Photonic quantum computing firm, Quandela, and quantum networking company, Welinq, have announced the agreement of a partnership that will see the two businesses work together on custom quantum links.
The collaborative venture intends to bring Quandela’s expertise in photonic quantum computing together with Welinq’s pioneering full-stack quantum interconnects technology, to provide custom quantum links for photonic quantum computers. In doing so, the firms hope to help progress the development of clusters of interconnected and error-corrected photonic quantum computers.
Joining forces to advance QPU scaling
Error correction is fundamental to allowing quantum processing units (QPUs) to execute algorithms across vast numbers of qubits – with the goal of realising the promise of quantum computing’s powers.
Tom Darras, CEO and co-founder, Welinq, said: “Welinq’s interconnect technology natively offers compatibility with all existing QPU architectures. We are delighted to partner with Quandela, a recognised leader in photonic quantum computing, to push the boundaries of our full-stack quantum interconnect technology and demonstrate the added value of our solution for scalability and error correction.”
According to Quandela, the firms will combine their expertise to support fault-tolerant computing and the expansion of comprehensive quantum networks, beyond the capabilities of a single chip.
Niccolo Somaschi, CEO and co-founder, Quandela, commented: “This strategic partnership with Welinq marks a significant milestone in our quest to scale photonic quantum computing. By combining Quandela’s expertise in photonic quantum processors, with Welinq’s cutting-edge quantum interconnect technology, we’re laying the groundwork for clusters of interconnected, error-corrected photonic quantum computers.”
Somaschi continued: “This collaboration puts us at the forefront of the quantum revolution, bringing us closer to enable the full potential of quantum computing via networked quantum computers.”
Recognising the value of QPUs
QPUs are highly efficient and reliable for carrying out complex quantum computations, as the photons can provide high-speed data transmission with minimal interference.
It is possible to link multiple QPUs, though it is a process that demands additional technological advancements and represents a huge technological challenge in itself. Full-stack quantum interconnects are crucial for this linking, regardless of the qubit modality. Such interconnects enhance the overall computational power, allowing quantum information to be transferred between different processors with high fidelity and low latency.
According to Quandela, Welinq’s quantum memories ensure that the integrity of quantum information is maintained during transmission, which is essential for the development of robust and scalable quantum networks.
Ultimately, the partnership will allow both firms to work together to develop fully-fledged clusters of photonic quantum computers, which would have both hardware and algorithmic advantages over alternative approaches.
Lead image: chanakyamandal
