QphoX, Rigetti and the NQCC Announce Collaboration on Multi-Channel Optical Readout of Quantum Processors
QphoX, Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI), and the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) have secured a multinational grant to develop optical readout technology for superconducting quantum computers. The collaboration follows a successful demonstration where QphoX and Rigetti achieved optical readout of a single superconducting qubit using microwave-to-optical transduction.
The 33-month project will focus on scaling QphoX's optical qubit readout system to interface with Rigetti's 9-qubit Novera QPU, enabling optical readout of all qubits. The system will be installed at the NQCC facility. This innovative approach could replace conventional microwave amplifiers and coaxial wiring, offering significant scaling advantages due to lower heat dissipation and minimal passive heat loads from optical fiber.
QphoX, Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI) e il National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) hanno ottenuto un finanziamento multinazionale per sviluppare una tecnologia di lettura ottica per computer quantistici superconduttori. La collaborazione segue una dimostrazione di successo in cui QphoX e Rigetti hanno realizzato la lettura ottica di un singolo qubit superconduttore tramite trasduzione da microonde a ottico.
Il progetto, della durata di 33 mesi, si concentrerà sull'espansione del sistema di lettura ottica dei qubit di QphoX per interfacciarsi con la QPU Novera a 9 qubit di Rigetti, permettendo la lettura ottica di tutti i qubit. Il sistema sarà installato presso la struttura del NQCC. Questo approccio innovativo potrebbe sostituire gli amplificatori a microonde convenzionali e i cablaggi coassiali, offrendo vantaggi significativi in termini di scalabilità grazie a una minore dissipazione di calore e carichi termici passivi ridotti dovuti alla fibra ottica.
QphoX, Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI) y el National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) han conseguido una subvención multinacional para desarrollar tecnología de lectura óptica para computadoras cuánticas superconductoras. La colaboración sigue a una demostración exitosa donde QphoX y Rigetti lograron la lectura óptica de un solo qubit superconductor utilizando transducción de microondas a óptico.
El proyecto, con una duración de 33 meses, se centrará en escalar el sistema de lectura óptica de qubits de QphoX para conectarse con la QPU Novera de 9 qubits de Rigetti, permitiendo la lectura óptica de todos los qubits. El sistema se instalará en las instalaciones del NQCC. Este enfoque innovador podría reemplazar los amplificadores de microondas convencionales y el cableado coaxial, ofreciendo ventajas significativas de escalabilidad debido a una menor disipación de calor y cargas térmicas pasivas mínimas provenientes de la fibra óptica.
QphoX, Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI), 그리고 국가 양자 컴퓨팅 센터 (NQCC)는 초전도 양자 컴퓨터용 광학 판독 기술 개발을 위한 다국적 보조금을 확보했습니다. 이 협력은 QphoX와 Rigetti가 마이크로파-광 변환을 이용해 단일 초전도 큐비트의 광학 판독에 성공한 데 이어 진행됩니다.
33개월간 진행되는 이 프로젝트는 QphoX의 광학 큐비트 판독 시스템을 Rigetti의 9큐비트 Novera QPU와 연결하여 모든 큐비트의 광학 판독을 가능하게 하는 데 초점을 맞출 예정입니다. 이 시스템은 NQCC 시설에 설치될 예정입니다. 이 혁신적인 접근법은 기존의 마이크로파 증폭기와 동축 케이블을 대체할 수 있으며, 광섬유로 인한 낮은 열 방출과 최소한의 수동 열 부하 덕분에 확장성 측면에서 큰 이점을 제공합니다.
QphoX, Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ : RGTI) et le National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) ont obtenu une subvention multinationale pour développer une technologie de lecture optique destinée aux ordinateurs quantiques supraconducteurs. Cette collaboration fait suite à une démonstration réussie où QphoX et Rigetti ont réalisé la lecture optique d'un seul qubit supraconducteur grâce à la transduction micro-ondes-optique.
Le projet, d'une durée de 33 mois, se concentrera sur la montée en échelle du système de lecture optique de qubits de QphoX afin d'interfacer avec le processeur quantique Novera à 9 qubits de Rigetti, permettant ainsi la lecture optique de tous les qubits. Le système sera installé dans les locaux du NQCC. Cette approche innovante pourrait remplacer les amplificateurs micro-ondes conventionnels et le câblage coaxial, offrant des avantages significatifs en termes de montée en échelle grâce à une dissipation thermique réduite et à des charges thermiques passives minimales provenant de la fibre optique.
