IonQ, a leader in the quantum computing sector, has reached a significant milestone in its quest to scale quantum systems by successfully demonstrating remote ion-ion entanglement. This accomplishment builds upon the ion-photon entanglement results announced in February and marks the second of four critical milestones needed to develop photonic interconnects. These interconnects are essential for quantum networking and are central to IonQ’s scaling strategy.
The achievement was made possible by IonQ’s world-class research and development team, who entangled two trapped ion qubits from different trap wells using entangled photons. The team developed a system that collects photons from these two trap wells and directs them to a single detection hub. This vital “point-to-point” step established a quantum communication link, a fundamental component in scaling quantum systems.
Although IonQ has always aimed to incorporate photonic interconnects into its systems, no other company has demonstrated the capability to integrate this technology within a commercially available, enterprise-grade quantum computer.
“IonQ’s guiding principle is to achieve scalability at high performance, and our progress toward photonic interconnects will ensure that our customers have access to large quantum systems capable of addressing complex problems,” stated Peter Chapman, President & CEO of IonQ. “We are consistently making strides on our technical roadmap, and customers in both academia and industry recognize the unique value our systems offer as we approach commercial quantum advantage.”
Dr. Björn Flatt, Head of Emerging Technologies at IonQ, added, “Our unique architecture and technology focus on scaling qubits within a single ion trap while networking multiple traps together to achieve commercial quantum advantage. With our recent achievements, we are now concentrating on the next phase: transferring ion-ion entanglement to the quantum processing unit (QPU). We are dedicated to advancing this technology and preparing photonic interconnects for integration into commercially available quantum computers.”
IonQ is rapidly progressing towards achieving massive scalability through modularity and photonic interconnects. The company’s technological and architectural strategies embrace a practical approach that balances three core pillars essential for commercial advantage: performance, scalability, and enterprise-grade capabilities. Governments, global enterprises, and academic institutions worldwide rely on IonQ to deliver fast, accurate, and accessible quantum computers, unlocking new opportunities across various industries.
For more information on IonQ and its latest updates in systems and business developments, visit ionq.com.
