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Trapped IonEst. 2015College Park, Maryland

IonQ

IonQ

The first pure-play quantum IPO.

Trapped-ion pioneer whose ultra-clean qubits deliver record fidelity — and the first pure-play quantum company to IPO.

Qubits Made of Single Atoms

IonQ uses individual ytterbium ions — nature's own identical particles — as its qubits.

Led by Niccolo de Masi (CEO)

The Story

Timeline.

2015

Founded by University of Maryland and Duke researchers Chris Monroe and Jungsang Kim.

2018

Demonstrates the first 79-qubit trapped-ion register.

2020

Available through AWS Braket, Azure Quantum and Google Cloud simultaneously.

2021

Goes public via SPAC — the first pure-play quantum computing IPO.

2023

IonQ Forte hits #AQ 29, then #AQ 36 with software-hardware co-design.

2025

Announces Tempo system aimed at #AQ 64 and commercial advantage.

What makes them different

Key Facts

  • Uses individual ytterbium atoms as qubits — nature's own identical particles.
  • Operates at room temperature; no dilution refrigerator required.
  • Gate fidelities among the highest of any quantum platform.
  • Networked ion traps aim to scale by linking many small chips.

Real-world pilots

Quantum Uses Today

  • Quantum chemistry for Hyundai's battery materials research.
  • Financial risk modelling pilots with GE Research and Fidelity.
  • Government contracts including the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.

If they succeed

Potential Applications

  • Molecular simulation for pharmaceuticals and catalysts.
  • Quantum networking backbone using photon-mediated ion links.
  • Financial optimization and Monte-Carlo speedups.