Cisco Systems has announced a prototype chip designed for networking quantum computers, marking a significant advancement in quantum computing. The company also inaugurated its new Cisco Quantum Labs in Santa Monica, California, dedicated to quantum computing research.
The newly unveiled chip facilitates entanglement-based communication, enabling smaller quantum computers to be linked into larger, more powerful systems. This prototype leverages quantum mechanics to scale up the next generation of computer systems. The chip operates at standard telecom wavelengths, integrating seamlessly with existing fiber optic cables. It delivers high performance, supporting up to 200 million entanglement pairs per second per chip.
Cisco Quantum Labs will serve as a hub for Cisco's researchers and academic collaborators to explore theoretical concepts and practical implementations of quantum networking technologies. While the quantum chip is currently a prototype without a definitive revenue timeline, Cisco believes quantum networks can offer immediate benefits to traditional computers, such as ultra-precise time synchronization for global trading and quantum-secured communications. The company emphasizes a vendor-neutral approach, ensuring its networking stack will be compatible with various quantum computing technologies.