IonQ achieves quantum interconnect technology with over 1,000 entanglement events per second

IonQ has demonstrated a quantum interconnect technology capable of linking two different types of qubits at more than 1,000 entanglement events per second. The achievement will help engineers build larger quantum computers, enabling more efficient exchange of quantum information between different systems. The demonstration connected a trapped-ion qubit with a silicon-vacancy (SiV) qubit located in a solid-state memory. The photonic interconnect technology uses light to establish a quantum link between them. IonQ said the result exceeds the previous record for trapped-ion systems by more than four times.

Technological breakthrough solves communication bottleneck

This breakthrough technology solves a major challenge in quantum computing: connecting different hardware systems without creating a communication bottleneck.

Trapped ions provide excellent qubit coherence, allowing them to preserve quantum information for long periods. Silicon-vacancy centers in diamond, meanwhile, can interact efficiently with light, making them promising candidates for quantum memory. IonQ's approach combines these advantages through photonic links. The trapped-ion system processes quantum information, while the solid-state memory provides an interface suited for optical communication. Entanglement links quantum systems through a shared quantum state, enabling operations that classical communication cannot replicate. Quantum networks rely on this property to coordinate separate processors, with the potential to distribute computational workloads across multiple machines.

IonQ's demonstration used actual hardware to test the full link between the two qubit types. The results appear in a technical paper detailing the system's performance. Interconnect speed is critical because larger quantum computers may need to coordinate many independent processing units. Slow links could limit how quickly these units can perform joint operations, even if individual qubits perform well. IonQ Chairman and CEO Niccolo de Masi compared this challenge to the evolution of traditional data centers.

Specialized processors, memory, and networking helped classical computing infrastructure surpass the limits of a single machine. Quantum systems may follow a similar path, with photonic links connecting independent compute modules.

Potential applications of photonic interconnects

The entanglement rate reported by IonQ suggests that optical communication need not become a primary bottleneck in distributed quantum computing. The architecture can also support networked sensing, enabling connected quantum devices to coordinate measurements across different locations. Its potential compatibility with multiple qubit technologies could extend its applicability beyond trapped-ion hardware. IonQ is also pursuing quantum networking through the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's HARQ program. The initiative aims to develop high-speed interconnects across different quantum computing architectures. Although the reported demonstration used trapped ions, IonQ expects its underlying design to adapt to other platforms.

Those platforms could include neutral-atom systems and superconducting qubits paired with transducers that convert microwave signals to light.

The company has also begun commercializing its quantum memory and interconnect technology. The University of Maryland purchased the first commercial system, announced in April 2026. IonQ announced in September the sale of another system to South Korean company SDT. IonQ Chief Scientist Chris Monroe said photonic links will play a crucial role in large-scale quantum computing. The next challenge will be translating faster entanglement into reliable operations in increasingly complex quantum networks. Connecting different qubit technologies will help researchers build modular systems without requiring every component to use the same hardware.

New direction for interconnect technology in quantum computing

IonQ's quantum interconnect technology marks a significant advance in the field of quantum computing, particularly in solving communication problems between different hardware systems. This technology not only improves the entanglement rate between qubits but also lays the foundation for future quantum networks. As demand for quantum computing grows, the ability to effectively connect different types of qubits will become critical, enabling quantum computers to work together and distribute computational tasks on a larger scale. IonQ's commercialization progress and its compatibility with other quantum technologies will further drive the development of quantum computing.