Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and SystemsFraunhofer IMS drives forward SQale project | Reading time 3 min.
Kick-off for scalable ion trap quantum computer with over 200 qubits
Duisburg, February 18, 2026 – The Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS is playing a key role in the SQale project, which was launched on February 11, 2026. As an important subcontractor, IMS is working with Fraunhofer ISIT to develop integrated waveguide systems with active waveguide modulators, which are essential for the scalability of ion trap-based quantum computers and are being tested directly on neQxt's ion trap systems.
Led by neQxt GmbH and in cooperation with Forschungszentrum Jülich, SQale is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) with €18.4 million over four years. The project aims to achieve over 200 networked qubits with world-leading low error rates in order to validate NISQ (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum) algorithms and pave the way for error-corrected quantum computing.
IMS contribution: Photonic circuits as the backbone of quantum technology
At the kick-off meeting in Weiterstadt near Darmstadt, all partners presented their roles. IMS is developing integrated photonic solutions specifically for SQale that enable compact and precise control of light in quantum systems, thus driving scaling towards industrial applications.
Prof. Dr. Anna Lena Schall-Giesecke, Head of Technology at Fraunhofer IMS, emphasizes: “Integrated photonic circuits form the backbone of future quantum technologies. As a key technology for ion trap quantum computers, they enable precise light control in the smallest of spaces – and thus represent a decisive step towards scalable, industrially usable quantum processors. We are developing the tailor-made technology for this.”
neQxt coordinates the project and builds ion traps, hardware, and software, while Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) develops robust error correction algorithms. These are complemented by contributions from Cavity Technologies and the Ferdinand Braun Institute FBH on lasers and optical resonators.
Goal: quantum computing center and technological sovereignty
SQale lays the foundation for modular systems with thousands of qubits and a cloud-based quantum computing center in Germany. This strengthens digital sovereignty and enables applications in chemistry, materials research, and optimization that exceed the capabilities of classical computers.
Dr. Björn Lekitsch, CTO at neQxt and project manager: “SQale marks a leap forward in hardware development and lays the foundation for scaling and commercialization.” Prof. Dr. Markus Müller from FZ Jülich emphasizes the importance of basic research for fault-tolerant quantum computing.
Further information
https://www.quantensysteme.info/projektatlas/projekte/q/sqale – Profile of the SQale project
Project partners:
About neQxt
neQxt GmbH is a full-stack quantum computing company covering the entire spectrum from hardware manufacturing to software development. neQxt is a spin-off of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, which emerged from the Schmidt-Kaler working group. This allows the company to draw on decades of experience in the field of ion trap quantum computers. neQxt's product portfolio includes quantum computing simulators, portable quantum computer systems, cloud access to quantum computers, and enabling technologies.
About Forschungszentrum Jülich
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH is one of the largest interdisciplinary research institutions in Europe and a member of the Helmholtz Association. The Peter Grünberg Institute PGI-2, headed by Prof. Dr. Markus Müller, is engaged in theoretical research and development of concepts for scalable quantum information processing. The research group for theoretical quantum technologies focuses on the research and implementation of methods for quantum error correction and fault-tolerant quantum computing. This is often done in close collaboration with leading experimental teams working on various quantum hardware platforms, in particular with trapped ions, neutrons, and solid-state-based approaches such as superconducting qubits.
Subcontractor:
About Fraunhofer IMS
Fraunhofer IMS is shaping a safe and sustainable future with intelligent sensor systems. In state-of-the-art laboratories, more than 220 scientific staff and students are conducting research into innovative microelectronic solutions. As a reliable research and development partner, the institute implements customized sensor technology and electronics for applications in healthcare, industry, mobility, aerospace, and security and defense technologies.
Fraunhofer IMS brings together biomedical and optical sensors, photonic and integrated semiconductor technologies, and embedded and generative artificial intelligence. This portfolio is complemented by ASIC and mixed-signal designs, MEMS and ALD processes, and wafer-level and heterogeneous integration.
Fraunhofer IMS's solutions impress with their high level of integration, energy efficiency, and reliability, even under demanding conditions. They enable the transfer of semiconductor technologies and processes from the laboratory to pilot projects and on to industrial production (lab-to-fab).
https://www.ims.fraunhofer.de/
The Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon Technology (ISIT)
https://www.isit.fraunhofer.de/
The Ferdinand Braun Institute, Leibniz Institute for High Frequency Technology (FBH)
CAVITY technologies UG