US quantum computing firm Rigetti secures $5.8M AFRL contract
Building on Rigetti and QphoX’s successful demonstration of qubit-transducer systems working together to perform optical single-shot qubit readout, the team plans to combine superconducting microwave qubits developed by Rigetti with single-photon microwave-optical transducers developed by QphoX.
Rigetti Computing, a US-based quantum computing company, has announced that it has been awarded a three-year, USD 5.8 million contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to advance superconducting quantum networking. Rigetti will be collaborating with QphoX, a Dutch quantum technology startup developing leading frequency conversion systems for quantum applications, according to a media release.
A key challenge to networking superconducting quantum computers is the need to convert the microwave signals, which are used to control superconducting qubits, to optical photons that can travel along those fibers. This project aims to deliver systems providing entanglement between superconducting qubits and optical photons, the essential building block of quantum networking.
Building on Rigetti and QphoX’s successful demonstration of qubit-transducer systems working together to perform optical single-shot qubit readout, the team plans to combine superconducting microwave qubits developed by Rigetti with single-photon microwave-optical transducers developed by QphoX. 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.
“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,” said Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, Rigetti CEO. “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.”
“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,” said Dr. Simon Groeblacher, QphoX CEO. “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.”
“AFRL is actively pursuing the development of heterogeneous quantum interconnects for integrating matter-based quantum technologies, including superconducting qubits, within our recently established telecom-based quantum local area networks (QLANs) in Rome, NY,” said Matt LaHaye, principal research physicist with AFRL. “Interconnects that link superconducting qubit processors with telecom QLANs will be a transformative step to investigations of entanglement distribution for fundamental research and capabilities for Air Force and DoD operations.”
