Infleqtion, Honeywell develop chip-scale quantum optical cavity

Infleqtion (NYSE: INFQ), Honeywell Aerospace, and UC Santa Barbara announced the development of a miniaturized integrated optical cavity designed to stabilize lasers inside quantum systems, according to a press release from Infleqtion.

The prototype was fabricated on a silicon nitride chip at Honeywell Aerospace's photonics foundry. It uses semiconductor manufacturing processes, which the companies say allows it to be produced at scale across existing commercial facilities. The device reduces the physical footprint required for laser stabilization in quantum sensors, clocks, and computers.

Infleqtion's engineering team and UC Santa Barbara's OCAQπ Group, led by Distinguished Professor Daniel J. Blumenthal, co-designed the prototype. The collaboration follows Infleqtion's 2024 acquisition of SiNoptiq, a silicon photonics startup founded by Blumenthal that originated from UCSB research.

"This prototype is an important step toward that future and it's a direct result of bringing together world-class academic research, cutting-edge fabrication capabilities, and deep quantum systems knowledge," said Pranav Gokhale, CTO of Infleqtion.

The companies identified near-term applications including precision navigation systems and atomic timing for data centers and cell towers.

Blumenthal noted the prototype's path to commercial deployment: "The fact that it's manufacturable at commercial foundries means this technology has a genuine path to widespread deployment, not just in quantum computers, but in clocks, sensors and other devices."

UCSB's Office of Technology and Industry Alliances facilitated the collaboration and previously managed the filing of more than a dozen patent applications covering the photonic technology underlying SiNoptiq.

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