QuantWare unveils Contralto‑A, a QPU designed for quantum error correction experiments
27 Feb, 2025 – QuantWare has introduced Contralto‑A, a new superconducting quantum processing unit aimed specifically at advancing practical quantum error correction (QEC) development. Announced in Delft, The Netherlands, the processor is positioned for teams working on surface-code style QEC demonstrations and early fault‑tolerance roadmaps.
According to the company, Contralto‑A includes up to 17 transmon qubits and tunable couplers, and is optimized to run up to a distance‑3 surface code – a commonly used early benchmark for QEC workflows. The design also incorporates additional hardware elements such as Purcell filters intended to support high‑fidelity operations, reflecting a focus on the practical engineering requirements of repeated stabilizer measurements and error‑syndrome extraction.
Beyond the QPU itself, QuantWare is bundling optional training and expert support spanning both hardware usage and help in building a step‑by‑step roadmap toward larger QEC‑capable systems. The company also emphasizes compatibility with its Quantum Open Architecture, aiming to give customers hardware‑level access across the stack and flexibility to integrate preferred (or locally sourced) components as they assemble complete systems around the processor.
Contralto‑A is being presented as an on‑ramp to larger devices: QuantWare says the platform is designed to be upgradeable to bigger processors powered by its VIO scaling technology. In a statement, CEO and co‑founder Matthijs Rijlaarsdam pointed to rising urgency around error correction – citing renewed attention following recent results related to Google’s “Willow” – and framed Contralto‑A as an immediate “first step” for customers aiming to scale toward error‑corrected systems.
The company says Contralto‑A is available now to Early Access partners, with pre‑orders open and broader availability planned later this year.
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