Quantinuum Launches 56-Qubit Quantum Computer: Week in Brief: 6/7/2024

Quantinuum, an integrated quantum computing company, has developed a quantum computer with 56 trapped-ion qubits. Called the H2-1, the computer was tested by a joint team from Quantinuum and JPMorgan Chase by running a random circuit sampling algorithm that achieved an estimated 30,000x reduction in power consumption compared to classical supercomputers and a 100x improvement over a similar test done by Google in 2019. Quantinuum also recently closed a $300 million equity fundraise anchored by JPMorgan Chase, bringing the total capital raised by Quantinuum since inception to approximately $625 million.

Quantinuum’s H2-1 ion-trap. Courtesy of Quantinuum.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) has completed construction on a $46 million building expansion that began in August 2022. The 66,600 sq ft, three-floor building houses 15,500 sq ft of laboratory space with seating for 132 LLE staff and students and 2,900 sq ft of collaboration space with seating for an additional 117 people. The space will enable construction of the AMICA laser system, prototyping of the NSF OPAL lasers, and creation of next-generation targets, diagnostics, and optics for national security efforts.

The interior of the 66,000 sq ft LLE building expansion. Courtesy of the University of Rochester.

MÉRIGNAC, France — Electro-optical technologies company Exosens has launched an initial public offering on Euronext Paris through a private placement. The decision stemmed from a desire to reduce the company’s debt in order to increase its financial flexibility and support its development and growth strategy. Exosens’ shares are set to be traded starting June 7 at €20 ($21.78) per share.

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y. — IBM and Pasqal, a neutral atom-based quantum computer developer, have formed a partnership to develop a common approach to quantum-centric supercomputing and promoting application research in chemistry and materials science. The companies aim to work together to define the software integration architecture for a quantum-centric supercomputer that orchestrates computational workflows across multiple modalities of quantum computers and advanced classical compute clusters. IBM and Pasqal also plan to co-sponsor a regional HPC technical forum in Germany, with plans to expand this effort in other geographies.

HERZOGENRATH, Germany — AIXTRON, a provider of deposition equipment to the semiconductor industry, has acquired a production site near Turin, Italy. The location will allow AIXTRON to establish links to university and supplier ecosystems in the region. The addition strengthens the company's presence in Europe, which includes locations in Germany and the U.K.

(From left) I-Yu Huang, dean of the College of Semiconductor and Advanced Technology Research at NSYSU; Ying-Yao Cheng, president of NSYSU and minister of education in Taiwan; Madhavan Swaminathan, head of electrical engineering at Penn State; and Shiao-Wei Kuo, dean of the NSYSU College of Engineering. Courtesy of Madhavan Swaminathan.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State University and the National Sun Yat-Sen University (NSYSU) in Taiwan will partner on the development of educational and research programs focused on semiconductor technology and photonics after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in April. The MOU outlines a plan to create opportunities for collaboration in the fields of semiconductor technology and photonics, including professional training programs, faculty and student exchanges, joint research projects and educational programs, and developing and conducting joint seminars and academic events.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — ANELLO Photonics, a provider of photonics solutions for autonomous applications, has entered into a partnership with Key Dollar Cab, an OEM and technology integrator, to bring ANELLO’s optical gyroscope technology to agriculture applications. The focus will be on enhancing positioning accuracy in orchards and other high value crop environments with limited GPS availability. The partnership aims to address the growing demand for more robust and accurate positioning systems in orchards where precise navigation is needed for optimizing operations and maximizing yield.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — AI-powered spectral intelligence company HyperSpectral has emerged from stealth with $8.5 million in series A funding, co-led by RRE Ventures and Kibo Ventures. The funds will allow the company to accelerate development of its hardware-agnostic particle detection technology, hire talent, and create wider AI datasets through lab partnerships and testing. HyperSpectral's focus is on using spectroscopy for the agricultural and medical industries to detect pathogens such as E. coli, salmonella, listeria, staph aureus, and others.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Intel Corporation has signed a definitive agreement with Apollo, an alternative asset manager. Apollo-managed funds and affiliates will lead an investment of $11 billion to acquire a 49% equity interest in a joint venture entity related to Intel’s Fab 34 in Leixlip, Ireland. Under the agreement, the joint venture will have rights to manufacture wafers at Fab 34 to support long-term demand for Intel’s products and provide capacity for Intel Foundry customers. Fab 34 is Intel’s extreme ultraviolet lithography high-volume manufacturing facility designed for wafers using the Intel 4 and Intel 3 process technologies.

Aalyria’s Spacetime platform. Courtesy of Aalyria.

LIVERMORE, Calif. — Networking and laser communications technologies company Aalyria has been awarded an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract by the U.S. Space Force Rapid Capabilities Office. The $1 billion contract includes Aalyria among a select group of companies chosen to advance network command and control capabilities in support of dynamic space operations for the Rapid Resilient Command and Control Combined Program Office (R2C2 CPO). The company’s Spacetime platform, a network routing and orchestration software, will be used to help the R2C2 program develop a system to enable the synchronization of orbital assets, such as satellites or spacecraft, for potential conflict.