Quandela Initiated South Korean Quantum Collaboration Plans
The French firm seeks local semiconductor partnerships to scale its photonic quantum computing technology.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Quantum Computing
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Quandela announced a strategic initiative to establish a quantum manufacturing consortium with South Korean semiconductor and AI firms. The move aims to accelerate the development of photonic quantum computing infrastructure.
Why it matters
Scaling photonic quantum systems requires high-precision semiconductor manufacturing capabilities that integrate photonic and electronic circuits. Collaborating with South Korean industrial partners offers the expertise needed to move toward mass production feasibility.
Future photonic quantum platforms will prioritize heterogeneous integration of circuits and single-photon sources. Systems currently rely on ultra-low-temperature platforms operating at 2-4 Kelvin.
The players
Quandela
This French company specializes in photonic quantum computing and the development of quantum processing units.
The details
Quandela plans to combine its own photonic QPU expertise and technology roadmap with local manufacturing and system integration capabilities. This integration effort aims to advance fault-tolerant quantum computing technology and its synergy with high-performance computing infrastructure.
Timeline
October 2025: Quandela deployed the photonic QPU Lucy at France's TGCC.
September 28, 2026: Quandela held a press briefing in Seoul.
Next two years: Quandela expects to identify strategic local partners for the consortium.
Roadmap
This move follows the successful 2025 deployment of the photonic QPU Lucy, signaling a transition from isolated laboratory deployments to integrated industrial manufacturing. By tapping into South Korea's mature semiconductor supply chain, Quandela is positioning itself to bridge the gap between niche hardware research and scalable quantum production.
The consortium could eventually lower barriers to accessing high-performance quantum computing resources for AI researchers and industrial developers. Success in these manufacturing efforts may determine the long-term cost and availability of photonic hardware modules for commercial enterprise use.
The takeaway
Developing a robust photonic quantum ecosystem requires deep integration between hardware designers and semiconductor foundries. Success hinges on creating standardized modules that allow complex photonic circuits to be manufactured with consistent precision.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Quantum Computing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 조선일보.
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