Photonic receives CAD $1 million grant for NORAD quantum tech

Photonic has been named a semi-finalist in the Canadian Department of National Defence's IDEaS NORAD Modernisation Science and Technology Contest and will receive an initial grant of CAD $1 million.

As part of the initiative, Photonic will advance its quantum repeater and networking technologies over the next year. The project is aimed at supporting Canada's NORAD modernisation plan and enhancing defence capabilities across North America in response to aerospace and maritime threats.

The IDEaS program is part of a broader Canadian effort to support research and innovation addressing the challenges of modern global defence and security environments. Since its launch in 2018, IDEaS has worked alongside Canadian innovators to deliver new research and technology solutions to the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.

The funding will support Photonic's plans to address existing limitations in quantum repeater design, which is considered a crucial component in achieving the performance levels required for next-generation quantum sensing and communication systems. 

According to Photonic, its technology uses what it calls the "Entanglement First" architecture, designed for distributed quantum computing and networking. The company aims to industrialise quantum technologies in Canada, enabling broader deployment across defence applications, communication infrastructure, and data centre environments.

"Photonic is developing highly scalable, modular quantum computers that can also act as repeaters capable of operating at telecom wavelengths, enabling fast, high-quality communication across long-distance quantum sensor networks. Benefiting from low-overhead error correction using QLDPC codes," stated the company in a release. These techniques are expected to enable easier integration of quantum networking technology with existing critical infrastructure, which is a component of Canada's defence modernisation efforts.

The project builds on Photonic's experience in developing scalable quantum computing and networking technologies. The company's approach includes the development of modular quantum computers that can act as repeaters and are compatible with existing telecommunications infrastructure, due to their capacity to operate at telecom wavelengths. This aims to facilitate the rapid and high-integrity transmission of information across extended quantum sensor networks.

"This selection highlights the networking capabilities of our innovative Entanglement FirstTM architecture for distributed quantum computing and networking. We look forward to advancing the industrialization of quantum technologies in Canada and helping to improve North American defence by enabling large-scale quantum deployment," said Dr. Stephanie Simmons, Co-Founder and Chief Quantum Officer at Photonic.

In June, the company announced the appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer, Kirsten Sutton, as well as an additional strategic advisor, the UK's former Chief Scientific Adviser for National Security, Alex van Someren.

Photonic employs a team of over 150 employees and has research and development operations in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The company is backed by investors and partners in the multinational technology sector.