Expanding Collaboration: IonQ strengthens its relationship with imec to develop photonic technologies.
Enhanced Quantum Systems: The focus is on compact designs that improve scalability and reduce costs.
Next-Generation Development: Advanced chip-scale ion traps and photonic circuits are in the pipeline.
IonQ and imec are expanding their collaboration to incorporate photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and chip-scale ion trap technology into trapped ion quantum computing. This partnership focuses on refining design, production, and integration processes to enhance scalability and to optimize the performance of next-generation quantum systems.
Traditional systems depend heavily on bulk optics for light modulation and photon collection. By transitioning to integrated photonic devices, IonQ aims to streamline hardware, increase qubit capacity, and improve system reliability. As well, this integration of chip-scale photonics is expected to reduce manufacturing costs and speed up the development of future quantum computing models.
"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,"
— Dean Kassmann, SVP of Engineering and Technology, IonQ
Since 2021, IonQ and imec have been working together to develop photonic and ion trap technologies essential for IonQ’s roadmap. The collaboration will now include refining fabrication techniques to provide additional functionalities in future systems, enabling broader applications for quantum computing.
"We believe imec’s advanced technologies, in particular integrated photonics, have a pivotal role to play in delivering cutting-edge devices for quantum computing."
— Paul Heremans, SVP Industry & Consumer, imec
The partnership aligns with IonQ’s broader initiatives, which include the establishment of the first quantum computing manufacturing facility in Bothell, Washington, and the introduction of new optical subsystems in collaboration with NKT Photonics. Together, these efforts aim to accelerate the development of scalable, high-performance quantum technologies.
