Infleqtion, a global company that focuses on developing quantum-based solutions and information, has struck an agreement with optoelectronic and photonic manufacturing firm, Thorlabs, to commercialise its highly-integrated optical fibre collimation package.
Accelerating quantum progress with a new fibre technology
The newly forged licensing agreement aims to enhance the reliability of core components essential for the growth of quantum technology across various industries, from healthcare to communications, for researchers and product development teams – helping to accelerate the speed of quantum technology advancements.
Tim Ballance, President of Infleqtion UK, commented: “The real promise of quantum technologies is seen when research turns into tangible products that solve real-world problems. This partnership is the next step in driving breakthroughs that will bring quantum solutions to the global market faster.”
Infleqtion says its innovative fibre collimation package delivers a linearly polarised, collimated beam with a high extinction ratio, alongside integrated power monitoring. Designed to meet the rigorous demands of today’s quantum technology applications, this compact and robust solution simplifies design while improving performance. The development of reliable and cost-effective components, such as the fibre collimation package, is seen to be crucial for the commercial readiness of quantum technologies, increasing their potential economic impact across a diverse range of sectors.
Marco Palumbo, Director of Business Development at Infleqtion, said: "The package is designed for a wide range of quantum technology applications, including quantum computing, sensing, and communications. By offering a compact and robust solution with a linearly polarised collimated beam and integrated power monitoring, it addresses the stringent demands of quantum systems, increasing their commercial readiness and potential for impact across various industries."
Palumbo added: "By making Infleqtion’s advanced collimation package available to a wider market through Thorlabs, the partnership reduces the barriers to entry for companies and researchers working on quantum technologies. This collaboration not only brings critical quantum components to a broader audience but also enhances the integration of these components into tangible, market-ready quantum products, accelerating the overall commercialisation process."
Emerging from the QT Assemble project
Infleqtion’s fibre collimation unit emerged from the Innovate UK-funded project QT Assemble, a £7.3 million consortium initiative led by the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics.
The QT Assemble involves collaboration among 13 organisations in the UK, including ColdQuanta UK Ltd., now operating under the Infleqtion brand. The project is dedicated to creating highly innovative quantum technology assemblies in miniaturised packages, facilitating the broader adoption of quantum technologies.
Keith Dhese, General Manager of Thorlabs, stated: “Through QT Assemble, it’s exciting to see the UK playing such a central role in the global deployment of compact, robust technologies to the fast-growing quantum field. Thorlabs is excited to collaborate with quantum technology companies like Infleqtion to accelerate the commercialisation of the critical components that will drive the next generation of advancements in quantum technology. Thorlabs’ high degree of vertical integration in engineering and manufacturing positions it strongly for these types of partnerships.”
Adding value to the market through partnership
Earlier in the year, Infleqtion also agreed a strategic alliance with QuSTEAM, an orgnisation which seeks to cultivate a new generation of STEM talents, and a partnership with Wolfram Research, the computer, web and cloud software firm.
Working together Infleqtion and QuSTEAM will focus on expanding and improving undergraduate quantum education, integrating practical quantum technologies into the curriculum, and providing opportunities for hands-on learning experiences. In addition, the alliance aims to increase the quantum workforce pipeline through internships, workshops, and co-op opportunities.
Then as part of the agreement with Wolfram Research, Infleqtion will make its quantum matter platform, Oqtant, including its API, available for academic partners to research and develop educational materials using Oqtant and Wolfram’s Quantum Framework.
Neil Anderson, vice president of quantum cores at Infleqtion, then said: “At the heart of these partnerships lies our commitment to not only advance quantum innovation but to expand and enrich the entire ecosystem through dedicated efforts in education and workforce development. Together with QuSTEAM and Wolfram, we're working to create the diverse talent pipeline required as more organisations begin deploying high-value quantum solutions.”
