Startup ‘Quanfluence’ Making Waves in Quantum Computing
In the burgeoning realm of quantum computing, a Pune-based startup, Quanfluence, is carving a niche for itself, guided by the visionary co-founder, Sujoy Chakravarty. This company exemplifies the innovative spirit that seeks to challenge the status quo in tech advancement.
Quantum computing holds the promise of transformative capabilities that could redefine numerous aspects of contemporary life. While powerhouses like the United States, Germany, France, and Japan ramp up their quantum initiatives, tech giants such as Google and IBM are also in the fray.
Amidst this competitive landscape, the question arises: How does a nimble start-up like Quanfluence establish its foothold among industry titans?
It all begins with “cool-headed smart thinking,” as articulated by Chakravarty, one among a collective of six founders emerging from their initial venture, Silicon and Beyond.
“After divesting our shares in Silicon and Beyond, we sought new frontiers in physics. We quickly identified quantum computing as a domain poised for revolutionary change, necessitating our extensive research into the technology landscape. In 2021, Quanfluence was born,” Sujoy recounts.
Identifying Suitable Technologies
Prior to diving headlong into development, the trio embarked on a comprehensive exploration of quantum mechanics. “We immersed ourselves in existing methodologies, scrutinizing superconducting and ion trap techniques, and assessing the broader market landscape for unmet needs,” explained Sujoy. This period of rigorous analysis spanned six months.
Upon concluding their landscape assessment, they recognized a demand for a distinctly innovative approach capable of facilitating scalable quantum computing.
“Our investigation directed us toward photonics, which presents intrinsic benefits—room-temperature operation, telecom-grade components, and enhanced scalability,” he noted.
Deciding to establish their laboratory in Bengaluru, they formalized a collaboration with IISER and initiated their incubation within the IIT Madras Research Park.
“To substantiate our theoretical framework, we needed a laboratory capable of demonstrating our photonic approach. This involved installing a 300-kilogram optical table equipped with lasers, engineered with precision to mitigate even the slightest vibrations,” said Sujoy.
Every component of their setup was meticulously constructed from the ground up, encompassing both electronic and optical systems. They also conceived various semiconductor integrated circuits, designing a cleanroom for chip validation.
“Transporting the tables to our third-floor lab required craning them through the windows, and we imported one while fabricating another to our specifications,” he added.
Creating the Qubit
Opting for photonics as their pathway forward, Quanfluence distinguishes itself from existing quantum technologies, predominantly reliant on superconducting and ion trap systems, which grapple with profound scalability obstacles. These challenges include extreme cooling requirements and intricate control systems that hinder qubit connectivity.
Photonics utilizes the manipulation of light waves to engineer specific quantum states. The electric field quadrature manipulates photon behaviors, employing both continuous-variable and discrete-variable methodologies to establish qubits.
These qubits exist in superpositions of 0 and 1, interacting seamlessly with one another. The configuration of light at beam splitters determines the binary state—presence indicating a 1, and absence corresponding to a 0.
“Designing a qubit involves significant cooling down to merely 4 Kelvin, complicating matters. Thus, our focus transitioned toward engineering specialized dilation refrigerators, which presented additional scaling difficulties.
Conversely, the benefits of a photonic approach lie in its minimal cooling requirements, leveraging components from existing telecom infrastructures to streamline scalability,” he elaborated.
Advantages of the Photonic Chip Approach
Sujoy elucidated their expectation of success: “Our methodology is firmly rooted in robust physics and pragmatic engineering principles. Photonics has consistently showcased its scalability and low-noise capabilities in communication and sensing fields—attributes that seamlessly translate to quantum computing.”
“We harness continuous-variable optics, squeezed light, and integrated photonic circuits—technologies designed for enhanced connectivity, operational efficiency at room temperature, and robust scalability compared to cryogenic systems. Many fundamental elements of our photonic architecture are already validated in our laboratory,” he stated.
Collaboration with foundries in Europe and the United States has facilitated the development of crucial chips for their quantum computer. Presently, the startup has four photonic and two electronic chips primed for production, with ambitions to create fifty more within a two-year horizon.
Funding Utilization
In the challenging pursuit of building a quantum computer, substantial financial backing is vital. To date, they have secured $2 million through private funding and obtained over $1 million in government grants for specific circuitry projects.
Plans are in motion to raise an additional $15 million by 2026, primarily to yield their inaugural set of qubits by 2029.
“The journey of crafting a quantum computer is decidedly protracted. Since our inception in 2021, we have established a fully equipped optics lab in Bengaluru, complete with a cleanroom for chip design and testing. Thus far, we have filed nine patents and generated approximately $0.5 million in revenue,” Sujoy remarked.
Navigating Stiff Competition
The global quantum computing arena is fiercely competitive, with diverse technological trajectories simultaneously pursued. Entities like IBM, Google Quantum AI, and Rigetti dominate the superconducting landscape, yet they confront scalability limitations linked to extreme cooling and wiring complexities.
Conversely, trapped-ion competitors such as IonQ and Quantinuum deliver high-fidelity qubits but lag in gate speed and face scalability limitations with large ion assemblies.
In the photonics sector, competitors such as PsiQuantum, Xanadu, QuiX Quantum, and ORCA Computing each adopt varied strategies—ranging from integrated optics to discrete-variable qubits—all in pursuit of scalable solutions.
What sets Quanfluence apart is our capacity to operate the majority of our computers at room temperature, requiring only minimal cooling to around 4K, Sujoy clarified.
Future Aspirations
Looking forward, the startup intends to offer quantum computing as a service, acknowledging affordability constraints for many potential clients. Target sectors include pharmaceuticals, materials science, finance, and artificial intelligence.
Our technology is entirely homegrown, and while others aim for around 4,000 qubits, their scaling capacity struggles to meet the monumental demands of true quantum computing—approaching a million qubits or more.
We are optimistic that our methodology will facilitate the transition from 50 qubits to over a million, affirmed Sujoy.
The inaugural photonic qubits are anticipated to materialize by 2028-29. Sujoy stated, “We aim to scale up to hundreds of thousands of qubits, targeting 5,000 plus range by 2030-31.
Initial applications will focus on pharmaceuticals, materials, finance, and AI, with future expansions into security, defense, climate, and energy sectors.”
Funding Trajectory
Regarding financing, Sujoy shared insights on their origins: the initial phase of ‘bootstrapping’ the company was complemented by governmental support and subsequent private funding rounds from Pi Ventures, Golden Sparrow, and several angel investors.
“Our next funding initiative is set for 2026, aiming to secure $15 million to achieve our objective of 50 qubits by 2029,” he revealed.
With ambitious targets in their sights, Quanfluence and its founders prepare to embark on their impending quantum journey.
Source link: Hindustantimes.com.
