Archer Materials inks quantum deal with US-based IonQ

Archer Materials, an Australian quantum company developing technologies in computing, sensing and medical diagnostics, has entered into a Quantum Compute Agreement with IonQ.

IonQ specialises in quantum computing systems, as well as quantum networking, sensing, security, cloud-based quantum access and enterprise solutions, delivering commercial quantum applications. 

Under the agreement, Archer will build on the company’s proprietary quantum applications via software and algorithm development, with the companies also collaborating to establish a 'sovereign' quantum computing capability onshore by assessing the deployment of an IonQ quantum computer in Australia.

Archer will gain access to the IonQ Quantum Cloud, allowing the company to advance its algorithms, such as its Quantum Machine Learning (QML) fraud detection program, and to work with partners and potential customers to develop additional quantum applications.

An IonQ specialist engineering team will support Archer to advance its quantum computing applications, including algorithm selection, evaluation and planning for future quantum systems.

The agreement has an initial term of three years and can be renewed by mutual agreement between Archer and IonQ. During the term, Archer will pay IonQ US$250,000 on signing the Agreement and then US$250,000 every six months thereafter (total of US$1.5 million).

IonQ will also give Archer access to IonQ's quantum simulator and expert advisory and consulting services.

“This is a significant milestone for Archer, and we are delighted to enter this strategic partnership with global pioneer, IonQ,” said Archer CEO  Dr Simon Ruffell.

 “Quantum compute power is no longer a horizon technology, but a strategically critical utility ready for commercial deployment. There is an urgent and growing demand for quantum computing services in Australia, especially in areas where confidentiality and data sovereignty are paramount, such as in banking or defence.

“This Agreement with IonQ represents an exciting opportunity to explore how Archer can help bring advanced quantum computing services to Australian customers and support developing sovereign quantum capability nationally. Importantly, it expands our quantum business offering."

Last year, Archer signed a collaboration agreement with Emergence Quantum to help Archer develop a strategic technology program to guide joint research, development, and commercialisation of next-generation quantum materials and devices.

Earlier this year, Archer stated that it is advancing towards wafer-scale manufacturing of its qubit technology, marking a step in the company’s progress from laboratory-based development to scalable semiconductor production.