Quantinuum, a prominent quantum computing company, has completed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s CHIPS Research and Development Office securing $100 million in federal funding under the CHIPS and Science Act. The funding follows a letter of intent announced in May and will support research and development aimed at expanding quantum semiconductor manufacturing capabilities in the United States. The initiative is focused on technologies required to bring large-scale, fault-tolerant trapped-ion quantum computers closer to deployment.

Quantinuum was the only company using a trapped-ion architecture to receive funding through the CHIPS R&D program. The company develops commercial quantum computers designed to deliver highly accurate results and has established advanced capabilities in quantum error correction. Its approach incorporates proven semiconductor manufacturing techniques to improve the reliability, consistency and scalability of both its existing systems and future generations of quantum hardware.

“This award is a validation of Quantinuum's leadership in trapped-ion quantum computing,” said Dr. Rajeeb Hazra, President and CEO of Quantinuum. He added that, in collaboration with U.S.-based partners, the company is developing the technological and supply-chain infrastructure necessary to scale fault-tolerant quantum systems while reinforcing the country's position in this strategically important technology sector.

A major component of the funding will be used to expand and diversify Quantinuum’s domestic supply chain. The company plans to work with GlobalFoundries and Monarch Quantum as additional U.S. manufacturing partners.

GlobalFoundries will join Quantinuum’s network of semiconductor foundries and will contribute to the production of next-generation ion traps and related electronics. The collaboration will place particular emphasis on 300mm wafer manufacturing technology. Monarch Quantum, meanwhile, will focus on developing and producing scalable and dependable lasers and optical components essential to Quantinuum’s trapped-ion quantum computing systems.

“As quantum computing moves closer to commercial scale, manufacturing will be critical to unlocking its full potential,” said Tim Breen, CEO of GlobalFoundries. He said the partnership would combine GlobalFoundries’ experience in high-volume semiconductor production with Quantinuum’s trapped-ion technology, helping create a more scalable and dependable foundation for quantum hardware development in the United States.

Dr. Timothy Day, CEO of Monarch Quantum, said the development of large-scale trapped-ion quantum computers will require a transition from complicated, expansive optical configurations toward integrated photonics systems that are easier to scale and operate reliably. He described the expanded partnership with Quantinuum as an opportunity to advance the company’s hardware plans while contributing to U.S. manufacturing capabilities and greater resilience across the quantum technology supply chain.

The combined R&D initiatives are expected to simplify quantum system architectures while making critical components more durable, dependable and reproducible. In the longer term, these improvements could help accelerate the scaling of trapped-ion quantum computers while expanding domestic expertise in key areas such as semiconductor manufacturing and photonics.

Photonics: Transforming the Future of Information Technology
Photonics is reshaping how we handle data—transmitting, processing, and sensing information with unprecedented speed and efficiency. It’s the driving force behind transformative advances, from lightning-fast internet connections to emerging technologies like quantum computing and self-driving cars.

But what exactly is photonics, and why is it becoming so crucial in today’s technological landscape?
 
Understanding Photonics
At its core, photonics involves the science and technology of harnessing light (photons) to perform tasks traditionally managed by electronics. Unlike electronics, which depend on electrical currents to operate, photonics uses light waves—offering significantly higher data transfer speeds, broader bandwidth, and reduced power consumption.

In fact, photonics already plays a role in many everyday applications:

 
Why Photonics Is on the Rise
As we near the physical and technical limits of conventional electronic systems (as described by Moore’s Law), photonics provides a powerful alternative. Key advantages include:

Thanks to these strengths, photonics is being adopted in breakthrough areas like 6G wireless, artificial intelligence hardware, quantum systems, and next-gen healthcare technologies.
 
The Complexity of Photonic Design
Despite its potential, designing photonic systems is far from simple. Unlike traditional electronics, which deal with currents and voltages, photonics involves the behavior of light waves. This introduces unique design challenges involving the simulation of elements like waveguides, modulators, resonators, and detectors. Additionally, many photonic systems must be closely integrated with electronics, further complicating the design process.

Standard electronic design tools fall short when it comes to modeling these optical phenomena. Photonic development demands specialized software capable of accurately simulating light behavior, material interactions, and electromagnetic properties at very small scales.
 
Introducing Keysight Photonic Designer
Keysight Photonic Designer is a state-of-the-art design solution created specifically for engineers working on photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Whether you're building a silicon-based optical transceiver, a medical diagnostic sensor, or a chip for quantum communication, this tool helps you:

By integrating photonics and electronics within a unified workflow, this platform reduces complexity and shortens the innovation cycle.
 
Why It Matters Today
Photonics is no longer an emerging field—it’s actively driving innovation across multiple industries. As the need for faster, more efficient data systems continues to grow, companies with the ability to design and validate photonic systems will be at the forefront of the next wave of technological advancement.

With Keysight Photonic Designer, engineers gain the tools they need to create cutting-edge solutions—quickly, accurately, and at scale—within the comprehensive Advanced Design System (ADS) platform.

Click here to view Keysight Photonic Design Automation Solutions.