Japanese technology giant Fujitsu has announced the development of a prototype quantum computer built on diamond, marking a novel approach in the race to create larger and more powerful quantum computing systems. Unlike many existing platforms that rely on superconducting components, this new design harnesses the unique properties of diamond and light for information processing.
At the core of the system are tiny, controlled imperfections in diamond's crystal structure. Known as "color centers," these defects can function as qubits—the fundamental units of information in quantum computing. According to Fujitsu, using diamond may help preserve quantum information for longer periods and reduce errors, addressing one of the central challenges in developing practical quantum computers.
The prototype operates at minus 271.6 degrees Celsius. While still extremely cold, the company notes this temperature is slightly higher than typically required for superconducting quantum computers.
The system also incorporates photonic components—elements based on light. These could eventually enable connections between qubits or between separate computing units, making it possible to construct a large quantum computer from multiple modules.
The project is being developed in collaboration with Delft University of Technology and the QuTech quantum research institute in the Netherlands. Fujitsu has stated it plans to develop a multi-modular prototype by 2027, and subsequently explore integrating the diamond technology with the superconducting quantum computers it is also developing.
