QphoX, Welinq Quantum and Sorbonne Unite for Meet-Q project
Project Meet-Q: Quantum Leaders Collaborate to Develop Optical Interconnects for Hybrid Quantum Networking
Industry heavyweights QphoX and Welinq established Meet-Q with Sorbonne University. Quantum technology has advanced significantly. This strategic cooperation aims to build optical quantum interconnects for scalable hybrid quantum networking. Meet-Q proposes to combine quantum memory and quantum frequency converters with funding from BPI France and Quantum Delta NL.
Closing the Distance Between Networks and Processors
The Meet-Q concept is based on establishing critical optical connections between a quantum memory and quantum computers. This connection aims to address significant barriers that presently stand in the way of the development of huge quantum networks and quantum computing systems.
As the capabilities of quantum computing continue to advance, there is an increasing need to connect disparate processors into dependable, large-scale networks. Optical interconnects are expected to be essential to this expansion process. These interconnects enable reliable communication over long distances, the expansion of the overall size of quantum computers, and the seamless transfer of quantum information between processors.
It is believed that the successful implementation of such links is essential to the future development of hybrid quantum networks. Realising the full potential of quantum computing in a number of fields, including artificial intelligence (AI), materials research, medicine, and encryption, is believed to depend on success in this area.
The main objective of Meet-Q is unambiguously to bridge the gap between quantum computers and optical quantum network technologies. By building these optical links, the project will make key quantum storage and repeater technology accessible for the most advanced quantum processor modalities, including superconducting circuits. Connecting different quantum systems is the first step towards building quantum data centres that can support fast and reliable computation. It is also recognised that this collaborative effort is essential to the development of key technology interfaces and the broader expansion of access to quantum networks.
Making Use of Complementary Knowledge
The Meet-Q project effectively leverages the unique strengths of each partner:
QphoX:
Quantum transduction and frequency conversion QphoX is a Delft, Netherlands-based company that sells its state-of-the-art quantum transduction and frequency converter technologies. QphoX specialises in developing systems that span many frequency domains, such as the optical and microwave spectrum, to enable effective networking among various quantum computers. Their expertise in frequency domain bridging is necessary to realise scalable quantum computing.
Welinq and Sorbonne University
The Memory of Quantum Welinq is a state-of-the-art company situated in Paris that specialises in providing full quantum networking solutions, including scalable hardware and software for quantum computing. Welinq is offering its QDrive, the world's most popular patented quantum memory buffer. The QDrive is the commercial result of two decades of innovative research conducted by CNRS and Sorbonne Université. Welinq was founded in 2022 by Tom Darras, Julien Laurat, and Eleni Diamanti following its separation from PSL University, CNRS, and Sorbonne University. The company's objective is to support the widespread integration of quantum computing by offering complete solutions for secure communication networks and quantum data centres.
Executive Viewpoint
The leaders of the participating companies highlighted the strategic importance of this combination.
Simon Gröblacher, co-founder and CEO of QphoX, emphasised the necessity of integrating these disparate technologies, saying, "The ability to connect a quantum processor to a quantum memory will be of critical importance to realise hybrid quantum networks – we are excited to be working on bringing these technologies together with our world-leading partners Welinq and Sorbonne University."
Tom Darras, co-founder and CEO of Welinq, emphasised the benefit for their clients by stating, "We are excited to grow our partnership with QphoX." Their method will improve Welinq's full-stack networking solution and allow our datacenter customers to easily integrate superconducting quantum computers into heterogeneous infrastructures.
By combining these complementary technologies and speeding the development of dependable, large-scale quantum networks, Meet-Q seeks to place its partners at the forefront of the rapidly evolving quantum data centre scene.