Nu Quantum Opens State-of-the-Art Trapped-Ion Qubit Networking Lab in Cambridge to Accelerate Distributed Quantum Computing

Nu Quantum, building the Entanglement Fabric to unlock commercial quantum computing scale-out, led by Dr. Carmen Palacios-Berraquero and the team, announced the opening of a new trapped-ion networking laboratory in Cambridge, UK. Based close to its existing R&D headquarters, this state-of-the-art facility will double the company’s research infrastructure to accelerate progress towards distributed quantum computing.

Nu Quantum enables quantum computing at scale by linking individual processors into a modular, distributed architecture adaptable across quantum modalities. Its new facility will validate Qubit-Photon Interface technology in a multi-node testbed, using photonic networks to create high-performance entanglement links between qubits across processors.

Nu Quantum’s QPI hardware aims to surpass current remote entanglement performance through advances in optical microcavity fabrication, new entanglement protocols, and a systems-level approach to distributed quantum computing. The interface is a core part of its Entanglement Fabric roadmap, building a photonic networking layer for modular quantum systems.

The company recently raised a $60M Series A funding, the largest for a UK quantum firm and globally in quantum networking, alongside expanding R&D facilities and hiring scientists and engineers, particularly in trapped-ion and AMO specializations.

The new lab builds on existing facilities, including cleanrooms, optics labs, and engineering resources, and is supported by collaborations with the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre, the University of Sussex, the University of Cambridge, Cisco, and Infineon Technologies.

Initially focused on networking trapped-ion qubits, Nu Quantum’s technology is designed to adapt across modalities, following its 2024 debut of a Qubit-Photon Interface for neutral atom qubits through an Innovate UK project with Infleqtion.

Dr. Carmen Palacios-Berraquero called the new facility a major milestone, marking the first dedicated industrial R&D lab in the UK and Europe focused on trapped-ion distributed quantum computing, and a key step toward enabling interconnected quantum computing architectures.

Dr Claire Le Gall said the new lab marks a major milestone as Nu Quantum prepares to test its core quantum networking technology in-house with trapped-ion qubits.

Professor Matthias Keller of the University of Sussex said the Cambridge Networking Testbed Lab underscores Nu Quantum’s leadership in quantum networking and looks forward to continuing the collaboration and its positive impact on the company.

Professor Mete Atatüre, Head of the Cavendish Laboratory and Nu Quantum advisor, said the new Testbed Lab will advance industrial-scale quantum networking, addressing a key bottleneck from communications to distributed computing and keeping the UK at the forefront of quantum technology.

At the heart of the new facility is a laser suite with wavelength stabilization and photonics delivery, developed with the NQCC through a National Security Strategic Investment Fund program to advance quantum technologies via government-industry collaboration.