IonQ & Element Six Pioneer Synthetic Diamond quantum devices
Synthetic Diamond
Quantum-Grade Diamond Materials for Scalable Quantum Systems Advance Due to IonQ
Today, leading commercial quantum computing and networking company IonQ announced a huge achievement in clustered computing and large-scale quantum network hardware development. In conjunction with De Beers Group synthetic diamond materials expert Element Six, IonQ has developed quantum-grade diamond sheets that integrate with semiconductor fabrication technologies. IonQ's path to scalable, fault-tolerant quantum systems will be accelerated by diamond-based quantum devices.
Central Innovation: Foundry-Compatible Diamond Films The freshly developed synthetic diamond films are crucial for photonic interconnects that link quantum computer and quantum memory systems. IonQ's ability to use artificial diamonds with traditional chipmaking methods will accelerate the development of scalable quantum systems and industrial manufacturing of quantum networks and computing devices.
According to Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ, “Foundry-compatible, quantum-grade diamond films change the game in photonic interconnects, compute processors and quantum networking.” He said this innovation will enable widespread production of reliable, high-performance quantum network equipment. This relationship leverages Element Six's global leadership in emerging synthetic diamond materials.
Scaling Production and Hybrid Integration
Because micro- and nano-structured quantum devices require precise material requirements, fabrication was limited to specialised, R&D-scale processes that were unreliable for at-scale manufacturing. Element Six's materials allow IonQ's innovative way to connect quantum-grade diamond sheets to silicon and silicon nitride substrates, overcoming this hurdle.
This breakthrough enables two crucial functions.
Foundry Compatibility: For the first time, synthetic diamond quantum devices may be fabricated using the same equipment and processes as the $1 trillion semiconductor industry. For mass production of diamond-based sensors, quantum memory, and microelectromechanical systems, this is necessary.
Synthetic diamond can now be used in hybrid, on-chip systems that integrate quantum and classical materials. In one chip, diamond-based quantum memory can be combined with switches, modulators, and electrical control layers.
Faster Quantum Networking and More
This makes IonQ's quantum technology stack including quantum repeaters and interconnects foundry-compatible. The ability to industrialise thin film quantum-grade diamonds opens up new markets in quantum sensing, computers, and networking. Siobhán Duffy, CEO of Element Six, calls synthetic diamond “one of the most promising platform materials for quantum technologies,” with ecosystem applications in networking and sensing that enable at-scale fabrication of high-performance devices.
IonQ's Future and Achievements
Based on its recent Lightsynq purchase and photonic connection roadmap improvements, IonQ released its statement today. Using Lightsynq's photonic connectivity, quantum memory, and intellectual property portfolio could help IonQ build scalable, fault-tolerant quantum systems.
To deliver the most powerful quantum computers with two million qubits by 2030, IonQ is accelerating its technology roadmap. Innovation will increase in medical development, materials research, financial modelling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defence. Due to quantum networking advancements, the business leads quantum internet development.
IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, the company's current quantum computers, have helped NVIDIA, AstraZeneca, and Amazon Web Services achieve 20x performance. Company intellectual property now includes over 1,000 trapped-ion quantum computing patents.
Collaborators: IonQ, Element Six
IonQ, the leading quantum networking and computing company, provides high-performance technologies to solve global problems. For its innovative technology and rapid growth, Forbes' 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies list and Newsweek's 2025 Excellence Index 1000 have recognized the company.
De Beers Group's Element Six specializes in synthetic diamond material development, research, and production. For nearly 80 years, Element Six has used synthetic diamond's exceptional properties to serve oil and gas and automakers. Applications include photonics, acoustics, power transmission, water treatment, thermal management, and sensors.












