Infleqtion, a global leader in neutral atom-based quantum technology, has announced a strategic partnership with Silicon Light Machines (SLM), a Silicon Valley innovator in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). This collaboration aims to integrate SLM’s Displacement Phase Modulator (DPM™) technology into Infleqtion’s neutral atom quantum computing platforms, enabling faster, more scalable, and more powerful quantum systems. The announcement follows Infleqtion’s recent plans to go public through a merger with Churchill Capital Corp X (NASDAQ: CCCX), further signaling the company’s growth trajectory and leadership in the quantum technology space.
Pioneering MEMS Integration for Quantum Performance
At the heart of this partnership is SLM’s silicon-germanium (SiGe) MEMS technology, which combines non-contact piston phase modulators with CMOS drivers to deliver exceptional speed and reliability. This integration provides rapid phase modulation capabilities, crucial for high-performance quantum applications such as individual qubit addressing, optical multiplexing, and laser beam steering—all essential for the next generation of scalable quantum processors.
“Integrated photonics are central to Infleqtion’s strategy for advancing neutral atom systems and commercializing quantum technologies,” said Paul Morton, CTO of Photonics at Infleqtion. “Our future quantum products will leverage advanced photonic integrated circuits (PICs) to enhance miniaturization, cost-efficiency, and ruggedness. The SLM DPM™ device represents a breakthrough for scalable atom addressing and will play a key role in our quantum computing roadmap.”
Redefining Neutral Atom Quantum Architecture
Infleqtion’s neutral atom quantum computers utilize laser-based optical tweezers to trap and manipulate thousands of individual atoms. This approach enables high-speed and high-fidelity quantum operations across large-scale qubit arrays. The company’s architecture also supports dual-species atomic arrays, allowing mid-circuit measurements and efficient error correction—two foundational requirements for achieving fault-tolerant quantum computing.
By integrating SLM’s DPM™ technology, Infleqtion expects to significantly increase system performance and operation speed, addressing one of the key challenges in quantum scaling.
“Infleqtion leads the field in scaling neutral atom quantum systems,” said Thomas Noel, Vice President of Quantum Computing at Infleqtion. “We’re exploring how the precision and speed enabled by Silicon Light Machines’ DPM™ can accelerate that leadership—helping us enhance the operating performance of our hardware and reduce application runtimes for our customers.”
Accelerating Scalable Quantum Hardware
The collaboration between Infleqtion and SLM marks a strategic milestone in the development of next-generation photonic subsystems essential for large-scale, practical quantum computing. Fast, reliable phase modulation lies at the core of efficient qubit control, and the introduction of MEMS-based DPM™ devices could allow for more compact, energy-efficient, and cost-effective optical control architectures.
The partnership aligns with Infleqtion’s broader goal of creating commercially viable quantum systems capable of supporting applications in optimization, simulation, machine learning, and national security. The company’s focus on neutral atom technologies offers unique advantages in scalability, coherence, and system stability—factors critical to the race for quantum advantage.
Industry Perspectives and Future Impact
For Silicon Light Machines, the partnership represents an opportunity to apply its MEMS innovations to one of the most demanding fields in modern computing. “Quantum computing is transitioning from theoretical to transformational,” said Lars Eng, CEO of Silicon Light Machines. “Our DPM™ technology delivers the precision and speed needed to meet the scalability challenges of neutral atom systems. We’re proud to collaborate with Infleqtion to help bring quantum technology into real-world applications.”
The combination of Infleqtion’s expertise in atomic control systems and SLM’s cutting-edge MEMS phase modulation technology creates a strong foundation for advancing the speed, reliability, and manufacturability of future quantum systems. As quantum computing moves closer to commercialization, innovations like this partnership will be key to enabling faster problem-solving, greater data throughput, and expanded real-world use cases across industries such as pharmaceuticals, finance, logistics, and materials science.
By combining optical engineering, MEMS innovation, and quantum system design, Infleqtion and Silicon Light Machines are pushing the boundaries of what is technically possible in neutral atom quantum computing—laying the groundwork for scalable, fault-tolerant, and commercially deployable quantum systems.
