UbiQD details quantum light-source project funded by July state award

LOS ALAMOS - UbiQD said Oct. 28 that it is using a $200,000 state quantum grant to build a light source that emits single photons, one at a time on demand, directly into fiber optic cable, according to a company release. The award itself is not new: the state Economic Development Department announced it July 14, among $1.2 million given to six companies.

The company says such light sources are a key part of light-based quantum computers and secure quantum communication networks. The grant pays for optical equipment and prototype devices at UbiQD's Los Alamos headquarters, where the team will measure how reliably its quantum dots produce single photons and refine the materials to meet industry targets, the release says. The work builds on a 2024-2025 partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory.

UbiQD also laid out its patent strategy. It owns or exclusively licenses 17 granted U.S. patents and 23 granted international patents, with 27 applications pending, according to the release.

Under the state program, each winner must keep operations in New Mexico for at least two years after the grant period, the department said in July.