On July 25, PsiQuantum announced a partnership with the state of Illinois to build a quantum facility covering approximately 28,000 square meters.
The largest quantum facility in the U.S. by PsiQuantum is expected to house a quantum computer with one million qubits within the next decade. Currently, the largest quantum computers only have about 1,000 qubits. Experts believe that a quantum computer needs one million qubits or more to function practically. The reason for this enormous number of qubits is that they are prone to errors, necessitating a vast quantity to correct those errors.
Simulation of PsiQuantum’s quantum facility. (Photo: Lamar Johnson Collaborative)
Quantum computers promise to perform a variety of tasks, ranging from healthcare to cryptography, at record speeds. Companies are employing various methods to develop and scale quantum computers. For instance, Google and IBM create qubits from superconducting materials. IonQ generates qubits by trapping ions with electromagnetic fields. Meanwhile, PsiQuantum develops qubits from photons.
A significant advantage of photon-based quantum computers is their ability to operate at higher temperatures compared to superconducting systems. Photons do not carry heat and are free from electromagnetic interference, according to Pete Shadbolt, co-founder and chief scientist of PsiQuantum. This makes laboratory experimentation with the technology cheaper and simpler.
Photon quantum computers require less cooling, which saves energy and makes scaling easier. PsiQuantum’s computers cannot operate at room temperature because they need superconducting detectors to locate photons and correct errors. However, they only need to be cooled to a few degrees Kelvin, or just below -267.8 degrees Celsius. This temperature is very low, but still higher and more achievable than that required for superconducting systems.
PsiQuantum is not focused on developing small-scale quantum computers; instead, it aims to produce and test “intermediate systems” that include chips, cabinets, and superconducting photon detectors. One reason for this focus is that smaller devices cannot fully correct errors and operate at a practical price.
PsiQuantum has not disclosed the exact timeline for the Illinois project. However, the company plans to begin construction of a similar facility in Brisbane, Australia, in 2025, with operations expected to start in 2027. “We look forward to the Chicago facility coming online shortly thereafter,” the company stated.
