Infleqtion and Partners Build Optical Cavity Prototype to Shrink Quantum Sensors

New prototype reduces footprint needed for laser stabilization, paving way for compact, fieldable quantum systems and chip scale manufacturing

LOUISVILLE, Colo., Oct. 6, 2026 — Infleqtion, in collaboration with Honeywell Aerospace and Distinguished Professor Daniel J. Blumenthal of UC Santa Barbara (UCSB), has announced development of a new integrated optical “cavity” that helps shrink quantum sensors down to handheld size. Fabricated on a silicon nitride chip at Honeywell Aerospace’s photonics foundry, the prototype reduces the space needed to keep lasers stable inside quantum systems. It is built using a manufacturing process common in the semiconductor industry, so it can be produced at scale across many existing commercial facilities.

“Quantum technology has incredible potential, but realizing that potential means making these systems smaller, more stable, and manufacturable at scale,” said Pranav Gokhale, CTO of Infleqtion. “This prototype is an important step toward that future and it’s a direct result of bringing together world-class academic research, cutting-edge fabrication capabilities, and deep quantum systems knowledge. We appreciate the exceptional partnership with Professor Blumenthal’s team at UCSB and Honeywell Aerospace’s fabrication expertise.”

An optical “cavity” is a piece of hardware that helps the lasers in quantum computers, clocks, and sensors perform better. It’s essential for ensuring the precision and reliability of quantum computers and sensors. Historically, these cavities have been large, fragile, tabletop instruments, limiting their ability to be deployed in the field and manufactured at scale.

The development of a prototype that can be manufactured at chip scale in commercial foundries paves the way for accelerated deployment in both new and existing applications. Near-term applications include quantum-enabled precision navigation and atomic timing for data centers and cell towers.

“The development of this new optical cavity opens the door to a world where quantum technology is more accessible than ever before,” said Dennis Assanis, Chancellor of UC Santa Barbara. “By working together, UC Santa Barbara, Infleqtion, and Honeywell Aerospace have combined their individual strengths to create a product that is poised to make a rapid impact on key industries across the globe. This is the power of collaboration in action.”

Collaboration Across Infleqtion, UCSB and Honeywell Aerospace Teams

Infleqtion’s engineering team and UCSB’s OCAQπ Group co-designed the prototype, then built it at the Honeywell Aerospace foundry, using Honeywell Aerospace’s state-of-the-art silicon nitride photonic integration processes developed over the past decade. Led by UCSB Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Daniel J. Blumenthal, the OCAQπ Group has spent more than a decade moving cold-atom quantum experiments from optical tables to chip scale. This collaboration is the latest example of the team bringing research into a commercial fabrication environment with a clear path to volume production.

“We’ve been working toward the miniaturization of quantum systems for years, and this prototype represents a meaningful step forward. The fact that it’s manufacturable at commercial foundries means this technology has a genuine path to widespread deployment, not just in quantum computers, but in clocks, sensors and other devices that could benefit people in everyday life. Collaborations like this one are exactly how fundamental science makes its way into the real world,” said Blumenthal.

This advantageous collaboration was facilitated by UCSB’s Office of Technology & Industry Alliances (TIA). TIA manages intellectual property developed through UCSB research and establishes relationships with industry partners, enabling collaboration and the development of world-changing technologies. TIA orchestrated the filing of over a dozen patent applications for the photonic technology that was the foundation of SiNoptiq, a photonic technology startup founded by Professor Blumenthal. SiNoptiq quickly became a leader in silicon photonics and was acquired by Infleqtion in 2024. The collaboration between UCSB, SiNoptiq, Infleqtion, and Honeywell Aerospace exemplifies TIA’s mission to build beneficial relationships between UCSB and industry leaders, driving technology transfer, startup formation, and innovation across diverse sectors.

Infleqtion, Inc. (NYSE: INFQ) is a global leader in quantum technology, delivering neutral atom solutions for quantum computing, networking, sensing, and security. With a product portfolio spanning quantum computers, quantum optical clocks, RF receivers, and inertial sensors, Infleqtion’s full-stack approach combines high-performance hardware with the company’s proprietary Superstaq quantum computing software platform. Infleqtion’s systems are already in use by the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, the U.K. government, and in multiple collaborations with NVIDIA. Infleqtion, in collaboration with NVIDIA, published the world’s first demonstration of a materials science application using logical qubits. With operations in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, Infleqtion meets the demands of government and commercial customers across the space, defense, energy, finance and telecommunications sectors.