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24 Sep 2025
Rapidly expanding US company finds a way to convert visible light to telecom wavelengths for long-distance quantum networking.
IonQ, the Maryland-based quantum computing and networking startup, is claiming a significant breakthrough in the development of quantum networking.
In collaboration with the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), a major research partner using its photonics-based quantum computing systems, IonQ says it has found a way to convert the visible-range light produced by trapped barium ions to telecom wavelengths suitable for fiber-optic transmission.
Although the company did not cite any scientific publications detailing the work it suggests that - in principle - the approach could be applied to real-world telecom infrastructure, and extend interconnections between quantum computers to existing long-distance networks.
Quantum Internet
“The ability to transform visible light, which is used in IonQ's trapped ion quantum systems, into telecom wavelengths is essential for transmitting quantum information efficiently over long-haul fiber optic cables,” announced the firm, which a couple of months ago raised $1 billion in a series E round of venture funding.
“This milestone signifies a major advancement in IonQ's long-term vision for the Quantum Internet - distributed quantum computing via secure quantum networks.”
Company CEO Niccolo de Masi added: “I am thrilled to announce that we have taken an important step towards enabling the Quantum Internet. Working closely with AFRL, we are the first quantum company to demonstrate the ability to convert visible signals to telecom wavelengths.
“We will soon connect two quantum computers over standard wavelengths, opening the floodgates for broadly networked quantum devices using commercial fiber infrastructure.”
IonQ’s announcement comes around six months after it delivered and commissioned a trapped-ion quantum computer featuring an integrated photonic interface to AFRL’s site in Rome, New York.
Acquisition spree
In the meantime the company has been busily acquiring other quantum computing and networking firms, the most recent being an all-stock deal to buy the quantum sensing pioneer Vector Atomic.
Founded in 2018 and based in Silicon Valley, Vector specializes in rack-mounted optical atomic clocks and advanced PNT (position, navigation, and timing) systems.
“The company’s PNT systems enable ultra-precise detection, reliable navigation that is immune to signal jamming, and other types of cyber threats,” announced IonQ lat week, adding:
“Vector Atomic’s technology is already trusted by some of the world’s most demanding national security programs, including a recent contract for the US Department of Defense’s classified X-37B orbital test vehicle project, and applications for military submarine sensing capabilities.”
On the same day that it announced that deal, IonQ said that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the US Department of Energy to advance the development and deployment of quantum technologies in space.
“Under the agreement, IonQ will provide the design and execution of an orbital demonstration of quantum-secure communications using its satellite platform,” added the firm.
“The collaboration will also explore additional quantum applications in space, including alternate position, navigation, and timing, time synchronization, quantum networking, and sensing.”
The latest agreements follow a series of other acquisitions, including the quantum networking firms Qubitekk and ID Quantique, the diamond-based interconnect startup LightSynq, and most recently the UK-based quantum computing developer Oxford Ionics.
IonQ is also working closely with both NKT Photonics and imec on the development of new fiber laser and integrated photonics technologies for future quantum systems.
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