Netherlands delivers its first quantum computer to German aerospace institute
QuiX Quantum delivered the Netherlands’ first quantum computer to Germany’s DLR aerospace institute, Financieele Dagblad (FD) reports. The machine, named Carina, is also the world’s first quantum computer to rely on photons — light particles — as its qubits. The Enschede-based startup, a spin-off from the University of Twente, developed and delivered the system.
A quantum computer is an advanced machine that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations far more powerful than those of ordinary computers. It relies on qubits, the fundamental units of quantum information. Unlike classical bits that are either 0 or 1, qubits can represent multiple states simultaneously. The technology is said to hold strong potential for breakthroughs in medicine and science.
Most quantum computers must be cooled to temperatures near absolute zero to maintain stability, making them difficult and expensive to operate and maintain. Because of its use of photonic qubits based on light particles, Carina works at room temperature.
QuiX Quantum was founded in 2019 and initially focused on photonic chips that process data with light.
The company names its products after constellations. Its earlier developments include the Alquor quantum processor and the Bia quantum cloud environment.
