IonQ demonstrated remote ion-ion entanglement for the first time in a commercial setting. This advancement marks the second of four key steps required to implement photonic interconnects, a crucial technology for scaling quantum systems. IonQ’s team successfully entangled two qubits from separate ion traps using entangled photons, establishing a point-to-point quantum communication link—an essential element for creating networked quantum systems at scale.
The entanglement was made possible by collecting photons from two ion trap wells and routing them to a single detection hub. This breakthrough brings IonQ closer to developing scalable, modular quantum systems through photonic interconnects. Unlike any other company in the commercial space, IonQ has moved this technology to the integration stage, positioning it as a leader in the race to build enterprise-grade quantum computers capable of solving complex problems. The demonstration builds on IonQ’s earlier success with ion-photon entanglement, furthering its goal of achieving commercial quantum advantage.
IonQ’s architecture, which focuses on scaling qubits within a single ion trap and networking multiple traps, continues to gain traction across academic and commercial sectors. The company remains committed to pushing the boundaries of quantum technology, advancing its photonic interconnects toward full commercial integration. With a clear focus on performance, scale, and enterprise-grade capabilities, IonQ is well-positioned to deliver powerful quantum systems to governments, enterprises, and researchers worldwide.
• Remote ion-ion entanglement achieved using entangled photons.
• Point-to-point quantum communication link established between separate ion traps.
• Photonic interconnects are a key part of IonQ’s strategy for scaling quantum systems.
• IonQ continues progress towards commercial quantum advantage.
• The system balances performance, scalability, and enterprise-grade features.
Peter Chapman, President & CEO of IonQ, stated, “The progress we’ve made towards photonic interconnects ensures our customers will have access to large quantum systems capable of tackling the most complex problems.”
