Testing quantum chips in days instead of years
OrangeQS: radically speeding up the testing process of quantum chips
Anyone wanting to build quantum computers will soon stumble on a persistent bottleneck: the testing of quantum chips. This process is complex, expensive and each chip may take one-and-a-half years to test. OrangeQS wants to change this. The scale-up from Delft is designing advanced testing solutions which will help builders of quantum computers validate their chips much faster. “We are completely focusing on testing quantum chips and want to become the standard in testing technology,” says Amber van Hauwermeiren, co-founder of Orange Quantum Systems.
OrangeQS was founded in 2020 and is a QuTech – the TNO and TU Delft quantum technology research institute – spin-off. The founders had previously worked on Quantum Inspire, the first publicly accessible quantum computer in Europe. One essential part of quantum chips are qubits. These are tested under extreme conditions and this takes longer than actually producing the qubits. Developments in the area of quantum computers are moving really fast, but get stuck in the lengthy testing process of the chips. OrangeQS’s innovative and scalable technology offers a solution to this growing need.
“The future of the quantum industry is not seated in one comprehensive company, but in a strong, collaborative chain of specialized companies.”
Rapid growth
In five years’ time, OrangeQS grew from a spin-off to an international player in the quantum industry. It has around 30 staff members and its clients include the Finnish-German IQM Quantum Computers. Its OrangeQS MAX was an important breakthrough. The OrangeQS MAX is a test machine that can test large chips of up to 150 qubits in less than 10 days. This makes OrangeQS unique around the world. “At the moment we are the only company that offers this commercially,” says Amber.
This position is important as the market is moving fast. In around 2030, quantum computers are expected to be powerful and stable enough to be used in applications such as materials research, medicine development and cybersecurity. When this point is reached, the test infrastructure must be ready to deliver at industrial scale.
Orange Quantum Systems had previously received an investment from InnovationQuarter Capital. This support fits in the phase in which the company is now – scaling up a highly promising technology internationally.
Partnerships with suppliers are crucial
With shorter development cycles of the components and subsystems in the test equipment, OrangeQS’ suppliers can help the required exponential speeding up. “We depend on their technical expertise in integrating the complex subsystems that they supply.” OrangeQS is thus working with the suppliers intensively on continually improving the reliability, speed and cost effectiveness of the parts. “Partnerships are indispensable in scaling up and innovation. We work on improving the technology together as our clients have high requirements in all three areas,” Amber explains.
Do you want to test and validate complex technology more quickly too?
Orange Quantum Systems shows how a better test infrastructure can speed up the development of quantum chips from years to days.
The power of a specialized ecosystem
OrangeQS is part of the ImpaQT UA, a cooperation of Delft Circuits, QuantWare and Qblox, and works with them in the QUST network. These kinds of initiatives strengthen the collaboration between quantum and semiconductor companies in South Holland. This is no coincidence. Three of the most important OrangeQS subsystems come from the South Holland quantum ecosystem.
“These partnerships are sometimes just around the corner,” says Amber. “These systems involve a lot of new and complicated technology and South Holland has a lot of pioneers here.” The companies not only supply critical parts, but also strengthen the regional economy and encourages new connections and ideas across sectors.
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