Arlesheim, August 13, 2024 - Today, the chip of Switzerland's first physical, commercially viable quantum computer arrived in Switzerland. This marks a significant milestone for Switzerland and strengthens the role of QuantumBasel, an uptownBasel Group company, as a neutral quantum hub and international innovation ecosystem.

QuantumBasel's customers and partners already benefit from its expertise, strategic advice and access to three different quantum computing technologies. Against this background, QuantumBasel carries out projects in the field of quantum computing and AI and enables its customers to shape their technological future. From the end of 2024, QuantumBasel will also offer direct access to a physical, commercially viable quantum computer. The arrival of the chip, a so-called "ion trap" from the manufacturer IonQ, thus represents another significant step towards the future.

In June 2023, QuantumBasel signed a contract with IonQ, one of the leading American manufacturers of quantum computers. As part of this partnership, IonQ is setting up an innovation center on the Schorenareal, which complements QuantumBasel's existing partnerships with IBM and D-Wave Systems. The quantum computer will be scalable to 35 algorithmic qubits (#AQ) and will be able to consider more than 34 billion different possibilities simultaneously. A future #AQ 64 system will also be delivered as part of this partnership.

"The arrival of the IonQ chip and the progress in building our first quantum system is testament to the close partnership between IonQ and QuantumBasel," said Damir Bogdan, CEO of QuantumBasel. "We are excited about the potential of this technology for our commercial and scientific endeavors. In particular, its use for complex optimization, simulation and machine learning is already impressive."

"IonQ's quantum computer on the Swiss Schorenareal in Arlesheim is an important investment in the future," said Dr. Thomas Staehelin, investor and Chairman of the Board of Directors of uptownBasel AG "We look forward to the innovative developments that will result from this collaboration."

IonQ's systems are based on naturally occurring qubits: individual atoms. These atoms are converted into ions and "trapped" in a 3D space where lasers provide precise control and readout to deliver accurate results. The speed, accuracy and scalability of the IonQ trapped ion systems make them an ideal platform for applications in research and industry.