Quantum hardware company IonQ has delivered its first overseas ion trap to its European quantum data center in QuantumBasel, Switzerland. This ion trap is a key component of IonQ Forte Enterprise, the company's most powerful quantum system that will scale to 35 algorithmic qubits.

The IonQ Forte Enterprise system will be capable of considering more than 34 billion different possibilities simultaneously. It uses naturally occurring qubits (individual atoms) that are turned into ions and "trapped" in 3D space, where lasers are used for initial preparation, manipulation, and final readout of the atoms.

IonQ claims this delivery will provide European businesses, government agencies, and research institutes with enterprise-grade direct access to IonQ's systems for developing novel applications in fields like AI, finance, and chemistry. The company also plans to deliver a future 64 algorithmic qubit system through this partnership with QuantumBasel.

Analyst QuickTake : IonQ’s partnership with QuantumBasel was initiated in June 2023 to jointly establish a European quantum data center aimed at supporting the R&D of quantum technologies in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. According to the partnership agreement, IonQ will further deliver a 64 AQ system. IonQ also raised a USD 5.7 million contract from the University of Maryland (August 2024) to develop quantum-powered national security solutions.