The scale of quantum computing’s ambitions is forcing a reckoning with earthly supply chains. Nate Gemelke points to the repeated use of the word “laser” in his company’s process as indicative of a critical vulnerability, as the industry shifts from proving viability to building machines at scale. “We used to think that we needed to produce really very, very bright lasers,” Gemelke said.

“Now we’re realizing maybe we also need to be making reliable lasers.” A Quantum World Congress 2026 panel was moderated by Constanza M. Vidal Bustamante of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), whose recent report maps vulnerabilities across quantum’s enabling technologies. She was joined by Nate Gemelke, co-founder of; Joseph Broz of; Sara O’Rourke of JPMorganChase; and Melissa LaReau of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

QuEra Computing Highlights Laser and Crystal Dependencies in Quantum Builds

Optical crystal production rates present a fundamental limitation to scaling quantum computing hardware, according to QuEra Computing’s Nate Gemelke. The growth of these crystals, essential components in the lasers used to manipulate qubits, is governed by the laws of physics, meaning increased manufacturing capacity is not simply a matter of investment. Gemelke explained, “The world’s production rate of certain optical crystals is limited by the physics of crystal growth,” highlighting a constraint beyond typical supply chain bottlenecks.

This physical limit impacts the rate at which companies like QuEra can expand their quantum computer builds, regardless of financial resources. A significant portion of optical fiber manufacturing, critical for many quantum computer lasers, is currently concentrated in China. This geographic dependency introduces a vulnerability into the supply chain for these complex machines.

QuEra’s process, which relies on trapping individual atoms with optical tweezers controlled by lasers, repeatedly uses this technology; Gemelke noted the frequency with which the word “laser” appears when describing their system emphasises this reliance. Beyond the lasers themselves, tracing the origins of materials like fiber and iridium presents a challenge, requiring years of dedicated effort to fully map these dependencies. Addressing these supply chain issues is a present necessity, not a future concern.

“Even if you say, ‘Well, utility is years away,’ you have to get started working on those problems now,” Gemelke stated. Building a robust supply chain requires more than just technical expertise; the most important thing is the people and the passion they bring to the work.

The world’s production rate of certain optical crystals is limited by the physics of crystal growth.
Nate Gemelke, co-founder of QuEra Computing

Quantum Error Correction Lowers Qubit Requirements, Shifts Supply Chain Focus

Progress in quantum error correction is reshaping expectations for quantum computer hardware, lowering the demand for sheer qubit numbers and, consequently, altering the focus of supply chain concerns. Recent advancements mean that achieving a useful quantum computer may require tens of thousands of physical qubits rather than the previously anticipated million, a shift with significant implications for component sourcing. This adjustment eases pressure on the extreme performance characteristics once demanded of lasers and other critical hardware.

Commerce Dept. & JPMorganChase Advocate Demand Signals for Quantum Components

Clear demand signals and proactive funding are essential to bolstering the quantum component supply chain, according to representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce and JPMorganChase, who recently participated in a panel discussion at Quantum World Congress 2026. Sara O’Rourke, formerly of the CHIPS Program Office and now with JPMorganChase’s Security and Resiliency Initiative, drew parallels to the semiconductor industry, noting that new fabrication facilities are emerging without a corresponding expansion in supplier capacity.

She advocated for funding not only promising quantum modalities but also the foundational, essential components serving multiple approaches, alongside a continuous push toward achieving utility at scale. The panel highlighted a need to move beyond simply identifying vulnerabilities in the quantum supply chain and toward actively shaping its development. Joseph Broz emphasized the importance of investing in the connections between component manufacturers, focusing on standardized testing procedures and interfaces. He suggested that strengthening these connective tissues may prove to be one of the most effective policy interventions available, rather than solely focusing on individual companies.