Cisco has unveiled a quantum networking chip and opened a new dedicated quantum research dedicated lab, as it seeks to accelerate practical quantum computing and strengthen the foundation for the quantum internet.

On Tuesday, the network-equipment company said the new chip aims to accelerate impactful quantum computing and networking applications from decades away to just 5-10 years.
The prototype aims to enable quantum networks to scale and connect quantum processors for practical applications by generating pairs of entangled photons that allow instantaneous connection regardless of distance through quantum teleportation.

The chip operates at standard telecommunications wavelengths and can therefore leverage existing fibre optic infrastructure. It operates at room temperature as a miniaturised integrated photonic chip (PIC), making it suitable for implementing scalable systems today and consuming less than 1 mW of power.

The company explained that current quantum processors only have hundreds of qubits, while future applications will require millions, comparing the challenge to classical computing decades ago, which required a more powerful network infrastructure to create powerful distributed systems within data centres and cloud computing.

“Just as the use of large classical monolithic computer systems phased out, the future of quantum does not lie in a single monolithic quantum computer,” the firm explained in its blog. “Scaled-out quantum data centers, where processors work together through specialized networking, will be the practical and achievable path forward,” it added.

The company also explained the vision for its new dedicated research lab in Santa Monica, California, which will be focused on creating quantum technologies and serving as a facility where researchers can experiment with quantum networking solutions.

The lab is also working to develop research prototypes of other critical components to complete its vision of the quantum network stack, including entanglement distribution protocols and a distributed quantum computing compiler.

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