Neutral-atom quantum computing adds another company Launch of the UK's first commercial system

On November 11, at the UK National Quantum Technology Exhibition, Glasgow-based M Squared unveiled the Maxwell system [1], the UK's first prototype of a commercially available neutral-atom quantum computer, representing a key milestone in commercially viable quantum hardware in the UK.

Graeme Malcolm, co-founder and CEO of M Squared

Dr. Graeme Malcolm, founder and CEO of M Squared, said [2], "Quantum computing is not just a faster implementation of traditional computing, but a new and more powerful way of processing information - one that will enable countless new applications. The collaborative effort to realise the potential of quantum computing demonstrates the UK's unique strength in bringing together industry and academia: building on the frontiers of science, getting out of the lab, creating real-world applications, and improving society."

01Maxwell: neutral atomic system architecture that pushes the limits of technology

According to the company, Maxwell relies on M Squared's advanced laser systems and quantum systems integration, as well as expertise in Reedeburg atomic and quantum algorithms at the University of Scleraide.

Neutral atoms

Neutral-atom platforms use lasers to cool and control atoms to improve the scalability and fidelity of quantum bits; many quantum experts believe that neutral-atom technology may be the surest path to quantum computers that can solve real-world problems. Quantum computers are sensitive to environmental noise and errors, which makes them expensive to build and run. In this regard, neutral atoms may be better for robustness.

Dr. Jonathan Pritchard, project leader in the Department of Physics at the University of Siklid, said the project goes beyond important technical steps in mastering neutral atom technology. "The neutral atom approach to quantum information processing offers unique advantages for scalable and flexible computing platforms, and the unparalleled performance of M Squared's underlying technology is a great platform to push the limits of these devices in our lab."

02M Squared: Laser Market Leader Towards Quantum Computing

M squared is a leading company in the laser and photonics market. Based in Scotland, the company designs and manufactures a range of award-winning laser systems for researchers, serving world-leading institutions and universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Birmingham Universities in the UK and MIT, Harvard, NIST and JILA in the US.

M Squared offers a range of quantum products for businesses and institutions worldwide, including integrated systems (quantum accelerometers, quantum gravimeters and quantum clocks) as well as optical systems and electronics. Specifically, the company's integrated quantum systems include [3].

High-sensitivity atomic interferometer. These are quantum accelerometers that use high-sensitivity atomic interferometry to measure acceleration along the horizontal axis and are used in satellite-free navigation. They will be key components of quantum inertial navigation units and provide the very low phase noise needed to perform high-sensitivity measurements and dynamic frequency tunability to resolve multiple atomic jumps.

Quantum Gravimeter. It is the first commercial device of its kind in the UK and uses matter wave interferometry for gravity sensing. It is a field deployable quantum sensor for local gravity measurements using atomic interferometry with applications in subsurface measurements.

Strontium lattice clock. Designed to create the world's first commercially available fully integrated optical frequency atomic clock. The clock will be compact, portable, easy to use and based on a compact portable precision timing system based on the optical lattice technology used in the world's leading laboratories; the strontium lattice clock will achieve a frequency uncertainty of less than 10-17.

The release of Maxwell, which is capable of handling complex optimization problems, demonstrates that the UK is rapidly becoming a global leader in the quantum ecosystem; previously, M Squared was a leading supplier of quantum technology, and now M Squared is moving into quantum computing itself.

03Leading several UK strategic projects with over £50 million in funding

Since 2020 and to date, M Squared has been at the forefront of commercialising revolutionary quantum technologies in the UK: a key part of central government's commitment to R&D and its future industrial strategy [4].

Earlier in 2020, M Squared was announced as part of the Innovate UK Challenge Fund DISCOVERY [5]: to raise £10 million and lead the UK's largest industry-led commercial quantum computing project. m Squared will work with Oxford Ionics, ORCA Computing, Kelvin Nanotechnology and TMD Technologies, will work closely with the Universities of Glasgow, Slaughter and Oxford and the UK National Physical Laboratory (NPL) to organise and coordinate DISCOVERY; areas include neutral atoms, ion traps and optical quantum bit methods for quantum computing.

The core objective of DISCOVERY is to demonstrate the shift from fundamental academic activities to scalable commercial implementations; another core objective is to develop the broader UK quantum computing field, so the project will also support the establishment of commercial hardware supplies and roadmaps for industrial deployment of these technologies.

Subsequently in December 2020, M Squared announced a major new £32.5 million financing: £20 million of debt financing from Santander UK and a £12.5 million growth capital injection from the newly formed National Investment Bank of Scotland; together to support M Squared's business growth and technology development. M Squared's innovations are addressing global technology challenges in areas as diverse as climate change, healthcare, quantum computing and virtual reality.

Commenting on these strategic financing and quantum commercialization developments, Dr. Graeme Malcolm OBE, Founder and CEO of M Squared, has said, "M Squared makes the world's purest light technology with transformative, real-world applications that can address climate emergencies, dramatically improve biomedical imaging, enable the next evolutionary semiconductor, and now truly unlock the upcoming quantum age. Scotland sits at the heart of the UK's advanced science and technology sector, alongside world-leading universities and business partners - it has become a vital hub of excellence from which we can continue to expand globally."

"Our commercial and technological potential is significant and with these transactions we will have the ideal financial structure and technology platform to make progress and deliver substantial growth and initiate a range of significant new developments."

Reference links：

[1]https://thequantuminsider.com/2022/11/12/m-squared-demonstrates-neutral-atom-quantum-computer/

[2]https://www.insider.co.uk/news/m-squared-reveals-quantum-computing-28464814

[3]https://www.m2lasers.com/quantum.html

[4]https://www.m2lasers.com/msquared-announces-325m-new-financing-to-accelerate-growth-and-advance-quantum-technologies.html

[5]https://www.m2lasers.com/msquared-announces-325m-new-financing-to-accelerate-growth-and-advance-quantum-technologies.html