Three companies – the Japanese giant Hamamatsu Photonics, its division NKT Photonics, and startup Yaqumo – have joined forces to create photon components critical for quantum computing in cold atoms. The relevant memorandum of cooperation was signed on 3 June at the Tokyo residence of the Ambassador of Denmark in the presence of representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. The document paves the way for joint research projects and the formation of an international supply chain for key equipment.

The specificity of quantum systems on neutral atoms requires high-precision photonic lasers that are responsible for cooling, trapping, and reading cubit states. The division of labour in the new alliance will be as follows: Hamamatsu will take over the development of ultra-sensitive photo detectors and imaging systems, NKT will focus on laser technologies and fiber optics, and Yaqumo will provide hardware implementation, relying on its scalable architecture using the atoms of itterbium.

This initiative can be seen as a practical follow-up to the intergovernmental agreement between Japan and Denmark on quantum technologies concluded in 2025. For Japan, this alliance will ensure a seamless supply of leading-edge optics to the domestic industry, while Denmark aims to establish itself as a global hub for high-tech equipment manufacturing. In parallel with this, the photon direction is rapidly developing on other sites: in May, Australian researchers announced the creation of a full-fledged photon chip, and in June the Dutch QuiX Quantum successfully integrated the Feed-Forward Control Unit for controlling photon quantum systems.