QphoX, Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI) und das National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) haben einen multinationalen Zuschuss erhalten, um optische Auslesetechnologie für supraleitende Quantencomputer zu entwickeln. Die Zusammenarbeit folgt auf eine erfolgreiche Demonstration, bei der QphoX und Rigetti die optische Auslesung eines einzelnen supraleitenden Qubits mittels Mikrowellen-zu-Optik-Transduktion erreicht haben.
Das 33-monatige Projekt wird sich darauf konzentrieren, das optische Qubit-Auslesesystem von QphoX zu skalieren, um eine Schnittstelle mit Rigettis 9-Qubit Novera QPU zu ermöglichen und die optische Auslesung aller Qubits zu realisieren. Das System wird in der Einrichtung des NQCC installiert. Dieser innovative Ansatz könnte herkömmliche Mikrowellenverstärker und Koaxialkabel ersetzen und bietet aufgrund geringerer Wärmeabgabe und minimaler passiver Wärmebelastungen durch Glasfaserkabel erhebliche Skalierungsvorteile.
- Successful demonstration of optical readout for a single superconducting qubit
- Technology could significantly reduce heat load on cryogenic systems, addressing a major scaling bottleneck
- Secured multinational grant funding for 33-month development program
- Partnership combines expertise from three leading quantum computing organizations
- Technology is still in early development phase and not yet proven at scale
- Implementation timeline extends nearly three years before potential results
Insights
Optical readout collaboration addresses critical quantum scaling bottleneck, reducing heat loads that limit processor size while securing government funding for development.
This collaboration tackles a fundamental scaling challenge in quantum computing. Current quantum processors rely on microwave signals and coaxial cables for readout, which introduce substantial heat loads at cryogenic temperatures—a major bottleneck as systems scale. The optical readout approach being developed converts microwave signals to optical ones transmitted through fiber, which has negligible heat dissipation compared to conventional wiring.
What's technically significant is that QphoX and Rigetti have already demonstrated this approach with a single qubit, validating the concept. Scaling this to all qubits in a 9-qubit processor represents a critical stepping stone toward larger systems. The current limitation in quantum computing isn't just building more qubits—it's managing the heat generated by the control and readout lines for those qubits.
Each conventional microwave readout line introduces more heat that must be extracted by the dilution refrigerator, with cooling power extremely limited at base temperatures. By converting to optical signals, this approach could eventually enable processors with substantially more qubits without proportionally increasing cooling requirements.
The 33-month timeline indicates this is still research rather than an immediately deployable solution, but it directly addresses one of the field's primary engineering obstacles to achieving practical quantum advantage.
For Rigetti Computing, this partnership represents a strategic approach to solving a critical scaling challenge through external collaboration rather than internal development alone. As a smaller public quantum company competing with tech giants, Rigetti benefits from combining their hardware expertise with QphoX's specialized transduction technology.
The multinational grant through Dutch and UK innovation agencies provides financial support while allowing Rigetti to advance their technology roadmap without bearing the full R&D costs internally. This aligns with the company's need to demonstrate progress on overcoming scaling limitations in superconducting quantum processors.
Rigetti's CEO references their "open and modular system architecture" as an enabler for this collaboration—highlighting their strategy of becoming a platform that can integrate innovations from the quantum ecosystem rather than developing every component internally. This approach allows Rigetti to leverage specialized expertise from partners like QphoX.
The system's installation at the UK's National Quantum Computing Centre provides additional validation and infrastructure access. For Rigetti, this represents a medium-term technical roadmap advancement rather than something affecting immediate quarterly results.
Notably, this approach addresses one of the core scaling challenges that all superconducting quantum companies face. Success could provide Rigetti with a competitive technological advantage in the race toward fault-tolerant quantum computing, where scaling beyond current qubit counts represents a significant hurdle.
DELFT, Netherlands, BERKELEY, Calif. and OXFORDSHIRE, United Kingdom, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QphoX B.V., a Dutch quantum technology startup developing leading frequency conversion systems for quantum applications, Rigetti Computing, Inc. (Nasdaq: RGTI), a pioneer in full-stack quantum-classical computing, and the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), the UK’s national lab for quantum computing, today announced that they have been awarded a multinational grant to perform readout of superconducting qubits using light transmitted over optical fiber.
In a recent demonstration, QphoX and Rigetti validated the potential of this technique by optically reading out the state of a single superconducting qubit1. Optical readout is made possible by microwave-to-optical transduction at the base temperature of the cryostat. This transduction process converts the information contained in the microwave readout pulse into an optical signal carried over optical fiber. This approach could eventually replace conventional microwave amplifiers and coaxial wiring as part of the qubit signal processing chain and thereby offer considerable scaling advantages due to the comparatively low dissipation of the transducer and the negligible passive heat loads from telecommunications optical fiber.
