Nu Quantum opens trapped‑ion quantum networking laboratory in Cambridge - New Electronics
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Teams WhatsApp Facebook Email X Neil Tyler 10 Feb 2026 More in Electronics Research Design Recommended Quantum Motion opens European offices in Spain Quantum Networking Unit to scale quantum datacentres NQCC to host Nu Quantum’s platform for networking quantum computers Nu Quantum opens trapped‑ion quantum networking laboratory in Cambridge News 3 mins read Nu Quantum has opened a new trapped‑ion quantum networking laboratory in Cambridge, marking a significant expansion of its research infrastructure as the company works towards scalable, distributed quantum computing. Trapped‑ion quantum networking laboratory opens Credit: Nu Quantum Located close to Nu Quantum’s existing research and development headquarters, the new laboratory effectively doubles the company’s R&D capacity. It is intended to support the development and testing of technologies that allow multiple quantum processors to be interconnected into a single computing system. Achieving practical, large‑scale quantum computing depends on the ability to scale beyond individual processors. Nu Quantum’s approach focuses on linking separate quantum processors into a modular, distributed architecture, allowing systems to grow incrementally rather than relying on a single monolithic machine. The company’s technology is designed to be adaptable across different quantum computing modalities. While the new laboratory will initially focus on trapped‑ion systems, Nu Quantum says its architecture can support other approaches to quantum computing. At the centre of the new facility is a multi‑node networking testbed, where Nu Quantum will demonstrate its Qubit‑Photon Interface (QPI) technology with trapped‑ion qubits. The QPI is designed to connect clusters of commercial quantum processors using a scalable photonic network, enabling entanglement to be shared between qubits located in different physical nodes. The interfaces combine optical microcavity technology with custom‑built ion traps, allowing the creation of high‑performance entanglement links between remote qubits. According to the company, this approach is intended to exceed the performance of current demonstrations of remote quantum entanglement. Nu Quantum’s QPI hardware forms part of its broader Entanglement Fabric technology roadmap, which aims to establish a robust photonic networking layer for modular quantum computers. The company says its work builds on expertise in optical microcavity mirror fabrication, new entanglement protocols and a systems‑level approach to distributed quantum computing. The opening of the laboratory follows Nu Quantum’s recent $60m Series A funding round, which the company described as the largest ever raised by a UK quantum company and the largest globally in the field of quantum networking. Nu Quantum said the investment, combined with its expanding facilities, signals a new phase of growth. The company is currently recruiting across several technical roles, with a particular focus on scientists and engineers specialising in trapped‑ion and atomic, molecular and optical (AMO) physics. The new laboratory adds to Nu Quantum’s existing research capabilities, which include access to cleanrooms, optics laboratories and mechanical and electronics engineering resources. It will also support ongoing collaborations with organisations including the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), the University of Sussex, the University of Cambridge, Cisco, and foundry subcontractor Infineon Technologies. Although the facility’s initial focus is on trapped‑ion qubits, Nu Quantum noted that its technology is transferable to other platforms. In 2024, the company announced its first Qubit‑Photon Interface for neutral atom qubits as part of an Innovate UK project with partner Infleqtion. Nu Quantum has also received a loan of specialist equipment from the NQCC, which it said is critical to the laboratory’s operation. The in‑kind support aligns with the NQCC’s objective of strengthening the UK quantum supply chain and supporting the development of emerging technologies.
Dr Carmen Palacios‑Berraquero, founder and chief executive of Nu Quantum, said the new facility represents a milestone for the sector. “The opening of our new laboratory is a huge milestone as it constitutes the first dedicated industrial R&D facility for trapped‑ion distributed quantum computing in the UK and Europe. This state‑of‑the‑art laboratory will accelerate our roadmap to enabling interconnected quantum computing architectures.” Dr Claire Le Gall, vice‑president of technology at Nu Quantum, highlighted the significance of bringing key technologies in‑house. “After years of R&D achieving unprecedented cavity performance for fast, efficient quantum networking, we are now preparing to test one of our core technologies in‑house with trapped‑ion qubits. This lab opening is a major milestone for Nu Quantum and this is an incredibly exciting time for the team.” Professor Mete Atatüre, head of the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge and a founding advisor to Nu Quantum, said the facility addresses a critical challenge in the field. “The quantum interconnection challenge remains a bottleneck from communications to distributing computing, and Nu Quantum’s new Testbed Lab will push the limits of networked quantum systems at industrially relevant scales.” As quantum computing research moves from laboratory demonstrations towards practical systems, the ability to interconnect processors is increasingly seen as essential. Distributed architectures, enabled by reliable quantum networking, are widely viewed as a pathway to scaling quantum computers beyond current limitations. Nu Quantum’s expansion reflects growing investment and industrial interest in this area, as the UK seeks to translate its strengths in quantum research into commercial and technological leadership.
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