Welcome to another update on all things quantum computing. This time, we look at progress in photon capture, a new record for cat qubits, recognition for young researchers, Hitachi’s (HTHIY) new AI factory, and a collaboration between Comcast (CMCSA) and D-Wave (QBTS). Let’s go.
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Photon Collection Breakthrough
We start with research news. A team from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Humboldt University in Berlin has shown how to capture up to 80% of photons from diamond defects at room temperature. These defects, known as nitrogen vacancy centers, are a crucial component of many quantum designs, as they emit single photons that can carry quantum information.
In the past, most of this light scattered in random directions. The new method uses nanodiamonds set inside hybrid nanoantennas, made from layers of metal and dielectric material. By placing the diamonds with ultra-precise control, the team guided light in a straight path rather than losing it to scatter. Since the setup runs in a chip design at room temperature, it is easier to integrate into future quantum devices.
Alice & Bob Extend Cat Qubit Stability
Next, Alice & Bob, a private firm with labs in Paris and Boston, reported that its cat qubits can now hold stable states for more than one hour. The result marks a sharp improvement from the seven-minute record reached in 2024.
The team used its Galvanic Cat design, which also supports the Helium 2 chip. Tests showed bit-flip times between 33 and 60 minutes, and the qubits also passed a Z gate test with 94.2% fidelity. This step is important since bit-flip errors are one of the two key issues in quantum hardware. Alice & Bob say this method could cut hardware needs for fault-tolerant systems by up to 200 times. The next plan is to test two-qubit gates, such as the Controlled NOT.
Boeing Prize Highlights Young Researchers
In other news, the Boeing Quantum Creators Prize (BA) has named twelve early-career winners for 2025. The group includes work on error correction, quantum sensing, and quantum teaching methods. Each winner will receive $3,500 and present research at the Chicago Quantum Summit in November. The program, which began in 2021, aims to build a wider base of talent in the field.
Hitachi Builds Global AI Factory
Hitachi Ltd. has announced a global AI Factory built on Nvidia (NVDA) reference design. The project uses systems with Blackwell GPUs and RTX PRO 6000 units linked through Spectrum-X Ethernet. The aim is to create a shared platform for teams in the United States, EMEA, and Japan to build physical AI tools.
The AI Factory will allow Hitachi to speed up work in areas such as digital twins, asset control, and rail solutions. According to the firm, this aligns with its Lumada 3.0 plan to drive digital change across sectors. Nvidia says AI factories are key to turning enterprise data into useful action.
Comcast Starts Quantum Network Trials
Finally, Comcast has launched a quantum lab to test new ways to handle broadband traffic. The company is working with D-Wave Quantum and Classiq on early trials. The goal is to improve traffic flow and predict issues before they impact customers.
Comcast says network demand has grown fast, with live streaming rising about 25% each year and sports events are set to grow 40% in 2025. Online games now run more than 100 gigabytes per download, while AI use has tripled network traffic since May. The new trials build on years of network upgrades, including the move to virtual systems.
We used TipRanks’ Comparison Tool to line up some of the top quantum stocks alongside the tickers appearing in this piece. It’s an easy way to see how they compare and get a sense of where the space might be headed.
