DARPA to Boost PsiQuantum’s Fault-Tolerant Photonic Approach to Quantum Computing

PsiQuantum, a California-based company, has been advanced to the second phase of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Utility-Scale Quantum Computing Program (US2QC). The program aims to explore underutilized approaches to quantum computing, such as PsiQuantum’s photonic method, to achieve faster utility-scale operation. The company’s technology was evaluated by a team of experts from various institutions, including DARPA, NASA Ames Research Center, and John’s Hopkins University. PsiQuantum’s next phase will focus on designing a fault-tolerant prototype, aiming to construct and operate a Utility-Scale Quantum Computer.

PsiQuantum Advances to Second Phase of DARPA’s Quantum Computing Program

PsiQuantum, a private company based in Palo Alto, California, has been awarded a contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to continue its work on the Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing (US2QC) program. The US2QC program aims to determine if less-explored approaches to quantum computing, such as PsiQuantum’s photonic Qubit approach, can achieve utility-scale operation faster than conventional predictions.

The US2QC program is a multi-phase, multi-year effort initiated by DARPA. In the first phase, which began in January 2023, PsiQuantum collaborated with a team of experts from the government to assess the status and future viability of the company’s technology. The team, which included experts from institutions such as the 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, concluded that PsiQuantum’s photonic approach is worthy of progressing to the next phase of the US2QC program.

Photonic Approach to Quantum Computing and Fault-Tolerant Computing

Most commercial quantum computing efforts have focused on matter-based approaches. However, as the industry has matured, it has become clear that utility-scale, commercially useful quantum computing requires large-scale systems and error correction. PsiQuantum’s photonic approach, which is particularly suited to address these challenges, has been largely underexplored in the United States compared to other methods.

As PsiQuantum moves into the next phase of the US2QC program, the focus will shift to the company’s design for a fault-tolerant prototype. The goal is to demonstrate that a Utility-Scale Quantum Computer can be built and operated as intended. PsiQuantum will also continue to work towards the next intermediate milestones to deliver a fully fault-tolerant quantum computer as quickly as possible. DARPA will continue to closely monitor and evaluate PsiQuantum’s progress towards this goal.

Jeremy O’Brien, CEO and Co-Founder of PsiQuantum, expressed his company’s commitment to building the world’s first useful, large-scale quantum computer. He welcomed the scrutiny of their technology and the opportunity to continue their work with DARPA and other U.S. Government partners. Dr. Joe Altepeter, US2QC program manager in DARPA’s Microsystems Technology Office, expressed excitement about the potential paths to truly utility-scale systems and pledged to continue exploring the potential of these technologies.

Founded in 2015, PsiQuantum’s sole mission is to build and deploy the world’s first useful, large-scale quantum computer. The company’s photonic approach allows for rapid scaling via direct leverage of high-volume semiconductor manufacturing and cryogenic infrastructure. PsiQuantum is partnered with the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University and Sci-Tech Daresbury in the United Kingdom.

Summary

PsiQuantum, a private company, has been advanced to the second phase of a multi-year quantum computing program by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), aiming to develop a utility-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer faster than conventional predictions. The company’s unique photonic approach, which has been largely underexplored, is believed to overcome key technical hurdles related to scale and error correction, essential for commercially useful quantum computing.

• PsiQuantum, a private company based in Palo Alto, California, has been advanced to the second phase of the Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing (US2QC) program by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
• The US2QC program aims to explore and evaluate new approaches to quantum computing, with a focus on achieving utility-scale operation faster than current predictions.
• PsiQuantum’s approach, which uses photons, was deemed worthy of further exploration after a year-long evaluation by a team of experts from various institutions, including DARPA, Air Force Research Laboratory, John’s Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the NASA Ames Research Center.
• The next phase of the project will focus on PsiQuantum’s design for a fault-tolerant prototype, aiming to demonstrate that a Utility-Scale Quantum Computer can be built and operated as intended.
• Jeremy O’Brien, CEO and Co-Founder of PsiQuantum, and Dr. Joe Altepeter, US2QC program manager in DARPA’s Microsystems Technology Office, both expressed excitement and optimism about the progress and future of the project.
• PsiQuantum was founded in 2015 with the sole mission of building and deploying the world’s first useful, large-scale quantum computer. The company is partnered with the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University and Sci-Tech Daresbury in the United Kingdom.