October 31, 2024 -- Irish-headquartered Equal1 expands team to include renowned scientists from TNO, the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research.

Equal1, a leader in silicon-based quantum computing, has announced that top experts in silicon qubit technology have joined the company to advance the development of Equal1’s next-generation QSoC (quantum-system-on-chip) processors.

This news follows the recent announcement of a strategic partnership with TNO, the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research to propel the development of next-generation silicon-based quantum devices.

World-class team

Equal1’s executive team expansion now brings together world class quantum expertise with a proven track record of commercializing successful silicon products, with the addition of three world renowned quantum physicists recognized for their pioneering work in silicon qubit technology. They are:

Nodar Samkharadze, Ph.D., Chief Quantum Architect

At TNO, Samkharadze led efforts to design, manufacture and calibrate the spin qubit quantum processors in Quantum Inspire, the first multi-technology platform quantum computer demonstrator in the cloud. Previously, he held the position of Post-Doctoral Researcher at QuTech, where he worked on extending connectivity of spin qubits through microwave cavities.

Amir Sammak, Ph.D., Vice-President of Quantum Material

As a Senior Scientist at TNO, Sammak advanced research on the design, development and fabrication of Si/SiGe and Ge/SiGe heterostructures. These structures were explored as potential platforms for the fabrication of CMOS-compatible silicon and germanium (SiGe) spin-qubit devices. Additionally, he was a member of the QuTech management team, as the Engineering Lead of the Quantum Computing Division.

Sergey Amitonov, Ph.D., Director of Quantum Device Integration

Amitonov served as a Senior Scientist at TNO, where he led advanced research in the nano-fabrication of quantum devices. He successfully oversaw the fabrication of the largest spin-based quantum processor in silicon on a silicon-germanium heterostructure (SiGe). Before his tenure at TNO, he worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at QuTech and in the Nano-Electronics Group at the University of Twente.

Nodar Samkharadze, Ph.D., Equal1’s new Chief Quantum Architect, said:

"A number of silicon quantum computing startups have emerged from academic and research institutions, many focusing primarily on scaling qubits. While qubit development is foundational, the interplay between qubits and system architecture is critical for achieving commercial viability.

What sets Equal1 apart—and what drew us to join the team—is their holistic approach. We're not just advancing qubit technology; we're developing the entire system necessary to support commercial scalable quantum computing. This integration of qubits, control chip, cryo-electronics, software, and a cryo-mechanical system is designed to function seamlessly.

The substantial progress made by a relatively small, yet extraordinarily passionate team, consisting of individuals drawing from extensive experience in the silicon industry, has convinced me of our imminent path towards commercialization. We are excited to join the team and eager to demonstrate how together, we can fully ramp up the entire quantum system and bring quantum advantage to life.”

Brendan Barry, Equal1’s Chief Technology Officer, said: "I am incredibly proud to welcome this group of exceptional talent to our team. Their extensive experience, deep technical expertise, and passion for innovation align perfectly with our mission.

As we continue to push the boundaries of quantum computing, assembling the world’s leading team in silicon qubit technology will be crucial in achieving our ambitious goals. Together, we’re poised to drive the next wave of breakthroughs."