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Introducing Contralto-A: a QPU for quantum error correction

Company updates
Quantware and QuantrolOx partnership

February 25th, 2025 - Delft, The Netherlands

QuantWare, a global leader in quantum hardware scaling technologies, today revealed Contralto-A: a new Quantum Processor Unit (QPU) with complementary offering designed to meet the requirements of its customers wanting to scale their quantum error-correction capabilities.

Contralto-A features up to 17 transmon qubits with tunable couplers, making it almost twice as large as competing solutions that are commercially available. With this size, Contralto-A allows for distance-3 surface code implementations and comes with optional expert training and support from leading hardware and algorithm specialists, helping its customers create and achieve a competitive roadmap towards large scale quantum error-correction capabilities. Contralto-A is a first step on this roadmap and is specifically made to be easily upgradable to larger QPUs powered by QuantWare’s VIO platform.

Build systems capable of quantum error correction

Contralto-A is designed by quantum error-correction experts and is optimised for running  up to a distance-3 surface code. Featuring up to 17 flux-tunable transmon qubits and tunable couplers, the design incorporates advanced components such as tunable couplers and Purcell filters, to enable high-fidelity operations.

Training & support to master quantum error correction 

Contralto-A comes with optional training and support from QuantWare’s hardware and algorithm experts on both the usage of Contralto-A, as well as support in developing a roadmap towards large scale error correction capable systems scaling beyond Contralto-A. The Quantum Open Architecture compatibility grants its customers  hardware-level access at every layer of the stack, providing flexibility and control in quantum system design. It also allows for the integration of preferred or locally sourced components, enabling QuantWare’s customers to  configure their system to meet their unique requirements.

Cost-efficient scaling by upgrading  to larger devices powered by VIO

Contralto-A offers a cost-efficient upgrade path to QuantWare’s VIO-powered QPUs, ensuring a seamless progression on the customer’s roadmap.

“Our customers want to scale towards error corrected systems and create and achieve a competitive roadmap - and this need has been amplified following the recent announcements of the impressive results of Google’s Willow. With Contralto-A and our roadmap support, we provide our customers with a credible path towards a competitive roadmap and an immediate first step on that roadmap ” - Matthijs Rijlaarsdam, CEO and Co-founder of QuantWare

Contralto-A is currently available to Early Access partners and for pre-order with General Access later in the year. More information can be found here: https://www.quantware.com/product/contralto-a 

About QuantWare

QuantWare is the world’s leading provider of quantum hardware and creator of the VIO QPU scaling technology. Leading the Quantum Open Architecture paradigm, QuantWare powers the quantum computers of customers in 20 countries, spread over four continents. QuantWare’s VIO provides a scaling platform to any qubit design and unlocks the fastest path towards systems with more than 1 million qubits. Available in fully packaged QPUs and via Foundry and Packaging Services, VIO unlocks the fastest scaling roadmap for its customers.