Delft-based QphoX, a developer of quantum modems and transducers and Rigetti Computing, a California-based developer of superconducting quantum integrated circuits, were awarded a three-year, $5.8M (approximately €4.9M) contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to advance superconducting quantum networking.
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Why this contract?
Quantum networking is being studied for its potential in distributed quantum computing and a secure quantum internet.
It connects smaller quantum systems, improving computing power and enabling information transfer between distant quantum nodes.
Current networks use optical data transfer, which could benefit quantum information by allowing long-distance communication between cooled quantum processors.
A significant challenge is converting microwave signals for superconducting qubits into optical photons for fibre optics.
This project focuses on achieving entanglement between superconducting qubits and optical photons, a key element for quantum networking.
Rigetti x QphoX
Rigetti and QphoX have demonstrated a system that combines qubits and transducers.
Now, they plan to merge Rigetti’s superconducting microwave qubits with QphoX’s single-photon microwave-optical transducers.
By transferring excitations from the qubit chip resonators to the transducers, the individual microwave photons will be converted to optical photons while still preserving their quantum character.
QphoX: Developing quantum transduction systems
Led by Dr. Simon Groeblacher, QphoX is a developer of quantum transduction systems that enable quantum computers to network over optical frequencies.
Utilising the decades of progress in photonic, MEMS and superconducting device nanofabrication, their single-photon interfaces bridge the gap between microwave, optical and telecom frequencies to provide essential quantum links between computation, state storage and networking.
“Bringing our technology together with our partners directly into the hands of an end-user who develops quantum networks based on superconducting qubits linked with optical interconnects is a critical milestone for this field. This contract represents a great commitment from AFRL to pursue interconnected quantum systems, and it’s fantastic to work with the expert team at Rigetti to make this goal a reality,” says Dr. Simon Groeblacher, CEO of QphoX.
Rigetti: Pioneering full-stack quantum computing
Rigetti specialises in full-stack quantum computing. The Company has operated quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform.
The company’s proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure provides high-performance integration with public and private clouds for practical quantum computing.
Rigetti has developed the industry’s first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems.
The Company designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, the industry’s first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility.
“By joining Rigetti’s leadership in designing, fabricating, and operating superconducting qubits with QphoX’s world-class transduction technology, and AFRL’s expertise in hybrid networked quantum systems, this is an exciting opportunity to advance superconducting quantum networking,” says Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, CEO of Rigetti. “We are very pleased that AFRL is supporting this technology, which is important for the U.S. to maintain its global leadership in quantum information science.”
