Irish Photonics Education & Research Center Debuts: Week in Brief: 9/18/25
BERKELEY, Calif., Sept. 19, 2025 — Rigetti Computing, Inc., a hybrid quantum-classical computing company, earned a three-year $5.8 million contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory to advance superconducting quantum networking. Rigetti will collaborate with Dutch quantum technology startup, QphoX, on the project, which aims to deliver systems providing entanglement between superconducting qubits and optical photons. The companies demonstrated qubit-transducer systems working together to perform optical single-shot qubit readout, and next plan to combine superconducting microwave qubits developed by Rigetti with single-photon microwave-optical transducers developed by QphoX.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — IonQ signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop and deploy quantum technologies in space. The MOU provides a framework for quantum capabilities in orbit, quantum in space demonstrations in orbit — such as quantum sensing and mapping/deployed position, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems — as well as development and testing of quantum algorithms and quantum computing on satellites. IonQ additionally acquired optical PNT company Vector Atomic in a deal this week.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Relativity Networks, a developer of hollow core optical fiber technology, partnered with Network Planning Solutions (NPS), a fiber-optic installation company, to support commercial deployments of hollow-core fiber (HCF) infrastructure. NPS will be the first member of Relativity Networks’ trusted installation partner program, where the company will provide training on how to properly install its HCF technology. As part of the partnership, Relativity Networks and NPS have worked through hundreds of splices of Relativity Networks’ fiber, using methods such as rotational alignment and interferometer (interferometric) inspection of cleaves.
MAYNARD, Mass. — EFFECT Photonics, an optical communications company, renamed its U.S. subsidiary Arycs Technologies. The rebrand aimed to demonstrate market readiness, leadership alignment, and a mission to deliver power-efficient coherent optical systems. During this transition, Roberto Marcoccia will step into a dedicated role as CEO of Arycs Technologies, focusing exclusively on leading the U.S. business.
From left: Seamus Carroll, IDA Ireland; Orla Flynn, president, Atlantic Technological University; Nick Timmons, Atlantic Technological University, at the launch of the Semiconductor Photonics Education and Research Centre (SPEAR) Centre in Letterkenny, Ireland. Courtesy of Atlantic Technological University/Clive Wasson.
LETTERKENNY, Ireland — The Semiconductor Photonics Education and Research Centre (SPEAR Centre) launched at the Atlantic Technological University in Ireland. This project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a program managed by the Special EU Programs Body. The project will be led by the Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork and Seagate Technology, with a total investment of €8.46 million ($9.9M). SPEAR Centre aligns with the EU Chips Act and Ireland’s Smart Specialization Strategy, which aims to bring advanced technology capabilities into the regional economy and strengthen cross-border collaboration. SPEAR Centre will have three pillars: The first will train researchers in AI, photonics, and semiconductors; the second will support research and development across at least nine regional SMEs; and the third will focus on collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers while raising public awareness of the potential of advanced technologies.
BRUSSELS — The European Commission is investing €5 million ($5.8M) toward a photonics education and training network in European classrooms and laboratories. The initiative, called Phortify, short for photonics education network for next-gen innovation and digital skills excellence for industry and society, will give companies access to graduates and professionals trained on real tools, workflows, and challenges in photonics. Phortify will enable students and professionals to earn recognized credentials and access top labs, instructors, and digital resources anywhere in Europe. Phortify was coordinated by Vrije Universiteit Brussel and a dozen partners across Europe. The initiative is offering a shared photonics curriculum as electives within local master’s programs.
PALO ALTO, Calif. — Lidar solutions developer Hesai Technology expanded its production agreement with a U.S.-based robo-taxi company. The agreement is valued at more than $40 million and covers deliveries before the end of 2026. Hesai was selected as the only supplier to provide both long-range and short-range lidars, thus being chosen to power autonomous fleets.
LONDON — ORCA Computing announced that its quantum photonic processors will be integrated with NVIDIA accelerated computing and the NVIDIA CUDA-Q software platform. The collaboration stems from a demonstration that the partners delivered in collaboration with Imperial College London and the Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center. The effort also builds on ORCA’s broader hybrid quantum initiatives, including the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre system, which integrates NVIDIA GPUs inside a quantum computer.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Redwire Corporation, a space and defense technology company, announced its subsidiary, Edge Autonomy, was awarded a contract from an undisclosed European NATO country to deliver its Edge Autonomy Stalker Group 2 fixed-wing uncrewed aerial system (UAS) to perform long-range reconnaissance and intelligence gathering. The contract includes Stalker aircraft systems, a spares package, and training. The Edge Autonomy Stalker UAS allows operators to collect imagery and data in long-endurance missions and harsh conditions.
Teledyne FLIR Defense opened an office in the Crystal City area of Arlington, Va., minutes from the Pentagon. Courtesy of Teledyne FLIR.
WASHINGTON — Teledyne FLIR Defense opened an office in Arlington, Va. The facility, located near the Pentagon, will give visitors an opportunity to be hands-on with a wide range of FLIR Defense products.
SES partnered with Cailabs to test laser communication technology. Courtesy of Cailabs.
LUXEMBOURG — SES, a space solutions company, announced it will test optical ground stations built by France-based Cailabs. The ground stations, called TILBA-OGS L10, will enable SES to begin testing space-to-ground optical links ahead of integrating them into commercial services. Each station can handle two-way transmissions at 10 Gbps and can be operated remotely.
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Published: September 2025
RigettiQphoXIonQDepartment of EnergyRelativity NetworksNetwork Planning SolutionsEffect PhotonicsArycs TechnologiesSPEAR Centre ProjectHesai TechnologyORCA ComputingNvidiaRedwireTeledyne FLIR DefenseSESAmericasEurope