IonQ acquires Lightsynq to accelerate quantum computing and networking
The company says that Lightsynq’s photonic quantum interconnects will accelerate its technology development roadmaps, enabling it to scale to millions of qubits
IonQ, a quantum computing and networking company, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Lightsynq, a Boston-based start-up focusing on photonic quantum interconnects. The company expects that Lightsynq’s team and IP will significantly accelerate its quantum networking and quantum computing roadmaps.
“IonQ’s vision has always been to scale our quantum networks through quantum repeaters, and scale our quantum compute power through photonic interconnects. Today’s announcement of our intention to acquire Lightsynq helps accelerate both roadmaps,” said Niccolo de Masi, CEO of IonQ. “We are pleased to welcome Lightsynq founders Dr. Mihir Bhaskar, Dr. Bart Machielse, Dr. David Levonian and the rest of the Lightsynq team to IonQ. Their groundbreaking technology will accelerate IonQ’s commercial quantum computer delivery to 10,000s and ultimately millions of qubits.”
Lightsynq was founded with the goal of building the leading photonic interconnect platform to enable high-fidelity, multi-nodal qubit operations. Last year, the start-up raised $18 million in Series A funding to develop its technology, based on colour centres in diamond photonic devices, which it says could pave the way to foundry-scale production of quantum interconnects.
Lightsynq says its approach not only supports modular scalability, but also advances fault-tolerance for creating the world’s most powerful interconnected quantum systems. The unique architecture provides a powerful platform to support IonQ’s quantum computers and advance the company’s quantum networking roadmap, the company adds.
“We're excited to work alongside the world-class quantum computing and networking teams at IonQ. Together we intend to move faster than any other player in the industry to deliver datacentre-scale quantum computers that can deliver transformative value to customers,” said Lightsynq CEO Mihir Bhaskar. “Our photonic interconnect will integrate with IonQ’s quantum processing units (QPUs) to boost connection speeds and ensure long-term market-leading scale and power in quantum computing. Our interconnect will also be critical for IonQ to build the quantum internet, enabling entirely new applications for customers in the financial, telecommunications, aerospace, and defence sectors.”
IonQ will also acquire ownership of Lightsynq’s portfolio of over 20 technology patents and patent applications related to quantum memory.
This acquisition follows IonQ’s recent announcement that it will be jointly developing a new quantum computing innovation centre with EPB in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The company has also recently acquired quantum networking companies Qubitekk and ID Quantique, and signed networking contracts with defence and intelligence organisations like the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) and the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