QphoX, Rigetti and the NQCC are partnering to take the next step in this research to realize optical readout of a fully-fledged superconducting quantum computer. In this multinational collaboration, QphoX will scale its optical qubit readout system that will interface with Rigetti’s 9-qubit Novera QPU, enabling optical readout of all qubits in the processor. The combined system will be installed and operated at the NQCC.
“Using light to readout the state of a superconducting qubit will remove a significant amount of heat load on cryogenic systems and therefore allow to overcome one of the critical bottlenecks in building a universal quantum computer. We are excited to take our developments to the next level and work with our partners in demonstrating this critical technology at scale,” says Simon Groeblacher, CEO of QphoX.
"This innovative solution to a well-known scaling challenge is made possible by an open and modular system architecture," says Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, Rigetti CEO. "Integrating our partners’ technology with our QPU enables us to benefit from even more expertise to accelerate our work towards fault tolerance."
“Demonstrating optical qubit readout at the system level represents an important step in our mission to advance scalable quantum computing, and we are delighted to host this collaborative work at the NQCC with such innovative project partners,” commented Dr. Michael Cuthbert, Director of NQCC.
The 33-month program is funded by the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO) and Innovate UK via the Eureka network, an intergovernmental organization for research and development funding and coordination.
About QphoX
QphoX is the leading developer of quantum transduction systems that enable quantum computers to network over optical frequencies. Leveraging decades of progress in photonic, MEMS and superconducting device nanofabrication, their single-photon interfaces bridge the gap between microwave, optical and telecom frequencies to provide essential quantum links between computation, state storage and networking. QphoX is based in Delft, the Netherlands. See qphox.eu for more information.
About Rigetti
Rigetti is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing. The Company has operated quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. In 2021, Rigetti began selling on-premises quantum computing systems with qubit counts between 24 and 84 qubits, supporting national laboratories and quantum computing centers. Rigetti’s 9-qubit Novera™ QPU was introduced in 2023 supporting a broader R&D community with a high-performance, on-premises QPU designed to plug into a customer’s existing cryogenic and control systems. The Company’s proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure provides high-performance integration with public and private clouds for practical quantum computing. Rigetti has developed the industry’s first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. The Company designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, the industry’s first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility. Learn more at rigetti.com.
About the NQCC
The NQCC is the UK’s national lab for quantum computing, dedicated to accelerating the development of quantum computing by addressing the challenges of scaling up the technology. The centre is working with businesses, government, and the research community to deliver quantum computing capabilities for the UK and support the growth of the emerging industry. The NQCC’s programme is being delivered jointly by UKRI’s research councils, EPSRC and STFC. It is a part of the National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP) to develop and deliver quantum technologies across the areas of sensing, timing, imaging, communications and computing. The centre is headquartered in a purpose-built facility on STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory site at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire. Visit nqcc.ac.uk for more information.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this communication may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements with respect to the Company’s future success and performance, including expectations with respect to timing of the development and commercialization of superconducting quantum computing; expectations regarding the advantages and impact of the multinational-funded projects on the Company’s operations, technology roadmap, milestones, and the Company’s position in the industry; statements to optical readouts eventually replacing conventional components as part of the qubit signal processing chain and thereby offering scaling advantages; the extent that the optical qubit readout systems may interface with Rigetti’s Novera QPU and enable optical readout of all qubits; the extent that using light will remove a significant amount of heat load on cryogenic systems; the extent that using light will overcome critical bottlenecks in building a universal quantum computer; and the extent to which Rigetti’s open and modular system architecture will allow for partners to integrate their technology with Rigetti’s QPUs. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company and its management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: the Company’s ability to achieve milestones, technological advancements, including with respect to its technology roadmap; the ability of the Company to obtain government contracts successfully and in a timely manner and the availability of government funding; the potential of quantum computing; the success of the Company’s partnerships and collaborations, including the strategic collaboration with Quanta; the Company’s ability to accelerate its development of multiple generations of quantum processors; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company or others; the ability to maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and attract and retain management and key employees; costs related to operating as a public company; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the possibility that the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, or competitive factors; the Company’s estimates of expenses and profitability; the evolution of the markets in which the Company competes; the ability of the Company to implement its strategic initiatives and expansion plans; the expected use of proceeds from the Company’s past and future financings or other capital; the sufficiency of the Company’s cash resources; unfavorable conditions in the Company’s industry, the global economy or global supply chain, including rising inflation and interest rates, deteriorating international trade relations, political turmoil, natural catastrophes, warfare and terrorist attacks; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements other than as required by applicable law. The Company does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.
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