습니다. 이 파트너십은 대량의 광학에서 집적 광학 장치로의 전환을 통해 하드웨어 크기와 비용을 줄이는 동시에 큐비트 수와 시스템 성능을 증가시키는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다. 2021년부터 진행 중인 이 협력은 고급 트랩 제작 공정 개발에 중점을 두고 있으며, 큐비트당 비용을 낮추고 새로운 양자 컴퓨터의 시장 진입을 가속화할 것으로 기대됩니다. 이 발표는 IonQ가 최근 워싱턴주 보젤에 양자 컴퓨팅 제조 시설을 개설한 것과, NKT Photonics와 광학 서브시스템을 위한 파트너십을 체결한 것에 뒤따르는 것입니다.
IonQ a annoncé une collaboration avec imec pour développer des circuits intégrés photoniques (PIC) et une technologie de piégeage d'ions à l'échelle des puces pour l'informatique quantique. Cette collaboration vise à réduire la taille et le coût du matériel tout en augmentant le nombre de qubits et les performances du système en passant d'optique volumétrique à des dispositifs photoniques intégrés. Cette coopération, qui dure depuis 2021, se concentre sur le développement de processus de fabrication avancés pour les pièges et devrait permettre de réduire le coût par qubit et d'accélérer l'entrée sur le marché de nouveaux ordinateurs quantiques. Cette annonce fait suite à l'ouverture récente par IonQ d'une usine de fabrication de calcul quantique à Bothell, dans l'État de Washington, et à son partenariat avec NKT Photonics pour des sous-systèmes optiques.
IonQ hat eine Zusammenarbeit mit imec angekündigt, um photonische integrierte Schaltungen (PICs) und Chip-Scale-Ionfallen-Technologie für die Quantencomputing zu entwickeln. Ziel der Partnerschaft ist es, die Hardwaregröße und die Kosten zu reduzieren, während die Anzahl der Qubits und die Systemleistung erhöht werden, indem von Massivoptik auf integrierte photonische Geräte umgestiegen wird. Die seit 2021 laufende Zusammenarbeit konzentriert sich auf die Entwicklung fortschrittlicher Fertigungsprozesse für Fallen und wird voraussichtlich die Kosten pro Qubit senken und den Markteintritt neuer Quantencomputer beschleunigen. Diese Ankündigung folgt der kürzlichen Eröffnung eines Produktionsstandorts für Quantencomputing von IonQ in Bothell, Washington, sowie der Partnerschaft mit NKT Photonics für optische Subsysteme.
- Development of integrated photonic devices expected to reduce overall hardware costs
- Partnership aims to increase qubit count and improve system performance
- Technology advancement could lead to faster time-to-market for new quantum computers
- Potential reduction in cost-per-qubit through improved manufacturing processes
- None.
Insights
This strategic partnership with imec represents a significant technological advancement in IonQ's quantum computing architecture. The development of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and chip-scale ion traps addresses key scalability challenges in quantum computing. Moving from bulk optics to integrated photonics could substantially reduce system complexity and size while improving reliability. The collaboration aims to boost performance metrics through three key improvements:
- Miniaturization of optical components
- Enhanced system integration
- Reduced cost-per-qubit
This partnership strengthens IonQ's competitive position in the quantum computing market by addressing important scalability and cost challenges. The collaboration with imec, a renowned nanoelectronics research center, adds significant credibility to IonQ's technical roadmap. The focus on reducing cost-per-qubit while improving performance could accelerate commercial adoption. This development, combined with their recent manufacturing facility opening and NKT Photonics partnership, demonstrates a comprehensive strategy to build a robust quantum computing infrastructure. The emphasis on enterprise-grade solutions suggests IonQ is positioning itself for commercial applications, which could expand their addressable market and revenue potential.
Traditional trapped ion quantum computing approaches rely on bulk optics for laser light modulation, delivery, and photon collection. By moving traditional bulk optical components into integrated photonic devices, IonQ aims to reduce overall hardware system size and cost, increase qubit count, and improve system performance and robustness. Chip-scale optical technologies and IonQ’s tight integration with imec’s trap manufacturing and packing are expected to open up new system capabilities, increase reliability, drive down overall cost-per-qubit, and reduce time to market for new generations of quantum computers.
