Q-CTRL, Diraq partner to expand quantum computing adoption

Leading Australian quantum computing software and hardware companies have partnered to on three multi-million-dollar projects to expand the commercial adoption of quantum computing.

According to quantum error correction software company Q-CTRL and silicon based quantum hardware innovator Diraq, their partnership is the first stage of delivering new, high-impact quantum computing capabilities to the global market, from Australia.

Q-CTRL and Diraq will deliver three projects together – two from the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer’s Quantum Computing Commercialisation Fund (QCCF) and one from the US Army Research Office (US ARO).

The NSW funded projects shared between Diraq and Q-CTRL will help deliver Australia’s first cloud-accessible silicon quantum processor, and help orient this technology towards providing cutting-edge capabilities to Australia’s globally leading financial services sector.

Meanwhile the US funded projects will focus on developing novel techniques to operate and optimise next-generation Silicon quantum processors.

The ARO R&D programme aligns with quantum technology initiatives supported under the trilateral AUKUS agreement’s Pillar II which supports capabilities and interoperability on advanced technologies such as quantum computing.

Q-CTRL CEO and Founder Michael Biercuk said: “It’s exciting to see Australia’s two leading quantum computing companies collaborating to deliver true sovereign capability in one of the most profound technical fields of the century.

“We’re thrilled to be helping accelerate the work of our friends at Diraq, and ensuring these powerful new systems deliver value broadly across the Australian and global economies.”

Diraq will develop and provide access to its silicon quantum computing hardware and Q-CTRL will build and integrate its quantum infrastructure software solutions.

The two companies are examples of innovative Australian businesses that have been spawned by decades of research in Australia.

Diraq’s hardware is constructed using a novel technology known as spins in silicon, offering scalability in the number of qubits to the many millions, and ultimately billions per chip, according to the companies’ statement.

Q-CTRL is focused on developing quantum infrastructure software to improve the utility and performance of quantum hardware.

Q-CTRL’s Biercuk and Andrew Dzurak, founder and CEO of Diraq, have been colleagues for over 20 years – first in academia and later in industry.

Dzurak said: “The partnership between Diraq and Q-CTRL exemplifies our shared commitment to driving the next era of innovation in the quantum computing industry, both locally in Australia and globally.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Q-CTRL, leveraging our specialised areas of expertise to jointly drive successful outcomes across these transformative projects.”

Picture: Diraq