Toronto-based Xanadu Quantum Technologies introduced Aurora, a scalable, networked, and modular quantum computer. The system, composed of four interconnected and networked server racks, features 12 qubits powered by 35 photonic chips and 13 kilometers (8 miles) of fiber optics, all operating at room temperature. This achievement, detailed in the journal Nature, represents a significant advancement in quantum computing, demonstrating the potential for scaling to thousands of server racks and millions of qubits to create quantum data centers.
Aurora builds on technologies from Xanadu’s earlier quantum systems, X8 and Borealis, emphasizing a modular approach that enhances scalability, modularity, and networkability. By leveraging commercially available chips produced through mature fabrication techniques, Aurora operates without the extreme cooling requirements typical of many quantum systems, making it a viable candidate for future large-scale implementations. Xanadu now aims to address optical loss to improve fault tolerance, working with its foundry partners to optimize chip design and fabrication.
• Innovative Design: Aurora integrates 35 photonic chips and 13 km (8 miles) of fiber optics in a modular, room-temperature architecture.
• Scalability: The system can theoretically scale to thousands of racks and millions of qubits, paving the way for quantum data centers.
• Technological Milestone: Builds on X8 and Borealis systems, showcasing real-time error correction, quantum gate operations, and robust networking capabilities.
• Published Validation: Aurora’s results appear in Nature, highlighting its role as a foundational step toward utility-scale quantum computing.
• Future Focus: Xanadu plans to enhance fault tolerance by addressing optical loss through advanced chip design and partnerships with foundries.
Christian Weedbrook, founder and CEO of Xanadu, said, “Photonics really is the best and most natural way to both compute and network. We now could, in principle, scale up to thousands of server racks and millions of qubits, but first we will focus on performance in reducing loss and being fault tolerant.”
- Xanadu Quantum Technologies, founded in 2016 by Christian Weedbrook, who serves as CEO with a background in quantum information and photonics. He has led the company to focus on developing programmable Gaussian boson sampling devices using squeezed states of light for quantum computations. Xanadu published a blueprint in 2020 for building a fault-tolerant quantum computer using photonic technology. To further its technological advancements, the company has formed significant partnerships, including with two prominent Japanese companies in June 2024, and later that year, with Toyota for material simulations in quantum computing.