Leading quantum computing company IonQ is acquiring Bloomington-based semiconductor foundry Skywater Technology in a $1.8 billion deal.
A Jan. 26 news release announcing the deal said this will create a “first-of-its-kind, vertically integrated quantum platform company” that is a “full quantum ecosystem” thanks to IonQ’s proprietary technology and architecture and SkyWater’s onshore research and development and manufacturing.
“This combination marks a pivotal moment in SkyWater’s evolution,” Thomas Sonderman, Skywater’s chief executive, said in a news release.
Skywater is the largest exclusively U.S.-based semiconductor-maker and has received millions in federal funding as the country strives to increase domestic manufacturing. East Asia, including China, dominates the industry that provides crucial technology in the automotive, aerospace and defense fields.
Semiconductors are in many personal and commercial devices, so there are national security concerns about using too many foreign-made semiconductors.
Combining with Maryland-based IonQ better ensures the capacity to build the next generation of advanced computer chips in the U.S., as IonQ now controls the process from chip design and engineering through manufacturing. Skywater also has facilities in Florida and Texas.
“This transformational acquisition enables IonQ to materially accelerate its quantum computing roadmap and secure its fully scalable supply chain domestically,” said Niccolo de Masi, IonQ’s chairman and chief executive, in a news release.
Quantum computing aims to use properties of advanced physics to greatly increase computing power and capabilities. The increased capabilities would allow users to tackle some of the biggest problems in pharmaceuticals, finance and cloud and enterprise computing. It can also apply to aerospace and defense.
