DARPA advances PsiQuantum to Second Phase of Utility-Scale Quantum Computing Program

US2QC program seeks to evaluate paths to fault-tolerant quantum computing on much faster time  horizons than conventional predictions 

PALO ALTO, Calif. – January 9th, 2024 – PsiQuantum today announced that it was awarded a contract  with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to continue work on the Underexplored  Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing (US2QC) program, which seeks to determine whether an  underexplored approach to quantum computing – like PsiQuantum’s photonic approach – is capable of  achieving utility-scale operation much faster than conventional predictions. 

This partnership was envisioned by DARPA to include an escalating engagement over a multi-phase,  multi-year effort. During the initial phase, which was announced in January 2023, PsiQuantum worked  closely with a dedicated team of experts from the government looking to verify and evaluate the status  of the company’s technology, as well as the future viability of the photonic approach as a means of  building the world’s first utility-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer. The year-long government  diligence effort determined that PsiQuantum’s photonic approach is worthy of elevating to the next  phase of the US2QC program. The DARPA-led team included multiple experts from each of the following  institutions: Air Force Research Laboratory; DARPA; John’s Hopkins University Applied Physics  Laboratory; Los Alamos National Laboratory; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; and the NASA Ames  Research Center. 

To date, most commercial quantum computing efforts have been focused on matter-based approaches.  As the quantum computing industry has matured, it has become widely acknowledged that “utility scale” commercially useful quantum computing requires large-scale systems and error correction. While  the photonic approach is uniquely suited to address a number of key technical hurdles specific to scale  and error correction, the approach has gone largely underexplored in the United States compared to  other approaches. 

As the partnership between PsiQuantum and DARPA moves to the next phase, the focus of the  collaboration will shift to PsiQuantum’s design for a fault-tolerant prototype. This work will show that  the Utility-Scale Quantum Computer can be constructed as designed and operated as intended. In  addition, PsiQuantum will continue to pursue the next intermediate milestones to deliver a fully fault tolerant quantum computer on the fastest path possible. DARPA in turn will continue to closely monitor  and evaluate PsiQuantum’s approach and progress towards this goal. 

Jeremy O’Brien, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of PsiQuantum, remarked: “PsiQuantum’s only mission is to build and deploy the world’s first useful, large-scale quantum computer.  We have an extremely ambitious and somewhat contrarian plan, and as such we welcome expert third party scrutiny of our technology. We are glad to see a focused effort specifically targeted on large-scale,  fault-tolerant quantum computing. PsiQuantum was proud to be initially named one of just three  industry partners for the US2QC program and today’s announcement is no different – the company  welcomes the opportunity to continue this important work with DARPA and other partners across the  U.S. Government.”  

Joe Altepeter, Program Manager for US2QC at DARPA commented:

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“[PsiQuantum] are working extraordinarily hard, presenting solid technology descriptions and detailed  research plans. We will continue exploring with them whether these technologies can make the  significant leap needed to create quantum computers with true scientific and industrial utility.” 

About DARPA 

Established in 1958, DARPA’s mission has been to make pivotal investments in breakthrough  technologies of relevance to national security. Working with innovators inside and outside of  government, DARPA has repeatedly delivered on that mission, transforming revolutionary concepts into  practical capabilities. The agency oversees about 250 research and development programs. 

About PsiQuantum 

PsiQuantum is a private company, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California. The  company’s only mission is to build and deploy the world’s first useful, large-scale quantum computer.  Many teams around the world today have demonstrated prototype quantum computing systems, but it  is widely accepted that much larger systems are necessary in order to unlock transformational  applications across drug discovery, climate technologies, finance, transportation, security & defense and  beyond. PsiQuantum’s photonic approach enables rapid scaling via direct leverage of high-volume  semiconductor manufacturing and utilization of existing cryogenic infrastructure. The company is  partnered with the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University and Sci-Tech Daresbury  in the United Kingdom. Learn more at www.psiquantum.com 

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