Quantum Computing Gets a Glass Makeover in Europe

Researchers from Italy, Germany, and France are collaborating on a groundbreaking project: developing a quantum computer that operates on glass-based photonic chips. Led by the Politecnico di Milano, the project aims to solve the challenges of practical quantum computing by harnessing the unique optical properties of glass.

The chips, developed by Italian company Ephos, use light (photons) to transmit and process information. They support up to 200 reconfigurable optical modes, allowing dynamic control of light paths with minimal interference. “We need materials that transmit light efficiently but don’t absorb it,” explains Giulia Acconcia, one of the project leaders. That’s why glass, with its low light absorption, is ideal.

From Light to Logic

The team is developing a system that generates individual photons and guides them through glass circuits. These chips may one day help scientists design better batteries, new medicines, and explore cosmic mysteries. Laser printing on glass enables the creation of precise optical circuits, while optical fibers deliver light particles into the chip with minimal loss.

German firm Pixel Photonics is building ultra-sensitive photon detectors, and Schott AG is producing high-quality glass substrates. Meanwhile, Acconcia’s team is developing advanced electronics to control the system.

The Road to 2026

By 2026, the goal is to create a working photonic quantum device at La Sapienza University in Rome. French teams from CNRS and the University of Montpellier are developing open-source software and energy storage models to support quantum applications.

The first task? Improving lithium-ion battery chemistry using variational quantum algorithms, which can simulate complex molecular interactions far beyond what silicon computers can handle today.