Optical computer installed at UK National Quantum Computing Centre

16 Jul 2024

Infleqtion collaborates with NQCC on infrastructure for security, traffic management, and more.

Infleqtion has installed a neutral atom quantum computer at the UK NQCC.

Infleqtion, a quantum information company, has installed a “neutral atom quantum computer” at the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). Infleqtion says it is the first company to deploy hardware at the NQCC under its quantum computing testbed program.

Tim Ballance, President of Infleqtion UK, said, “Together, we are establishing crucial infrastructure components such as network infrastructure, safety protocols, and security measures. Infleqtion has completed our second milestone, which includes the installation and in-situ characterisation of primary lasers, optical, vacuum, and electronic subsystems necessary for the quantum computer to function.”

Infleqtion’s quantum software team are working on near term applications of quantum computing with NQCC researchers and Infleqtion’s partners Oxfordshire County Council, Riverlane, and QinetiQ.

Practical applications

This work includes using Infleqtion’s Superstaq software to apply quantum optimisation to tackle challenges such as traffic management in the UK region. A principal goal of these activities is to demonstrate the practical applications of quantum technology on both a regional and national scale, particularly in national security and defense.

Infleqtion will also participate in the upcoming UK Quantum Hackathon, NQCC’s flagship annual event under the SparQ user engagement programme. This event unites aspiring end users with industry mentors to solve practical challenges using quantum computing.

Aimed at students and early career researchers, the hackathon offers hands-on experience with quantum algorithms and coding. Over three days, participants will work in teams to develop solutions and showcase their results in healthcare, energy, and engineering. Infleqtion will equip users NQCC Hackathon users with its Superstaq quantum software platform, to achieve optimal performance from quantum computers.

Infleqtion CEO, Matthew Kinsella, said, “We are thrilled to be the first quantum company to deploy hardware at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire to accelerate innovation, foster industry adoption, and facilitate research on application development.”

Dr. Michael Cuthbert, NQCC’s Director, said, “These system-level prototypes will help the NQCC and its collaborators to understand the unique characteristics of different hardware approaches, establish appropriate metrics for each qubit architecture, and explore the types of applications that benefit most from each technological approach.

“This will directly feed into the NQCC's ongoing engagement with organisations across academia, industry, and government to develop use cases for early-stage quantum computers and to identify the innovations needed to accelerate the development and adoption of this transformative technology.”