QuiX Quantum will lead a national mission to deliver a 100+ qubit photonic quantum computer by December 2028, funded through Phase II of the PhotonDelta National Growth Fund. The project unites QuiX Quantum with nine Dutch partners to develop and integrate twelve specific deliverables, spanning quantum photonic components from chips to manufacturing processes.

“For QuiX Quantum, the award marks an important step in turning its technology roadmap into industrial reality,” the company stated, as the mission aims to solve key challenges in scaling fault-tolerant quantum computing. This initiative intends to strengthen the Netherlands’ and Europe’s quantum supply chain by keeping expertise and value within the region.

PhotonDelta Funding Fuels 100+ Qubit Photonic Computer Mission

The mission to deliver a 100+ qubit universal quantum computer will focus on reducing optical loss in silicon nitride waveguides and developing high-speed modulators, with imec and PHIX targeting a coupling loss of just 0.1 dB per facet. This ambitious target, detailed within the PhotonDelta National Growth Fund-backed initiative, addresses a critical bottleneck in scaling photonic quantum systems.

Better photons will be created with a quasi-deterministic single-photon source at the University of Twente. Photon distillation with resource-state generation will be explored at Eindhoven University of Technology, aiming to operate below the error threshold and generate more reliable qubits. These advancements in photon generation are coupled with efforts to develop on-chip photon-number-resolving detectors and integrated SPAD arrays at Eindhoven University of Technology, to improve the accuracy of qubit measurements. Faster control electronics represent another key area of development, with Bruco-IC designing flip-chip ASICs targeting latencies below 10 nanoseconds.

This represents an improvement over the 150-nanosecond latency of existing feed-forward control systems, enabling quicker manipulation of qubits and faster execution of quantum algorithms. Complementing these hardware advancements, researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology are working on inverse design and post-fabrication tuning methods to improve chip tolerances and yield, addressing the challenges of manufacturing complex photonic circuits at scale.

Stefan Hengesbach, CEO of QuiX Quantum, said, “This grant is a strong vote of confidence in the Dutch photonics ecosystem and in our roadmap.” The mission, scheduled to run through December 2028, is structured around the development and integration of twelve specific deliverables, culminating in a manufacturing strategy for 100+ qubit systems. This timeline aligns with QuiX Quantum’s broader roadmap, which envisions demonstrating logical-qubit capabilities between 2028 and 2030, the company says. The consortium’s approach emphasizes vertical integration, connecting scientific expertise with photonic chip manufacturing, packaging and system integration within a single framework.

By supporting collaboration between industrial and academic partners, the mission seeks to build a resilient and internationally competitive quantum photonics ecosystem. The project’s long-term goal extends beyond technological advancement, aiming to translate European scientific leadership into lasting technological sovereignty and global competitiveness in the emerging field of quantum computing. “Delivery of a 100+ Qubit Universal Quantum Computer” is a strategic imperative for the Netherlands and Europe, according to the mission’s stated objectives.