Xanadu and GlobalFoundries Team Up to Scale Quantum Photonic Parts on 300mm Wafers
Xanadu Quantum Technologies and GlobalFoundries have formed a multi-year partnership to move photonic quantum computing components toward high-volume manufacturing. The work will focus on ultra-low-loss silicon nitride photonics and superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors on GF's 300mm line in Malta, New York. The companies expect this transition from lab prototyping to industrial production to support future fault-tolerant quantum systems.
Xanadu, a photonic quantum computing developer, and chipmaker GlobalFoundries plan a multiyear collaboration. The effort centers on producing two key component types at industrial scale: silicon nitride photonic circuits designed for very low optical loss, and superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors. Manufacturing is slated for GlobalFoundries' 300-millimeter fabrication site in Malta, New York.
These parts support photon-based quantum systems, where detectors must resolve photon numbers and optical pathways must preserve signals. Moving from laboratory prototypes to a high-volume line is intended to create a manufacturing base for future fault-tolerant demonstrators and, eventually, hardware for quantum data centers.
If this manufacturing transition succeeds, it may influence researchers, chip suppliers, and future quantum-computing users by making advanced photonic components more reproducible and available. Industrial production could shorten development cycles for fault-tolerant systems and support data-center-scale quantum hardware. Broader society might eventually see benefits in areas where quantum computing proves useful, though timelines and practical applications remain uncertain.