IonQ will deploy its Superion 256 quantum computer and a silicon-vacancy quantum memory module in South Korea through a new partnership with SDT, marking the first installation of these specific technologies in the Asia-Pacific region. The collaboration expands beyond software to include physical hardware production and assembly, with SDT planning a dedicated quantum manufacturing facility in Gumi, South Korea. “Demand for our new Superion 256 system is growing globally,” said Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ. This partnership aims to establish both high-performance computing and future quantum data centers within the region.

IonQ and SDT Expand Partnership with Superion 256 Deployment

This deployment, facilitated through a strategic partnership with Korean firm SDT, Inc., moves beyond simple cloud access to establish a physical hardware and manufacturing foothold within the country. SDT intends to integrate the Superion 256 into a customer’s existing infrastructure, with plans to co-develop a hybrid quantum-classical data center, signaling a move toward practical quantum applications. This facility represents a substantial investment in local production capabilities, shifting the partnership from a reseller agreement to a collaborative manufacturing venture.

According to IonQ, this move underscores the growing global demand for the Superion 256, a 256-qubit trapped-ion platform utilizing the company’s Electronic Qubit Control, which replaces traditional laser-based control systems with on-chip electronics fabricated at SkyWater foundry. The SiV quantum memory module, a critical component for extending quantum coherence times, will also be manufactured at the Gumi facility, further solidifying the partnership’s scope.

The collaboration builds upon existing relationships IonQ has cultivated within South Korea, including partnerships with KISTI, SK Telecom, Hyundai Motor Company, Seoul National University, and Sungkyunkwan University. “This purchase equips SDT with the building blocks for both high-performance quantum computing and quantum data centers of the future.” This expansion into biomedical research highlights a specific application area where SDT and IonQ intend to collaborate, using the hybrid quantum-classical infrastructure to tackle complex medical challenges, the company says.

Jiwon Yune, CEO of SDT, emphasized the strategic importance of the Gumi facility, stating, “Our objective is to make our new Gumi facility a key operational hub for IonQ’s global supply chain and regional deployment by hosting manufacturing operations and assembling world-class quantum systems.” SDT’s plans include active participation in the assembly and operation of IonQ quantum systems, alongside pursuing opportunities to manufacture additional quantum components.

This comprehensive approach positions SDT as a central player in IonQ’s regional strategy, extending beyond simple assembly to encompass a broader range of manufacturing and integration services. The company, recognized as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer in 2026, aims to support quantum system assembly, integration, and hybrid quantum-classical data center development throughout the Asia-Pacific region. IonQ’s Superion platform, built on trapped-ion qubits, has demonstrated significant performance improvements in recent years, achieving 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, measured in October 2025 on R&D prototypes rather than a deployed system, according to the company.

This achievement, coupled with a reported 20x performance increase over previous quantum solutions, has attracted interest from customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA. The company’s quantum computing services have been available through all major cloud providers since 2021, but the partnership with SDT represents a shift toward localized hardware production and support.

IonQ, founded in 2015 and now publicly listed on the NYSE as IONQ, has raised a total of $4.03 billion to support its development and expansion efforts. The Gumi facility will not only be a manufacturing hub but also a platform for advancing IonQ’s SiV quantum memory technology. Quantum memory is important for overcoming the limitations of current quantum computers, which suffer from short coherence times, the duration for which qubits can maintain quantum information.

SiV defects in diamond offer a promising pathway to extend these coherence times, enabling more complex and prolonged quantum computations. By integrating SiV memory packaging and manufacturing into the Gumi facility, IonQ and SDT aim to accelerate the development and deployment of more robust and scalable quantum systems.

Demand for our new Superion 256 system is growing globally, and this agreement in Asia Pacific is yet another example of our clients combining IonQ’s leading quantum computers with our quantum networking and quantum memory solutions.
Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ

South Korea Hosts IonQ’s SiV Memory Manufacturing & System Integration

This expansion signifies a strategic move toward complete quantum systems, not just processing power, and positions South Korea as a key hub for advanced quantum infrastructure. This facility represents a shift from cloud-based access to physical hardware production within the region, enabling SDT to actively participate in the quantum supply chain and potentially reduce reliance on external manufacturing.

This commitment is further underscored by a parallel initiative to develop hybrid quantum-classical infrastructure for medical and biomedical research, demonstrating a focus on practical applications of the technology. This network demonstrates a deliberate strategy to foster a robust quantum ecosystem within the country, utilizing both public and private sector expertise.

The Superion 256 system is designed to integrate seamlessly with classical computing infrastructure, addressing the immediate need for hybrid solutions that can tackle complex problems beyond the reach of either system alone. IonQ’s decision to manufacture and package this memory module within the Gumi facility underscores the importance of controlling the entire production process to ensure optimal performance and scalability.

This vertical integration, from qubit fabrication to system assembly, is a relatively uncommon approach in the rapidly evolving quantum industry, suggesting a long-term commitment to regional manufacturing capabilities. The partnership extends beyond hardware to encompass quantum networking, hinting at the development of secure communication channels and distributed quantum computing architectures.

This performance boost, coupled with the addition of SiV memory, positions the combined system as a powerful tool for tackling computationally intensive tasks in fields like drug discovery, materials science, and financial modeling. The partnership with SDT, therefore, represents a strategic investment in a future where quantum computing is integrated into a broader ecosystem of technology and innovation. The company’s recent fabrication of a fully integrated 256-qubit quantum processing unit on the Superion 256 platform, reported on September 8, 2026, further solidifies its position as a leader in quantum hardware development.