System to support PsiQuantum’s Omega chips at 4 K for quantum computing scale-up.
Linde Engineering has signed an agreement with PsiQuantum to supply a large-scale cryogenic cooling plant for what is planned to be the world’s first utility-scale quantum computer. The installation, located in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, will enable PsiQuantum’s system of photonic qubits to operate at cryogenic temperatures necessary for reliable computation.
The facility will maintain operating temperatures of around 4 Kelvin (-269 °C, -452 °F), cooling PsiQuantum’s Omega chip-based cabinets. The infrastructure is among the largest cryogenic plants ever developed for a quantum computing application and represents a significant step in the commercialization of quantum systems. The deployment is also expected to boost Australia’s broader quantum ecosystem, including academic and industrial partnerships.
The plant will cool tens of thousands of photonic quantum chips, which, unlike matter-based qubits, operate at comparatively higher cryogenic temperatures. The chips will be housed in modular cabinets connected via standard optical fibers, forming a scalable computing architecture. Effective cooling is essential to prevent environmental interference and to maintain the coherence of qubits, a prerequisite for quantum performance.
Linde Engineering brings experience from more than 500 installed cryogenic systems, serving industries including semiconductor manufacturing, magnetic resonance imaging, particle accelerators, and fusion research.
“We are proud to help PsiQuantum realize their ambitious vision for quantum computing. This collaboration demonstrates how combined expertise can drive advancements in technology and innovation,” said John van der Velden, Senior Vice President Global Sales & Technology at Linde Engineering.
“Photons don’t feel heat the way matter-based qubits do. Our systems can run 100 times warmer – and we appreciate collaborating with a world-class firm like Linde Engineering to deliver industrial-scale systems with proven technology,” said Jeremy O’Brien, CEO and co-founder of PsiQuantum.
No financial terms were disclosed.
