Infleqtion acquires two silicon photonics firms

Quantum information company Infleqtion has acquired two integrated silicon photonics companies: SiNoptiq and Morton Photonics. The acquisitions serve to expedite Infleqtion’s plans for chip-scale integration of lasers and atomic systems used for quantum sensing and computing, as well as to bolster its supply chain and manufacturing.

SiNoptiq is a developer of ultra-low loss photonic solutions based on silicon nitride. The company is headed by Dan Blumenthal, who will join Infleqtion as Chief Photonics Architect. Blumenthal will continue in his role as distinguished professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and director of the Terabit Optical Ethernet Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Morton Photonics specializes in advanced silicon photonics-based component and sub-system technologies for microwave photonics and sensing systems, and their application in governmental and commercial systems. The company also develops ultra-low noise semiconductor lasers, including discrete commercially available lasers and integrated silicon photonic lasers, which are being optimized for operation at quantum wavelengths. Morton Photonics CEO Paul Morton will join Infleqtion as vice president of photonics and general manager of the newly established Infleqtion Santa Barbara Research Center.

Earlier this month, Infleqtion announced the addition of Brent Schwarz, Vernon Prince, and Julie McGee to its executive team. Schwarz joined as senior vice president of business development, having previously served as vice president of business development at Luminar Technologies. Prince, who also joined from Luminar, serves as global vice president of manufacturing. Prince served as Luminar’fs senior director of advanced manufacturing. McGee, previously of Intel and Semtech, joined as chief marketing officer.