IonQ will acquire SkyWater Technology for $1.8 billion to strengthen its quantum-chip manufacturing capabilities, SiliconANGLE reported on Jan. 26.
SkyWater was spun off in 2017 from a division of Cypress Semiconductor. It has focused on manufacturing cryogenic control electronics for quantum computers.
IonQ plans to use the acquisition to speed development of next-generation quantum chips. It plans to unveil a 200,000-qubit processor by 2028.
IonQ develops ion-based quantum processors. It has expanded its business, acquiring Oxford Ionics last year for $10.075 billion.
SkyWater is seen as cost-efficient because it produces quantum control chips using existing semiconductor manufacturing processes.
With the acquisition, IonQ plans to speed quantum hardware development and shorten wafer fabrication time. SkyWater said it will continue its chip manufacturing business for existing customers after the acquisition.
Chi-kyu Hwang (황치규)
delight@d-today.co.kr