Welinq and Pasqal are bolstering their partnership with a €4 million investment secured through France 2030’s i-Demo Régionalisé call, aiming to accelerate the development of networked quantum computing. The collaboration will focus on interconnecting neutral-atom quantum processors to deliver scalable, network-ready quantum architectures for data center deployment. This new phase builds on existing work, addressing the limitations of standalone quantum processing units and paving the way for systems that can scale beyond current barriers—around 10,000 physical qubits for neutral-atom systems. By converting quantum information into photons and transmitting it between processors, the companies aim to create a larger, more powerful quantum computer, with Welinq providing a “quantum Ethernet port” for direct networking and entanglement sharing.
Pasqal & Welinq Accelerate Neutral-Atom Networked Quantum Computing
Current quantum computers, while demonstrating utility, face scalability limits around 10,000 physical qubits for neutral-atom systems; networking offers a pathway to bypass these barriers by effectively creating a larger quantum computer from multiple processors. This relies on converting qubit information into photons for optical transmission, enabling entanglement between distant QPUs. Pasqal and Welinq’s alignment stems from their shared foundation in neutral-atom technology, operating at compatible optical wavelengths. Pasqal, with existing QPUs deployed at locations including CEA, Jülich, and CINECA, is building architectures that natively support networking, including vacuum chamber designs for photonic interface integration and dynamic qubit positioning. Welinq contributes a high-rate entanglement generation platform, described as a “quantum Ethernet port,” alongside what the company claims is the most powerful neutral atom–based quantum memory to date, recently demonstrated through their first commercial sale. “Quantum networking represents a promising pathway toward large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computing,” said Loïc Henriet, CEO of Pasqal. “While we have operational QPUs deployed worldwide today, one next major scaling challenge will be connecting individual processors into networked quantum clusters. Our collaboration with Welinq through the InterQo program lays essential groundwork for this transition.”
The InterQo project, supported by the Île-de-France Region and BPI France through the France 2030 program, will address key challenges in designing network-compatible QPUs and efficient photon extraction systems. “Welinq is delighted to continue its successful collaboration with Pasqal,” added Tom Darras, CEO of Welinq. “By bringing neutral-atom computing and quantum networking together, we are moving another step closer to the deployment and commercialization of interconnected quantum computers within data center environments, worldwide.” This partnership also aligns with broader European initiatives like Q-PLANET, aiming to scale the quantum technology supply chain.
Waveguide-QED Enables High-Rate Quantum Entanglement & Memory
Current quantum computing deployments largely rely on standalone quantum processing units, but practical scaling faces inherent limitations, prompting a shift toward networked architectures. The companies’ alignment is rooted in natively compatible neutral-atom technologies operating at the same optical wavelengths, streamlining integration from computing to networking. The project focuses on designing quantum processors with integrated networking capabilities and efficient photon extraction systems.
Quantum networking represents a promising pathway toward large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computing.
Loïc Henriet, CEO of Pasqal
InterQo Project: €4 Million for Integrated QPU Development
Pasqal, a leader in neutral-atom quantum computing with manufacturing facilities in France and Canada, is deepening its collaboration with quantum networking specialist Welinq through the newly launched InterQo project. This focus on physical integration is crucial, as is the company’s work on dynamical qubit positioning for flexible interconnection. The InterQo project will specifically address the challenges of designing QPUs with built-in networking capabilities and integrating efficient photon extraction systems to facilitate connections between them. This work builds upon a shared foundation in neutral-atom technology, allowing for operation at the same optical wavelengths.
