Critical Need for this Technology
There is a universal bottleneck in quantum information systems: the synchronization of single photons. Virtually every architecture for quantum computing and quantum networking depends on photons arriving at exactly the right place and time. Quantum Memories can facilitate this synchronization by efficiently storing photons until they are needed, yet today’s options for storing photons are limited. Fiber-based delay lines can only offer fixed timing, while atomic and solid-state memories often suffer from high losses and narrow operating conditions that restrict their usability. This leaves a major gap for developers who need versatile, low-loss solutions that integrate seamlessly with photonic platforms.
Photon Queue’s quantum memories directly address this gap by leveraging the high-performance capabilities of bulk free-space optics, enabling broadband and highly efficient photon storage. This combination of performance and flexibility makes them uniquely suited to accelerate development in both near-term and long-term quantum technologies.
Supplemental Need for this Technology
Many classical and quantum applications, including spectroscopy and interferometry, require precise optical delays in compact, user-friendly formats. Existing solutions often fall short in flexibility or performance. By developing high-performance optical delay lines for quantum systems, we also enable broader adoption in underserved markets needing advanced photonic control.
Competition
Competitors can broadly be classified as matter-based memory companies – these are devices that convert photons into atomic or solid-state excitations for storage. While powerful in niche settings, they often suffer from narrow operating conditions, wavelength restrictions, low efficiency, and high operating costs. In contrast, Photon Queue’s free-space reflection cells store photons directly, maintaining compatibility across a wide range of wavelengths with lower insertion loss, simpler operation, and lower operational overhead. This enables more practical, flexible, and scalable deployment in photonic quantum computing and networking architectures.
Potential Markets
Photon Queue’s technology addresses markets where precise, low-loss storage or delay of light is critical. The largest near-term opportunity is photonic quantum computing, where synchronizing single photons is essential. Our memories offer higher efficiency and broader wavelength compatibility than existing options, making them attractive as drop-in solutions or replacements for alternative storage technologies. Our products are also well-suited to the emerging quantum networking market, which aims to connect and entangle distinct quantum systems. As the field matures, virtually every quantum computing modality will depend on networking to create larger-scale systems.
Delaying and synchronizing light is a core component of many classical applications as well. Reflection cells are widely used today in absorption spectroscopy, where users study the chemical composition of gases. The reflection cells we use have distinct advantages over the current industry standard, where we can offer stronger interactions with a smaller device footprint. There is also applicability in interferometry, where efficient optical delays are essential.
Key Innovation
Photon Queue’s key innovation is the storage of light in free-space storage loops and reflection cells.
Team Overview
Nathan Arnold, Co-Founder and CEO, core technology expert
Kelsey Ortiz, Co-Founder and Head of Design, deployable quantum optical systems expert
Colin Lualdi, Co-Founder and Head of Architecture, photon synchronization and routing experiments expert
Kai Shinbrough, Co-Founder and Head of Science, quantum networking protocols and matter-based memories expert
R&D Status
Photon Queue’s technology has been demonstrated in the lab setting, and we have built and deployed commercial devices for end-users. Our research efforts focus on improving long-term stability, decreasing size and cost of components, and increasing the efficiency of long-duration photon storage.
Technology Profile
Status: Seed
Primary industry: Quantum computing
Category (i.e. tech keywords): Quantum Memory
Estimated annual revenue: $300k
Employs: 4
R&D commercial collaborator: Quantum computing companies
We are Looking For:
Mentoring: yes
Funding: yes
Commercial partnerships: yes
Customer identification: yes
