Xanadu and HyperLight Achieve New Breakthroughs in Photonic Quantum Chips
On July 29, 2025, Xanadu and HyperLight announced their latest advancements in photonic chip technology, marking a significant leap forward in the realm of quantum computing. This collaboration has led to the development of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonic chips that exhibit remarkably enhanced performance metrics, essential for overcoming existing limitations in scaling photonic quantum hardware.
The joint efforts of both companies have yielded impressive results, including waveguide losses reduced to below 2 dB/m in TFLN. The corresponding switch loss has measured about 20 milli-decibel (mdB), representing one of the lowest loss values recorded for electro-optic switches in photonic quantum computing applications. Such outstanding performance is imperative for the ambitious goal of realizing utility-scale quantum computers.
Zachary Vernon, Chief Technology Officer of Hardware at Xanadu, emphasized the importance of their long-standing partnership with HyperLight, stating, "Our collaboration has been crucial in achieving our hardware roadmap. The unprecedented performance of these new photonic chips sets a new industry benchmark and brings us closer to offering utility-scale photonic quantum computers."
Xanadu has gained recognition as a leader in the quantum computing domain, previously unveiling Aurora, the world’s first fiber-networked photonic quantum computer. The Aurora architecture highlighted Xanadu’s capability for scalability and networking, harnessing the advanced TFLN Chiplet™ platform provided by HyperLight. This recent achievement builds upon the foundational successes that enabled the Aurora demonstration while furnishing higher-performing chips essential for future generations of photonic quantum computers.
Mian Zhang, CEO of HyperLight, voiced his excitement about the implications of this breakthrough, stating, "The collaboration of HyperLight and Xanadu exemplifies the significant impact of TFLN technology. Our TFLN Chiplet Platform, synergized with high-volume datacom and telecom applications, is uniquely positioned to deliver unparalleled performance for exciting applications like quantum computing."
This milestone not only underscores the power of collaboration in advancing quantum computing capabilities but also marks a notable progression in Xanadu’s ongoing hardware development journey, solidifying its status as a global pioneer in quantum hardware.
About Xanadu:
Xanadu, founded in 2016, is a Canadian quantum computing company dedicated to constructing quantum computers that are both useful and accessible to people worldwide. As one of the foremost leaders in quantum hardware and software development, Xanadu also spearheads the creation of PennyLane, an open-source library designed for quantum computing and application development. To learn more, visit xanadu.ai or follow them on Twitter @XanaduAI.
About HyperLight:
Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, HyperLight focuses on delivering high-performance integrated photonics solutions based on its innovative TFLN Chiplet™ platform. By merging the superior electro-optic properties of thin-film lithium niobate with scalable CMOS-compatible manufacturing processes, HyperLight’s solutions offer remarkable bandwidth, ultra-low loss, and exceptional energy efficiency. This integration promotes groundbreaking advancements in industries such as AI, data centers, telecommunications, quantum computing, and other emerging technologies.