September 26, 2024 -- Welinq, a pioneering modular quantum computing company, is proud to announce the formation of its Scientific Advisory Board, composed of four of the world’s most influential figures in quantum science. This esteemed board will guide Welinq’s strategic direction and R&D efforts, positioning the company at the forefront of modular quantum computing—a critical architecture for the future of distributed quantum computing.

The newly appointed Scientific Advisory Board includes:

Professor Alain Aspect

Awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics for his experiments with entangled photons, establishing the violation of Bell’s inequalities and opening the way to the science of quantum information. Alain Aspect is Professor at the Institut d’Optique-Université Paris-Saclay and École Polytechnique as well as an Emeritus Research Director at CNRS. His work on fundamental quantum phenomena, involving photons and/or atoms, has earned him numerous awards and his key expertise and scientific renown make him a leading figure in quantum research. He also has a remarkable track record in creating and supporting start-ups at the technological frontier.

Professor Artur Ekert

A pioneer in quantum cryptography and communication, a Professor of Quantum Physics at the University of Oxford, whose work has been instrumental in advancing secure quantum communication protocols. Professor Ekert is also a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). His expertise is highly valuable in guiding the deployment of Welinq’s technologies in real-world environments, particularly in enabling secure and scalable quantum networks. This focus aligns with Welinq’s mission to build quantum interconnects that will support the creation of large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum networks.

Professor Kae Nemoto

Director of the Quantum Information Science Center at Japan’s National Institute of Informatics, a pioneer in the development of quantum networks and distributed quantum computing and a leading voice in the advancement of quantum information theory, particularly in the context of scalable quantum systems. Her unique work on quantum architectures aligns directly with Welinq’s mission to create scalable quantum systems. Her expertise in optimizing quantum algorithms for modular systems will be pivotal in guiding Welinq’s development of robust full-stack quantum interconnects.

Professor Peter Zoller

Professor at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. Peter Zoller is a pioneering theorist in quantum optics, quantum information processing , and quantum error correction. He is one of the authors of the seminal DLCZ protocol, which is one of the most important protocols for quantum networking. His research on quantum simulation and quantum networking has significantly influenced the design of quantum processors and their interconnectivity. His groundbreaking research in quantum simulation and modular quantum systems provides a theoretical backbone for Welinq’s technological advancements. His insights will help shape the company’s approach to creating modular quantum networks that are both powerful and efficient.

The Future of Modular Quantum Computing and Quantum Networking

As the quantum computing industry progresses towards practical applications, the importance of modular quantum computing becomes increasingly evident. Modular systems, which connect multiple quantum processing units (QPUs) into a unified, scalable network, are essential for overcoming the limitations of standalone quantum systems. This approach allows for the parallelization of computations across interconnected quantum devices, drastically enhancing computational power and resilience to errors.

Welinq is at the cutting edge of this paradigm, developing quantum links that leverage laser-cooled neutral atom quantum memories to create robust interconnects between QPUs. These interconnects are vital for building scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computers capable of tackling complex problems beyond the reach of classical systems like drug discovery and climate simulations.

Strengthening Welinq’s Leadership

The establishment of this Scientific Advisory Board not only recognizes Welinq’s existing expertise but also strengthens its position as a leader in the quantum networking industry. The board members, each a reference in their field, bring unparalleled knowledge and experience in quantum mechanics, communication, and computation—areas critical to the success of modular quantum computing.

“By bringing together the best minds in physics, engineering and business, Welinq will enable quantum computer businesses to build machines that will address the world’s $1 trillion problems. Quantum memory is the catalyst for the global quantum computing industry and the insights of these world-renowned scientists provides a unique growing opportunity for the team. It’s also further evidence of Welinq’s leadership in modular quantum computing.” — Tom Darras, CEO and co-founder, Welinq