PsiQuantum Wants to Build an Impossible Quantum Computer: One That Computes with Particles of Light

PsiQuantum is betting on photonic quantum computing, building a Chicago facility to pursue a large-scale, fault-tolerant machine.

The startup is working with GlobalFoundries on photonic chips and aims for about 1 million physical qubits from the start.

Its plan relies on light particles and on building the manufacturing base needed to scale, rather than retrofitting later.

Illinois public support and funding for a Brisbane plant are helping back the effort.

If it works, it could speed up breakthroughs in drugs, materials, and batteries, and leap ahead of today’s small, error-prone prototypes.