Infleqtion announces collaboration with Silicon Light Machines
The company says this partnership, which will involve integrating Silicon Light Machines’ modulator technology into Infleqtion’s quantum computing systems, is a strategic step towards enhancing the critical photonics technologies and components needed to effectively scale its neutral atom quantum computer
Infleqtion, a company focusing on neutral atom-based quantum technology, has announced a strategic partnership with Silicon Light Machines (SLM), a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) innovator based in Silicon Valley. The collaboration explores the integration of SLM’s MEMS Displacement Phase Modulator (DPMTM) technology into Infleqtion’s neutral atom quantum computing systems, with the goal of unlocking unprecedented performance gains and enabling quantum computer scaling. This news follows the announcement Infleqtion plans to go public via a merger with Churchill Capital Corp X.
According to the companies, SLM’s silicon-germanium MEMS technology integrates high-speed, non-contact piston phase modulators onto CMOS drivers to enhance both performance and reliability. These innovations aim to enable faster phase modulation that is critical for advanced quantum applications such as individual qubit addressing, as well as optical multiplexing and scalable laser processing applications.
“Integrated photonics are central to Infleqtion’s strategy for advancing neutral atom systems and commercialising quantum technologies,” said Paul Morton, CTO of photonics at Infleqtion. “Our future quantum products will leverage advanced PICs for miniaturisation, cost reduction, and enhanced ruggedness across three critical domains: laser systems, frequency control, and atom addressing. The SLM DPM device represents a breakthrough in fast and scalable atom addressing, our neutral atom quantum computing platform.”
Infleqtion says its neutral atom quantum computers use laser-based optical tweezers to manipulate thousands of individually trapped atoms, allowing high-speed, high-fidelity operations across large-scale qubit systems. The company adds that this architecture supports advanced features like dual-species arrays for low-overhead mid-circuit measurement and efficient error correction, which are key enablers for scalable, fault-tolerant computing.
“Infleqtion leads the field in scaling neutral atom quantum systems,” said Thomas Noel, vice president of quantum computing at Infleqtion. “We are exploring how the speed and flexibility enabled by Silicon Light Machines’ DPMTM will help us accelerate that leadership by increasing the operating speed of our hardware and ultimately reducing the application runtime for our customers.”
Lars Eng, CEO of Silicon Light Machines, commented: “Quantum computing is transitioning from theoretical to transformational. Our DPM technology offers the precision and speed needed to meet the scalability demands of neutral atom systems. We’re proud to partner with Infleqtion to help bring quantum into real-world applications.”