“Adding imec to IonQ’s set of fabrication and technology partners will have a profound impact on our ability to increase the computational power of our quantum computers through the co-development of compact, high-performance electro-optical systems,” said Dean Kassmann, IonQ’s SVP of Engineering and Technology. “This partnership marks a significant milestone in IonQ’s path to achieving commercial quantum advantage, demonstrating our commitment to combining technical performance improvements with scalability and enterprise-grade solutions.”
Since 2021, IonQ and imec have worked to prototype and refine photonic and ion trap technologies critical to IonQ’s quantum computing roadmap. This expanded engagement aims to develop advanced trap fabrication processes that will allow much richer trap and device functionality in the future.
“We look forward to strengthening an already successful relationship with IonQ and further advancing what’s possible in chip-scale quantum technology,” said Paul Heremans, SVP Industry & Consumer at imec. “We believe imec’s advanced technologies, in particular integrated photonics, have a pivotal role to play in delivering cutting-edge devices for quantum computing.”
Today’s news marks a strengthening of the multi-year relationship between the two companies and is the latest in a series of manufacturing and supply chain announcements from IonQ.
Earlier this year, IonQ opened the United States’ first quantum computing manufacturing facility in
To learn more about IonQ and its latest system news and business developments, visit https://ionq.com/.
About IonQ
IonQ, Inc. is a leader in quantum computing that delivers high-performance systems capable of solving the world’s largest and most complex commercial and research use cases. IonQ’s current generation quantum computer, IonQ Forte, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems, boasting 36 algorithmic qubits. The company’s innovative technology and rapid growth were recognized in Fast Company’s 2023 Next Big Things in Tech List and Deloitte’s 2023 Technology Fast 500™ List, respectively. Available through all major cloud providers, IonQ is making quantum computing more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ.com.
About imec
imec is a world-leading research and innovation center in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. imec leverages its state-of-the-art R&D infrastructure and its team of more than 5,500 employees and top researchers, for R&D in advanced semiconductor and system scaling, silicon photonics, artificial intelligence, beyond 5G communications and sensing technologies, and in application domains such as health and life sciences, mobility, industry 4.0, agrofood, smart cities, sustainable energy, education. imec unites world-industry leaders across the semiconductor value chain, Flanders-based and international tech, pharma, medical and ICT companies, start-ups, and academia and knowledge centers. imec is headquartered in Leuven (
Further information on imec can be found at www.imec-int.com.
IonQ Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not historical in nature, including the terms “advanced,” “advancing,” “aims,” “believe,” “critical,” “design,” “develop,” “developing,” development,” “expected,” “game-changing technology,” “impact,” “milestone,” “push the boundaries,” “scale,” “scalable,” “reduce,” “towards,” “will,” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those related to IonQ’s quantum computing capabilities and plans, access to IonQ’s quantum computers, the scalability, performance, and reliability of IonQ’s quantum computing offerings, the ability for IonQ’s offerings to accelerate photonic and ion trap technologies, the potential benefits of IonQ’s strategic partnerships, and the advantages of IonQ's approach to the manufacturing of IonQ’s systems. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: changes in laws and regulations affecting IonQ’s business; IonQ’s ability to implement its technical roadmap; the purchase, use and availability of products, components and services supplied by third parties, including third-party IP and manufacturing services; or IonQ’s ability to identify and realize partnerships and opportunities. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company’s filings, including but not limited to those described in the “Risk Factors” section of IonQ’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by IonQ from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and IonQ assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. IonQ does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241107757599/en/
IonQ Media contact:
Tyler Ogoshi
press@ionq.com
IonQ Investor Contact:
investors@ionq.co
Source: IonQ
FAQ
What is IonQ's partnership with imec focused on?
When did IonQ begin its collaboration with imec?
How will the IONQ-imec collaboration improve quantum computing?
What are the expected benefits of IonQ's new photonic integrated circuits?
