QDrive Quantum Memory Arrives in Slovakia
Last week, the long-awaited QDrive quantum memory developed by the French company Welinq arrived at the laboratories of the Institute of Physics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. As the first commercially available system of its kind, QDrive represents a significant milestone on the path toward scalable quantum communication and computing networks.
The system was acquired within the skQCI – Slovak Quantum Communication Infrastructure project, where it will serve as a key technology for research and the future deployment of quantum networks. With this step, Slovakia has become one of the first countries in Europe to integrate a commercial quantum memory into its research and technological infrastructure.
What is QDrive?
A quantum memory enables the temporary storage of quantum information, such as the state of a single photon, and its retrieval on demand. This capability is essential for synchronizing events in quantum networks and overcoming the distance limitations of optical fibers. Without quantum memories, the construction of large-scale quantum communication networks would be practically impossible.
QDrive is based on laser-cooled neutral rubidium atoms and achieves more than 90% efficiency in storing and retrieving the quantum state of a photon. The system is integrated into a standard 19-inch rack format and operates at room temperature, eliminating the need for complex cryogenic infrastructure. These features make it a practical technology ready for deployment beyond laboratory environments.
The acquisition of QDrive represents not only a technological achievement for the skQCI project, but also the beginning of collaboration with a company supported by leading figures in the quantum community, including Alain Aspect, recipient of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics, Artur Ekert, a pioneer of quantum cryptography, Kae Nemoto, an expert in quantum computing architectures, and Peter Zoller, one of the most highly cited theorists in quantum information science.
Visit of the Welinq Team
The delivery and commissioning of QDrive was accompanied by a visit from Tommaso Mazzoni, Engineering and Integration Lead at Welinq, together with his team. During their stay, they successfully completed the installation and configuration of the system and carried out its initial testing. The device is performing as expected and opens new opportunities for experiments focused on quantum networking, entanglement distribution, and future quantum repeaters.
In addition to installing the system, the Welinq team provided training for our researchers and shared their broader vision of quantum networks and distributed quantum computing. During his talk, QDrive – A Highly Efficient On-Demand Quantum Memory, held on June 18 at the QUTE Pavilion, Tommaso explained why quantum memories will play a fundamental role in connecting future quantum processors into larger computational systems. He also presented Welinq’s technological approach to interconnecting quantum processors, distributing entanglement, and laying the foundations for future quantum data centers.
Discussing the Future of Quantum Technologies
The lecture provided an opportunity for discussion among students, researchers, and quantum technology experts from both the Institute of Physics SAS and other institutions. Participants gained insights into the practical challenges of developing quantum networks, the current state of quantum memory technology, and the process of transforming research prototypes into commercial products ready for real-world applications.
The successful deployment of the QDrive system marks an important step not only for the skQCI project but also for the advancement of quantum technologies in Slovakia. Through this milestone, Slovakia has joined the first users of this new generation of quantum memories and is among the first countries to test and integrate this technology into emerging quantum communication networks. At the same time, it demonstrates the growing connection between academic research and the European quantum industry—a partnership that will be essential for strategically building the next generation of secure communication and computing infrastructures.
Photoreport:
