- IonQ (IONQ, Financial) completes acquisition of Lightsynq Technologies, enhancing its quantum computing and networking capabilities.
- The acquisition includes over 20 patents related to quantum memory and interconnect technologies.
- This strategic move accelerates IonQ’s roadmap towards scalable, fault-tolerant quantum systems and advances quantum internet development.
IonQ (IONQ), a leader in quantum computing and networking, has successfully completed the acquisition of Lightsynq Technologies, a startup based in Boston specializing in photonic interconnects and quantum memory. The acquisition is set to accelerate IonQ’s development of scalable and fault-tolerant quantum systems, a significant leap forward in their quantum internet roadmap.
Lightsynq’s technologies, which include high-fidelity, multi-node qubit operations and modularity, are essential for the scalability of quantum computers. These technologies complement IonQ’s existing trapped-ion quantum computing approach, enhancing its quantum networking systems.
"With this acquisition, we’re not just acquiring talent and technology; we’re accelerating our development timeline to fault-tolerant quantum computers and long-distance networking capabilities," stated Niccolo de Masi, CEO of IonQ. The acquisition shifts the focus from experimental bulk optics to scalable optical chips, bringing IonQ closer to commercializing the next generation of advanced quantum technologies and the quantum internet.
Founded by experts from Harvard and former AWS research leads, Lightsynq has developed universal photonic interconnect solutions. These solutions are designed to link multiple quantum processing units with high bandwidth, effectively scaling quantum systems. IonQ’s acquisition also includes over 20 patents, enhancing its intellectual property portfolio in the quantum computing and networking industry.
This strategic acquisition is part of IonQ’s broader expansion in the quantum networking space, following recent acquisitions of Qubitekk and ID Quantique, and the development of a quantum computing and networking innovation center in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
