ORCA Photonics announced its participation in the launch of NVIDIA NVQLink, a new open reference architecture enabling tight integration between quantum and classical computing resources. NVQLink defines a modular, open architecture supporting multiple quantum modalities and real-time interaction between classical GPU resources and quantum processors through a “real-time hub.” By providing fast, scalable communication, the hub supports tightly coupled hybrid applications like machine learning and simulation, as well as essential control tasks for future fault-tolerant quantum computers. This advancement builds on ORCA’s success integrating NVIDIA accelerated computing with its PT-Series photonic systems, demonstrating how scalable quantum, AI systems can be deployed today.
Bridging Quantum and Classical Computing with NVQLink Architecture
ORCA Computing recently announced its participation in the launch of NVIDIA NVQLink, a new open reference architecture designed to tightly integrate quantum and classical computing resources. This architecture supports multiple quantum modalities and enables real-time interaction between classical GPU resources and quantum processors through a central “real-time hub.” By facilitating fast, scalable communication, NVQLink aims to support tightly coupled hybrid applications like machine learning, simulation, and optimization, representing a significant step toward practical quantum-enhanced computing.
Building on its existing integration of NVIDIA accelerated computing and the CUDA-Q platform with its PT-Series photonic systems, ORCA is bringing NVQLink to its proven hybrid architecture. The company announced this will demonstrate how real-world, scalable quantum, AI systems can be deployed today, combining the practicality of photonics with the power of GPU acceleration. This approach provides a blueprint for organizations seeking to run useful quantum-enhanced workloads within their existing data center environments, leveraging familiar infrastructure.
According to Tim Costa, General Manager for Quantum at NVIDIA, the future of computing relies on seamlessly bridging quantum processors with classical supercomputing infrastructure. ORCA’s PT-Series systems, already deployed at sites including the Poznań Supercomputing and Networking Center (PCSS) and the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre, demonstrate this coupling in practice. These systems execute hybrid machine learning and generative AI workloads today, showcasing the potential of NVQLink to unlock hybrid quantum-AI applications at scale.
“QPU builders like ORCA Computing are working with NVIDIA to make quantum–AI integration practical and accessible through CUDA-Q’s open platform, helping to speed breakthroughs for the quantum computing ecosystem.”
Tim Costa, NVIDIA
“The future of computing depends on seamlessly bridging quantum processors with classical supercomputing infrastructure to unlock hybrid quantum-AI applications at scale”
Tim Costa, NVIDIA
ORCA Photonics: Scaling Quantum-AI Integration for Real-World Applications
ORCA Computing’s approach centers on photonic quantum processors, demonstrating practical integration within existing data center environments. According to the company, its PT-Series systems are already deployed at sites including the Poznań Supercomputing and Networking Center (PCSS) and the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre, showcasing the ability to execute hybrid machine learning and generative AI workloads today. This deployment strategy highlights a commitment to immediate value, rather than solely focusing on future fault-tolerant systems, and positions ORCA as a leader in near-term quantum-classical integration.
“ORCA’s PT-Series systems demonstrate that hybrid quantum–classical computing is already delivering real value”
PhD Richard Murray, ORCA Computing
“Our photonic approach integrates directly with NVIDIA accelerated computing and the CUDA-Q software platform to unlock quantum-enhanced performance in AI and simulation today, while providing a scalable architecture for future error-corrected systems. NVQLink is the connective framework that allows both to evolve together.”
PhD Richard Murray, ORCA Computing
Building on this, ORCA’s PT-Series systems leverage NVIDIA accelerated computing to enhance performance in AI and simulation. The company announced that this integration allows for quantum-enhanced performance without requiring a complete overhaul of existing infrastructure. This is particularly significant as it addresses a key barrier to quantum adoption , the complexity and cost associated with building entirely new computing ecosystems. The architecture is designed for scalability, allowing organizations to gradually incorporate quantum capabilities as their needs evolve.
Meanwhile, the implications of this scalable integration extend beyond immediate performance gains. Tim Costa, General Manager for Quantum at NVIDIA, emphasized the importance of seamlessly bridging quantum processors with classical supercomputing infrastructure to unlock hybrid quantum-AI applications at scale. This suggests a future where quantum computers aren’t standalone devices, but rather co-processors working in concert with classical systems to tackle complex problems currently intractable for either technology alone, accelerating innovation across multiple industries.
This development from ORCA Computing and the launch of NVIDIA NVQLink signifies a crucial step toward practical quantum-enhanced applications. By tightly integrating photonic quantum processors with existing GPU infrastructure, organizations can now explore real-world workloads within familiar data center environments.
The implications extend beyond quantum computing to industries reliant on complex optimization, machine learning, and simulation. ORCA’s approach, combined with NVIDIA’s architecture, could enable a new era of hybrid algorithms delivering tangible value today, and paving the way for fault-tolerant systems in the future.
