IonQ IONQ recently crossed a key milestone for memory-enhanced quantum interconnects. The company achieved entanglement rates exceeding 1,000 events per second (1 kHz) between a trapped ion qubit and a solid-state quantum memory. A technical paper presented results from real-world hardware testing of an end-to-end link between a trapped ion system and a silicon vacancy (SiV) qubit, building on IonQ’s SiV quantum memory platform. The demonstration used a photonic interconnect and recorded a rate more than four times the previous record for trapped-ion systems.
Entanglement allows separate quantum systems to work together and is essential for networking quantum computers. IonQ’s approach combines the strong qubit coherence of trapped-ion qubits with the solid-state quantum memory, which has very high-efficiency coupling to light. The latest achievement addresses a key bottleneck in quantum interconnect while advancing the company’s efforts to build networked quantum data centers, where connected computing and memory systems could help quantum technology scale.
IonQ’s quantum memory and interconnect approach supports its work under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (“DARPA”) HARQ program, which seeks to develop high-speed quantum interconnects compatible with multiple computing qubit types. Although the latest demonstration used trapped ion systems, the underlying architecture could be adapted with multiple qubit approaches, including neutral atoms and superconducting systems with transducers that convert microwave signals into light.
IonQ’s memory and interconnect platform is also ramping up commercially. The company announced its first commercial sale to the University of Maryland in April, followed by a second system sale to Korea-based quantum technology and software company SDT, Inc. in September.
Latest Developments Among IONQ’s Peers
IBM IBM introduced IBM Ready for SAP Solutions to help midsize and fast-growing organizations speed up cloud ERP modernization, unify enterprise data and develop an AI-ready digital core. The offering combines the company’s industry expertise, fit-to-standard delivery and its AI-powered IBM Consulting Advantage consulting delivery platform. Volumetric Building Companies and Second Nature Brands are among the clients using the solution to support growth and future AI initiatives. IBM has been selected for Stage C, the third phase of the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative led by DARPA.
Infleqtion INFQ, in collaboration with Honeywell Aerospace and a distinguished UC Santa Barbara professor, announced development of a new integrated optical cavity that helps shrink quantum sensors down to handheld size. Fabricated on a silicon nitride chip at Honeywell Aerospace’s photonics foundry, the prototype reduces the space needed to keep lasers stable inside quantum systems. It uses a manufacturing process widely adopted in the semiconductor industry, allowing production to scale across many existing commercial facilities.
The Zacks Rundown for IONQ Stock
Over the past six months, IonQ shares have rallied 34% compared with the industry’s 108.2% growth.
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IONQ is trading at a forward, five-year price-to-sales (P/S) of 20.38X compared with 4.60X industry average.
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Analysts’ estimates for IonQ’s 2026 and 2027 loss per share have seen mixed revisions in recent months, as shown below.
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IONQ stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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