PASQAL To Open Quantum Computer Factory in Canada

Insider Summary

• PASQAL announced the establishment of a factory to manufacture quantum processing devices in Espace Quantique 1 DistriQ.
• The division will be called PASQAL-Canada and produce hardware for the North American market.
• PASQAL Canada will develop in partnership, new commercial applications in areas such as: smart cities, energy and materials science.

PRESS RELEASE — PASQAL, the world leader in quantum computing based on neutral atoms, announced the establishment of a factory to manufacture advanced quantum processing devices at Espace Quantique 1 of DistriQ – Quantum Innovation Zone in Sherbrooke, Canada. In this new flagship installation, PASQAL-Canada will produce hardware for the North American market to accelerate the adoption of atomic neutral quantum computing in the region. PASQAL Canada will develop partnerships, new commercial applications in areas such as: smart cities, energy and materials science, with a focus on providing business value to end users in the short term.

PASQAL’s quantum technology uses highly focused lasers, “optical tweezers”, to trap and manipulate individual neutral atoms to create 1D and 2D arrays in random configurations. In these quantum processors, each quantum bit (qubit) is encoded into two atomic energy levels, each atom in this arrangement represents one qubit. PASQAL’s neutral atom technology has demonstrated its ability to operate with more than 300 qubits and its next generation of devices will deliver 1,000 qubits of quantum computing power, which is believed to provide significant commercial advantages over classical computers by 2024. Enterprise customers include BMW, BASF, Johnson & Johnson, Siemens, Airbus, LG Electronics and Thales among many others.

PASQAL will install production of its quantum computers at DistriQ’s Espace Quantique 1. Opening in Sherbrooke in early fall 2023, the 50,000 square foot (4,600 square meter) building will be the most expansive and comprehensive commercially focused quantum center. It brings together the leading minds in quantum technology with the most equipped joint commercial quantum development laboratory. Espace Quantique 1 DistriQ empowers companies like PASQAL to accelerate technology and application development by focusing their resources on research and development rather than costly infrastructure and technology.

“This location is ideal for catalyzing PASQAL’s collaboration with academic and industrial institutions in North America, ensuring the continued development of the evolving quantum computing market,” said Raphaël de Thoury, CEO of PASQAL Canada. “The ecosystem in Sherbrooke, which is nurtured by the dynamism of DistriQ – the Quantum Innovation Zone in Sherbrooke, is fertile ground for a quantum industrial company like PASQAL. DistriQ is unique, as it brings together major major players in the value chain, from science to industrial applications”.

There are several applications resulting from the power of hybrid computers (quantum computing combined with High Performance Computing), including:

Optimization of distribution or transportation networks
Understand the mechanism of photosynthesis
Catalyst design for new fertilizers or drugs
Optimization of batteries or solar cells

Quantum computing is a promising field, and many companies around the world are investing in developing quantum technologies and applications in hopes of finding solutions to humanity’s current challenges.