Oxford Ionics and Infineon Technologies to deliver portable quantum computer to Cyberagentur as part of €35M investment

• The mobile quantum system, called MinIon, is designed to be compact and robust  

• Cyberagentur will leverage MinIon for applications in national security and defence 

• MinIon is the first mobile variant of Oxford Ionics’ line of quantum computers 

OXFORD, 18th September, 2024: Oxford Ionics, a world leader in trapped-ion quantum computing, today announced that it has won a contract, alongside Infineon Technologies AG, to build a state-of-the-art portable quantum computer for  Agentur für Innovation in der Cybersicherheit GmbH, or 'Cyberagentur'. Oxford Ionics and Infineon are one of three independent contractors selected by Cyberagentur, who is investing a total of €35M into the project.

Founded by the German Federal Government, Cyberagentur aims to progress research and innovation in the field of cybersecurity to promote the country’s internal and external security. Cyberagentur will use Oxford Ionics’ portable quantum computer, called MinIon, for application development in national security and defence. 

Quantum computers are of particular interest for governments, as they can prove integral to national security and digital sovereignty. Government bodies around the world are already exploring different applications of quantum computing, from enhanced computing power to cryptography. Cyberagentur is specifically focused on applying quantum computing to ‘mobile defence’, meaning it can leverage a compact, lightweight, and energy-efficient mobile quantum computer for security and defence scenarios. These smaller systems are easily deployed, transported, and upgraded in the field – giving nation-states a crucial advantage. 

Oxford Ionics is uniquely positioned in the industry to deliver a mobile quantum computer. The company has developed a proprietary technology called ‘Electronic Qubit Control’ - meaning it uses electronics, not lasers, to control its qubits. This inherently robust technology can then be integrated onto a standard, thumbnail-sized chip produced in today’s semiconductor fabrication facilities. Through this unique approach, Oxford Ionics’ quantum computers can deliver powerful computational capabilities within an industry-leading small physical footprint where that is important for the particular needs of an organisation. 

MinIon will be the sixth quantum computer delivered by Oxford Ionics, following a contract won earlier this year with the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). As an R&D partner of Oxford Ionics, Infineon AG will contribute its expertise in microfabrication of highly reliable, large-scale ion trap chips. The two companies will work together to develop increasingly powerful quantum processor units (QPUs) that leverage Oxford Ionics’ scalable manufacturing and world-leading position in qubit quality. This quality was recently demonstrated with Oxford Ionics’ world-record performance in single- and two-qubit gate fidelity and quantum state preparation and measurement (SPAM). 

Dr Roman Bansen, Head of Quantum Technologies at Cyberagentur, commented: "Mobile systems are particularly important for security and defence scenarios, as they can operate independently of a data connection to stationary data centres. Especially in crises or defence situations, this is essential. At the same time, mobile quantum computers also potentially offer considerable advantages for civilian applications."

Dr Chris Ballance, Oxford Ionics co-founder and CEO, commented: “We are thrilled to be delivering the first mobile variant of our product line to Cyberagentur. Since our inception, we have viewed the challenge of building powerful quantum computers as an engineering project – not a science project. This approach has yielded both the highest performing chips in the world and a robust technology that can deliver industry-leading performance within a small physical footprint based on customer needs. MinIon represents the first of these small systems, which is uniquely engineered to suit the dynamic, fast-paced nature of national security and defence.”

Oxford Ionics is rapidly accelerating the commercialisation of its technology. If your organisation is interested in learning more about how to acquire one of its quantum computers, please fill out the following contact form. 

About Oxford Ionics

Oxford Ionics was co-founded in 2019 by Dr Tom Harty and Dr Chris Ballance who both hold world records in quantum breakthroughs. The team includes 55 global experts across physics, quantum architecture, engineering and software and expects to triple headcount over the next three years as the business scales internationally. Oxford Ionics has raised £37 million to date with investors including Braavos, OSE, Lansdowne Partners, Prosus Ventures, 2xN, and Hermann Hauser (founder of chip giant ARM). 

In February 2024, Oxford Ionics won the contract to produce Quartet, a full-stack quantum computer for the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre. The company also holds the current world-records for single- and two-qubit gate fidelity and quantum state preparation and measurement (SPAM). 

For more information, visit our website www.oxionics.com