Japanese conglomerate Hamamatsu Photonics, its subsidiary NKT Photonics, and startup Yaqumo signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop and commercialize photonic systems for cold atom quantum computers.
According to the press release, the agreement lays the foundation for joint R&D projects, the creation of industrial optical modules, and the establishment of a global supply chain for key components.
In neutral atom quantum systems, photonic lasers play a critical role: they are used for cooling, trapping, manipulating qubit states, and subsequently reading information.
Hamamatsu Photonics will provide expertise in photodetectors and ultra-sensitive imaging systems. NKT Photonics will develop specialized laser technologies and fiber optic solutions. Yaqumo will focus on hardware, developing its own scalable architecture based on ytterbium atoms.
The signing ceremony took place on June 3 at the official residence of the Danish ambassador in Japan.
The event was attended by Jingo Kikukawa, Director-General of the Bureau of Innovation and Environment at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Jarl Frijs-Madsen, the Danish ambassador to Japan.
Yaqumo noted that this initiative is part of an intergovernmental agreement between Japan and Denmark on cooperation in quantum technologies, signed in 2025.
The partners expect that the cooperation will enable Japan to ensure stable supplies of optical components for its national quantum industry, while Denmark will strengthen its position as a global hub for high-tech equipment production.
In May, Australian scientists developed a full-cycle photonic chip for quantum systems.
In June, Dutch company QuiX Quantum installed the first Feed-Forward Control Unit system designed for controlling a photonic quantum computer.