Rigetti, alongside QphoX, receives a $5.8 million contract from AFRL to progress superconducting quantum networking technology.
Rigetti Computing, a leading player in the quantum computing industry, has been awarded a significant contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The California-based company will collaborate with the Dutch quantum technology startup, QphoX, to advance superconducting quantum networking.
The goal of the project is to convert individual microwave photons to optical photons while preserving their quantum character. This collaboration is an exciting opportunity, according to Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, CEO of Rigetti Computing. The success and performance of Rigetti's future quantum networking systems, including their potential use in certain applications and scaling to larger, more powerful systems, are subject to various risks and uncertainties.
Rigetti Computing 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.
QphoX, based in Delft, the Netherlands, specializes in quantum transduction systems that enable quantum computers to network over optical frequencies. Their single-photon interfaces bridge the gap between microwave, optical, and telecom frequencies to provide essential quantum links. QphoX's single-photon microwave-optical transducers will be combined with Rigetti's superconducting microwave qubits as part of the project.
AFRL is also involved in the project, developing heterogeneous quantum interconnects for integrating superconducting qubits within telecom-based quantum local area networks (QLANs) in Rome, NY. Quantum networks could provide a path for scaling larger, more powerful quantum computing systems by networking smaller systems together.
The potential applications of quantum networking extend beyond quantum computing. It is being explored for its potential uses in distributed quantum computing and developing a secure quantum internet. Quantum networks could offer capabilities for Air Force and DoD operations, although the specifics of these capabilities are still under investigation.
Dr. Simon Groeblacher, CEO of QphoX, expressed that this contract is a critical milestone for the field and a great commitment from AFRL to pursue interconnected quantum systems. The project aims to deliver systems that can entangle superconducting qubits and optical photons, an essential building block of quantum networking.
This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the development of quantum networking. The success of the project could lead to advancements in quantum computing, secure communication, and distributed quantum systems. The potential benefits are vast, and the future of quantum networking is an exciting one.
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