New laboratory at Roadrunner Quantum Lab will expand U.S. device testing capabilities and support development of scalable silicon-based quantum processors.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Diraq, an Australia-founded quantum computing company, plans to establish a research and development laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico, expanding its U.S. operations and strengthening the state’s growing quantum technology ecosystem.
The company has signed a memorandum of understanding to establish operations at Roadrunner Quantum Lab (RQL), a shared facility developed through a partnership between Roadrunner Venture Studios and the New Mexico Technology and Innovation Office (TIO).
Expected to begin operations by the end of the year, Diraq’s laboratory will support quantum device testing, characterization and research using Maybell cryogenic equipment.
Albuquerque Laboratory to Add Quantum Engineering Capabilities
Diraq plans to establish a dedicated measurement engineering team in Albuquerque, adding specialized U.S. capabilities in quantum device testing and characterization. Additional growth is planned as operations scale.
The New Mexico laboratory will complement the company’s existing U.S. operations in Palo Alto, Chicago and Los Angeles, along with its research and engineering centers in Australia.
“Roadrunner Quantum Lab is focused on bringing quantum computing to market and their commitment to commercialization closely mirrors our own at Diraq,” said Andrew Dzurak, Diraq founder and CEO.
“We’re building quantum computing processors based on silicon because that’s the most economical and scalable way to reach the many millions of qubits that our customers will require. New Mexico’s investment in RQL demonstrates a strong commitment to building a world-class quantum ecosystem, and we’re excited to establish a team in Albuquerque that will help accelerate our progress toward utility-scale quantum computing.”
New Mexico Support Advances Quantum Research Infrastructure
The State of New Mexico is supporting Diraq’s expansion through its partnership with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (DARPA QBI).
The federal initiative aims to verify and validate utility-scale quantum computing. Diraq is currently a Stage B performerin the program.
State matching funds are helping develop equipment and infrastructure within New Mexico’s quantum ecosystem that will enable Diraq’s laboratory operations.
“Diraq’s decision to build here is more proof that New Mexico has the talent, the labs and the infrastructure quantum companies need to go from research to real-world scale,” said Nora Meyers Sackett, TIO director. “We’re proud to back this expansion and continue growing a quantum ecosystem that’s attracting the most cutting-edge companies in the world to New Mexico.”
Roadrunner Quantum Lab provides shared space for quantum startups, industry partners and national laboratories to accelerate technology development and commercialization.
Silicon Spin Qubits Offer a Path to Scalable Quantum Computing
Diraq is developing quantum computers using silicon spin qubits, manufactured through the same complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processes used to produce conventional computer chips.
By building on established semiconductor manufacturing methods, the company aims to develop quantum processors that can scale economically and operate within existing data center infrastructure.
Achieving scale remains a central challenge for the industry, with useful, utility-scale quantum computers expected to require millions of qubits.
Diraq’s development roadmap targets 150,000 physical qubits on a single chip by 2029 and more than 2 million by 2031. These targets support the broader goals of DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, which seeks to bring utility-scale quantum computing within reach by 2033.
Roadrunner Quantum Lab Expands Collaboration Opportunities
Diraq’s arrival will add measurement engineering expertise to Roadrunner Quantum Lab and create opportunities for collaboration across the facility.
“We’re excited to welcome Diraq to the Roadrunner Quantum Lab as the company expands its U.S. research and development capabilities,” said David Kistin, director of Roadrunner Quantum Lab. “Diraq’s measurement engineering team will add another technical dimension to the work taking place at RQL and create new opportunities for collaboration across the facility — supporting New Mexico’s continued growth as a center for quantum research and development.”
