The Swabian high-tech company Trumpf is investing in new types of chips for quantum computers through a start-up.

These chips should be able to be built into normal mainframe computers that neither need special cooling nor a vibration-free room, as the deputy head of the Trumpf management, Peter Leibinger, said on Thursday in Ditzingen.

With this technology, the use of industrial quantum computers comes “a whole lot closer”.

Quantum computers can solve certain tasks much faster and more efficiently than classic computers - such as the evaluation and processing of data for telephony.

Leibinger cited research into molecules in the pharmaceutical industry and the sorting of postal parcels as examples.

These are highly specialized applications: "You shouldn't imagine that the quantum computer will replace the universal computer that we have today, from the iPhone in the car to the desk."

Q.ant should be ready in 5 years

The start-up Q.ant, which belongs to the family business Trumpf, wants to develop a fully functional quantum chip within five years at the latest, which will complement today's computers and make them more powerful.

Trumpf is investing an unspecified double-digit million amount.

Leibinger also praised the federal government's research program in this area.

In the global race for the technology of the future, Berlin released two billion euros for the development of quantum computers.

The aim is to build a competitive quantum computer “Made in Germany” within the next five years.

The start-up Q.ant, in turn, has developed a so-called photonics chip process, explained Trumpf.

This means that “highly special light channels can be applied to ordinary silicon chips”.

"With this method, today's established electronic mainframes can be expanded to include processors that work with the latest quantum technology."

Leibinger called the process a breakthrough.

But Trump is not alone, there are start-ups in the United States and Canada with a similar approach.

“We are willing to take risks, we are brave,” summarized Leibinger.

“The bet can be wrong,” he said, referring to the manufacturing process.

Quantum technologies must be promoted quickly.

This is the only way that Germany as an industrial location can use its potential internationally, Leibinger added.

We are in talks with strategic partners to ensure practical applications.

Q.ant plans to employ 120 people by the end of next year; around 20 people have been working there so far.

The production of chips is planned later at a Trumpf subsidiary in Ulm.