Linde Engineering has signed an agreement with PsiQuantum to supply a large cryogenic cooling plant for what is set to become the world’s first utility-scale quantum computer, to be built in Brisbane, Queensland.
Announced on 8 May from Pullach, Germany, the project will see one of the largest cryogenic cooling facilities ever developed for quantum computing.
The plant is expected to support the operation of PsiQuantum’s new Omega photonic chips, which will be installed in cryogenic cabinets requiring extreme cooling, Linde said in a news release.
According to Linde, the facility will achieve temperatures in the 4 Kelvin range, equivalent to -269°C, or -452°F. This level of cooling is essential for maintaining the stability of qubits—the fundamental units of quantum computers—which are highly sensitive to heat and electromagnetic interference.
The cryogenic infrastructure will be critical to the performance of PsiQuantum’s system, which aims to solve complex problems far beyond the reach of classical computers.
Areas that stand to benefit from quantum computing include healthcare, energy, materials science, and data encryption.
Linde Engineering, which has delivered over 500 cryogenic plants worldwide, brings significant expertise to the project.
Its systems have previously supported high-tech sectors including semiconductors, magnetic resonance imaging, particle accelerators, and fusion research.
“We are proud to help PsiQuantum realize their ambitious vision for quantum computing,” said John van der Velden, Senior Vice President Global Sales & Technology at Linde Engineering.
“This collaboration demonstrates how combined expertise can drive advancements in technology and innovation. This technology will help design solutions to address some of the most pressing challenges faced by society today.”
PsiQuantum, which uses photons rather than matter-based qubits, said its systems can operate at relatively higher temperatures compared to other quantum technologies.
“Photons don’t feel heat the way matter-based qubits do. Our systems can run 100 times warmer – and we appreciate collaborating with a world-class firm like Linde Engineering to deliver industrial scale systems with proven technology,” said Jeremy O’Brien, CEO and co-founder of PsiQuantum.
“This is a fundamental scaling advantage and a key reason we are able to move rapidly toward utility-scale quantum computing,” he concluded.
