IonQ Acquires Vector Atomic To Build Quantum Platform
With Vector Atomic, IonQ strengthens its full-stack solutions and quantum sensing leadership.
It was revealed today that IonQ will acquire Vector Atomic, a leading quantum sensor business. This all-stock purchase enhances IonQ's technology portfolio to become the most comprehensive quantum platform on the market, accelerating its quantum sensing entry. Acquisition of Vector Atomic's positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) expertise strengthens IonQ's quantum technology market leadership.
IonQ announced this after acquiring Oxford Ionics, a UK company, suggesting a clear and aggressive growth-by-acquisition plan. With cutting-edge networking, processing, and sensing, IonQ is becoming a quantum solution provider.
Strategy for Quantum Sensing
Outside of networking and quantum computing, the purchase is a major move for IonQ. Vector Atomic makes field-validated atomic clocks, gravimeters, inertial sensors, and synchronization devices. These practical technology have been tested in harsh land, sea, and space environments. IonQ may now enter the lucrative quantum sensing sector, especially in critical areas like telecommunications, national security, and defense.
The deal excited Vector Atomic CEO and co-founder Dr. Jamil Abo-Shaeer. He stated that joining IonQ increase the company's ability to scale technology, impact, and contribute to the world's most advanced quantum technology team. “It will accelerate quantum sensing commercialization and improve quantum computing and networking”.
Vector Atomic, a 2018 Pleasanton, California startup, has won over $200 million in United States government contracts for national security and governmental applications. Due to their accurate detection and reliable navigation that is immune to jamming and other cyber threats, some of the world's strictest security programs use PNT systems. Application examples include the U.S. Department of Defense's classified X-37B orbital test vehicle and military submarine detecting equipment contract.
Supporting IonQ's Talent and IP
The transaction brings all 76 Vector Atomic employees, who have considerable industrial, academic, and government experience, to IonQ. Jamil Abo-Shaeer, Martin Boyd, and Matthew Cashen founded Vector Atomic. By acquiring Vector Atomic's 29 issued and pending patents, IonQ's patent portfolio grows.
“This acquisition represents a significant acceleration and expansion opportunity for IonQ as it continues to lead the commercialization of quantum technologies,” said chairman and CEO Niccolo de Masi. He said Vector Atomic will help IonQ provide “scalable, commercial-grade quantum solutions for the customers today”.
Accelerating Quantum Dominance
This is IonQ's latest strategic acquisition to boost its expertise and IP. The company has invested in Qubitekk, Lightsynq Technologies, Capella Space, and ID Quantique in addition to Oxford Ionics. With each purchase, IonQ improved its leadership position by adding talent and technology.
After introducing IonQ Federal, IonQ has prioritized government, defense, and quantum networking applications, which strengthens its alignment with Vector Atomic. Tested sensing technologies will boost government client adoption of secure quantum-based navigation, timing, and communications.
The Vector Atomic method exploits atom stability for next-generation performance. Beyond GPS, its optical atomic clocks and synchronization hardware are designed for a picosecond-level global timing network, improving autonomous navigation, high-bandwidth communication networks, and precise Earth mapping. Its inertial sensors can detect even the smallest gravity anomalies, opening up resource exploitation, climate science, and GPS-denied navigation.
IonQ is proceeding with its ambitious technology roadmap to deliver a 2 million qubit computer by 2030. It will boost its full-stack quantum platform and accelerate quantum technology adoption across sectors by integrating Vector Atomic's sensing technology.
