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Cisco Reveals Quantum Networking Chip and Opens New Lab in California

Cisco

Business Honor
07 May, 2025

New chip enables quantum communication; aims to link computers across great distances.

Cisco Systems has made a giant step into the future of technology by unveiling a new prototype chip that will link quantum computers. In addition to this, the company is also launching a new quantum research laboratory in Santa Monica, California.

This unique chip is designed to connect smaller quantum computers to create a more powerful and larger system. It employs some of the same technologies used in current network chips but is designed to interface with quantum systems. Curiously, Cisco thinks the chip might be applied even before quantum computers are widespread. It might assist with processes such as synchronizing clocks for financial transactions or meteorite detection.

“There are many potential applications," said Vijoy Pandey, a senior vice president at Cisco's Outshift innovation group. "We need to synchronize clocks and timing across the world.

Cisco joins other top tech firms such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Nvidia to pursue the creation of quantum technology. While the others pursue more "qubits," the building block of quantum computers, Cisco is working on linking them.

The chip was created with assistance from the University of California, Santa Barbara. It operates through a process known as quantum entanglement. That is, it can transmit a pair of entangled particles, or photons, to remote quantum computers. The computers can then utilize the photons to communicate instantly, regardless of distance – something Albert Einstein once referred to as "spooky action at a distance."

Pandey clarified that this chip is still a prototype and not ready to generate revenue yet. Still, he noted it is a crucial first step. "In order to build a quantum network, you have to have an entanglement chip," he said. "This is that first building block."