AUSTRALIAN quantum technology company Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC) said it is aiming to deliver commercial-scale quantum computers by 2033 as it advances development of silicon-based quantum processors for enterprise and government applications.
The Sydney-based company, which has received AU$180 million in funding, said its technology is built on the ability to position individual phosphorus atoms within isotopically pure silicon with an accuracy of 0.13 nanometers. The company employs more than 100 people, including 85 engineers.
SQC said its quantum systems are designed for applications in telecommunications, finance, energy and government sectors, where organizations are exploring new ways to process complex computations, improve forecasting and strengthen analytical capabilities.
“Delivering a commercial-scale quantum computer requires the world’s most cutting-edge hardware and relationships with hardware providers. We are proud to be using AMD products, and we are on this journey together,” SQC founder and Chief Executive Officer Michelle Simmons said.
The company said its approach combines quantum processors with classical computing systems, enabling real-time system management, error correction and software development. To support those efforts, SQC uses AMD hardware platforms for qubit control, simulation and modeling workloads.
Quantum computing development requires extreme manufacturing precision. SQC engineers place and control individual atoms within silicon wafers to create qubits, the fundamental units of quantum information. The company said maintaining material purity is critical because imperfections can introduce noise that affects processor performance.
“We have our own manufacturing facility, allowing us to design and deliver new chips weekly. That’s a huge advantage over competitors and is essential for agility as we build our commercial muscle and prepare for broad scale adoption of quantum computing,” Simmons said.
SQC said it fabricates and tests hundreds of chip designs each year and regularly introduces hardware and firmware updates as it refines its quantum systems. The company also develops much of its software stack in-house, including tools that translate high-level instructions into quantum operations.
“By controlling every aspect — down to the analog pulses for qubit control — we maximize reliability and performance. The AMD platform lets us get instructions to the qubits at the speed quantum computing demands,” said Ramon Buckland, head of software at SQC.
According to the company, telecommunications operators are evaluating quantum systems to help assess network health and predict outages, while financial institutions are exploring applications in anti-money laundering analysis. Energy utilities are studying the technology for load balancing and demand forecasting, while governments view quantum computing as a potential strategic capability.
Simmons said quantum computing will work alongside conventional and artificial intelligence systems rather than replace them.
“Our customers are the biggest enterprises in the world, with extensive R&D budgets and a clear focus on frontier technologies,” she said. “Quantum, classical, and AI systems work alongside one another. Heterogeneous computing is the future.”
Founded in 2017, SQC said it plans to continue developing next-generation quantum computing platforms as it works toward its goal of commercial-scale systems by 2033.