IonQ Stock Pops After Delivering Photonic Quantum Computer To Air Force Lab

Sep 23 - IonQ IONQ stock gained about 2% on Tuesday morning after the company announced progress on a key step toward quantum networking. Working with the Air Force Research Lab, IonQ successfully converted photons from the visible spectrum, used in its trapped barium ion systems, into telecom wavelengths on a prototype setup.

This achievement matters because telecom wavelengths allow quantum signals to travel over existing fiber optic infrastructure, which could eventually connect quantum computers across long distances. IonQ described it as the first demonstration by a quantum company of visible-to-telecom conversion, calling it a foundation for linking multiple quantum systems.

CEO Niccolo de Masi said IonQ plans to soon connect two quantum computers using standard wavelengths, enabling the development of secure, distributed quantum networks. He framed the effort as part of IonQ's broader vision for a future Quantum Internet, one that could benefit telecom providers and network operators building next-generation infrastructure.

The milestone follows IonQ's delivery of its first trapped-ion quantum computer with an integrated photonic interface to AFRL in Rome, New York. The company continues to expand globally, with operations in both the U.S. and Switzerland.