Quantum groups combine to drive European quantum computing sector

20 Mar 2024

ORCA, Pixel Photonics, Sparrow Q, Niels Bohr Inst. work on ‘SupremeQ’ Eurostars project.

ORCA PT-1 computer in assembly room.

ORCA Computing, Pixel Photonics, Sparrow Quantum, and the Niels Bohr Institute (NBI) have announced their collaboration on the Eurostars project “SupremeQ”. The initiative is bringing together quantum experts from the UK, Germany, and Denmark with the shared goal of “accelerating the development and commercialization of photonic quantum computing technologies to deliver quantum advantage”.

Supported by Eurostars, a European funding program dedicated to assisting R&D-performing SMEs in developing marketable innovative products, processes, and services, the SupremeQ project will harness world-leading expertise.

The project’s launch statement says, “It will draw upon single-photon sources from Sparrow Quantum and NBI, single-photon detectors from Pixel Photonics, and full-stack photonic quantum computing system architecture from ORCA Computing. By uniting efforts, the SupremeQ consortium aims to drive breakthrough innovation in photonic quantum computing, paving the way for quantum advantage.”

‘Growing market demand‘

According to a report by analyst Fortune Business Insights, “the quantum computing market is forecasted to reach $6.5 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 32.1%”.

With a broad range of potential application areas offering significant advantages over current classical computations. The SupremeQ project aims to address the needs of this growing market demand for quantum computing capabilities by addressing key challenges such as system engineering for scale, high acquisition, and operation costs, as well as the need for specialized expertise.

By pioneering solutions for photonic quantum computing, the project aims to unveil groundbreaking innovations in performance, packaging, and system integration. Sparrow Quantum’s single-photon sources and Pixel Photonics’ detectors will be engineered to co-exist within a single cryostat.

With reduced complexity and enhanced component proximity, this crucial milestone heralds the path to multiplying qubits while offering considerable manufacturability and cost advantages.

ORCA Computing will draw upon its deep knowledge in quantum photonic system architecture. This expertise will be used to integrate these developments and demonstrate state-of-the-art photon processing efficiencies and reconfigurability within a standard data center rack.

These advances are necessary for the commercialization of quantum computers to reach advantage over classical computing systems signifying a significant leap toward achieving universal fault-tolerant quantum computing.

As the quantum computing market continues to evolve, the consortium is confident that their innovative SupremeQ solutions will generate considerable interest, driving diverse applications and accelerating the widespread adoption of quantum technologies across industries well beyond the conclusion of the Eurostars program.

Consortium perspectives

“I envision SupremeQ as a symphony of quantum brilliance, with each partner playing a unique instrument,” said Dr. Kurt Stokbro, CEO of Sparrow Quantum. “Together, we’re composing a masterpiece that I believe will make some noise around the world.”

Nicolai Walter, CEO of Pixel Photonics, commented, “The advancements made possible through the SupremeQ project represent a significant leap forward in quantum computing technology. By combining cutting-edge components and innovative architecture, we will be well-positioned to redefine the boundaries of what is possible in quantum computing.”

Richard Murray, CEO of ORCA Computing, said, “With its unparalleled performance, the outcome of this project will spearhead new frontiers in hybrid quantum-classical computation, driving significant advancements in machine learning and optimization.”

And Peter Lodahl, Professor at the Niels Bohr Institute, added, “We are thrilled to collaborate with esteemed industry partners on the SupremeQ project, which represents a significant step forward in quantum computing innovation.”