Press Release

The chip of Switzerland's first physical, commercially viable quantum computer arrived on August 13 at QuantumBasel on the uptownBasel campus in Arlesheim

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.

About QuantumBasel
QuantumBasel is a competence center for quantum and AI technology in Switzerland and drives access to commercial quantum computing to foster innovation. QuantumBasel places particular emphasis on technological neutrality, which includes e.g. superconductors, ion traps as well as annealers. Technology partners include IBM, D-Wave and IonQ, with the latter currently building its first European quantum computer at the uptownBasel site, expected to be completed by the end of 2024. With its team of quantum and data scientists, QuantumBasel trains companies in harnessing these technologies and carries out joint projects. Collaboration with universities and universities of applied sciences is also strongly supported.
By building an internationally networked ecosystem, QuantumBasel enables companies in the fields of industrial production, logistics, finance, energy and life sciences as well as start-ups, universities and universities of applied sciences to access know-how and technologies that they cannot develop on their own. www.quantumbasel.com

About uptownBasel
uptownBasel is an international competence center for Industry 4.0 - globally networked, anchored in Europe and rooted in Basel. On the historic Schorenareal in Arlesheim near Basel, a development and production site for technology companies and other organizations is being created on around 70,000 square metres. The focus is on the areas of industrial production, healthcare and logistics as well as the cross-sectional function of digitalization. A total of 50 to 100 companies with up to 2,500 jobs are planned to settle here, with an investment volume of over CHF 500 million. uptownBasel is made possible by the private ownership of the Monique and Thomas Staehelin family and is being realized by Fankhauser Arealentwicklungen. www.uptownbasel.ch

About IonQ
IonQ, Inc. is a leader in quantum computing, delivering high-performance systems capable of solving the world's largest and most complex commercial and scientific use cases. IonQ's current generation quantum computer, IonQ Forte, is the latest in a series of state-of-the-art systems that feature 36 algorithmic qubits. The company's innovative technology and rapid growth have been recognized in Fast Company's 2023 Next Big Things in Tech List and Deloitte's 2023 Technology Fast 500™ List, respectively. IonQ is available through all major cloud providers, making quantum computing more accessible and impactful than ever before. www.ionq.com

QuantumBasel
Sophie Peggs
sophie.peggs@quantumbasel.com