This article was originally published by IonQ on June 5, 2025.
Lightsynq’s photonic interconnect platform supports high-fidelity, multi-nodal qubit operations and modularity, which are essential for scaling quantum computers. The company’s innovations in quantum memory and repeater technology complement IonQ’s trapped-ion quantum computing approach and will advance IonQ’s quantum networking systems.
“With this acquisition, we’re not just acquiring talent and technology, we’re accelerating our development timeline to fault tolerant quantum computers and long distance networking capabilities,” said Niccolo de Masi, CEO of IonQ. “This deal accelerates the shift from experimental bulk optics to scalable optical chips, moving us closer to commercializing our next generation of advanced quantum technologies and the quantum internet.”
Founded by Harvard quantum networking experts and former AWS research leads Dr. Mihir Bhaskar, Dr. Bart Machielse, and Dr. David Levonian, Lightsynq has developed universal photonic interconnect solutions designed to link multiple quantum processing units (QPUs) with high bandwidth to scale quantum systems.
“IonQ is already a leader in enterprise-grade quantum computing and networking, and by joining forces, we’re accelerating the path to modular architectures that will deliver data-center-scale quantum computers in the future,” said Dr. Mihir Bhaskar, CEO of Lightsynq. “Our work will enable IonQ’s systems to network at speed and scale, laying the foundation for distributed quantum computing.”
As part of this acquisition, IonQ will add to its patent portfolio over 20 patents and patent applications related to quantum memory and interconnect technologies, further strengthening IonQ’s intellectual property position in the quantum computing and networking industry. This acquisition augments IonQ’s growing leadership in the quantum networking space, including its recent acquisitions of quantum networking companies Qubitekk and ID Quantique, and the development of a quantum computing and networking innovation center with EPB in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
About IonQ
IonQ, Inc. is a leading commercial quantum computing and networking company, delivering high-performance systems aimed at solving the world’s largest and most complex commercial and research use cases. IonQ’s current generation quantum computers, IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems, boasting 36 algorithmic qubits. The company’s innovative technology and rapid growth were recognized in Newsweek’s 2025 Excellence Index 1000, Forbes’ 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies list, and Built In’s 2025 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Washington, D.C. and Seattle, respectively. Available through all major cloud providers, IonQ is making quantum computing more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ.com.
About Lightsynq
Lightsynq is a quantum interconnect company founded by Harvard quantum networking experts and former AWS research leads Dr. Mihir Bhaskar (CEO), Dr. Bart Machielse (CTO) and Dr. David Levonian (CPO). Lightsynq's founders built the first-ever quantum memory capable of extending the range of quantum networks, a key technology enabling quantum devices to connect together in a future Quantum Internet. Lightsynq’s core mission is to use this same technology to build the world’s best quantum interconnects to link quantum processors at high speeds and overcome the bottleneck of single-system scaling.
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