US-based IonQ has achieved a record speed for communication between quantum systems, generating more than 1,000 quantum entanglements per second through photonic interconnects. The technology links a trapped-ion qubit to a solid-state quantum memory and could help create interconnected quantum systems.
Quantum entanglement allows separate systems to function as a correlated whole and plays an important role in building networks of quantum computers. Trapped-ion qubits are distinguished by their ability to maintain quantum states for long periods, while solid-state quantum memory interacts efficiently with light. Combining these two approaches could accelerate data transfer between quantum systems.
The results presented by the company are based on tests conducted using real hardware, during which a trapped-ion system was connected to a qubit based on a vacancy center in a silicon crystal. The recorded speed is more than four times the previous record for trapped ions, set by a research team at Duke University led by IonQ co-founder Chris Monroe.
IonQ CEO Niccolo de Masi said the achievement addresses one of the major technical barriers to connecting quantum systems and advances the company's plans to build networked quantum data centers in the future. According to IonQ Chief Scientist Chris Monroe, using photons to establish connections between qubits is one of the essential requirements for building large-scale quantum computers.
The technology is also being developed under the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) HARQ program, which aims to create fast quantum links compatible with different types of qubits. Although trapped ions were used in the latest experiment, the architecture could also be applied to neutral atoms and superconducting systems through appropriate transducers.
IonQ is also commercializing the technology. In April, the company announced the sale of its first system to the University of Maryland, followed by the sale of a second system to South Korean company SDT in September.
The development of quantum computers depends not only on the power of individual devices but also on their ability to transfer data between one another. If systems cannot establish fast and reliable connections, combining them into a single large network will become a major technical challenge. For this reason, improvements in communication speed are particularly important for the practical application of quantum computing.
However, a laboratory result alone does not mean the technology is ready for large-scale deployment. The next important steps are to demonstrate compatibility with different types of qubits and ensure stable communication in real-world systems. IonQ's participation in the DARPA program and its system sales indicate that the company is working in parallel on both technological development and practical implementation.
