Toronto's photonic approach to quantum computing is rewriting the rules of light-based processing

Science · Published 20 October 2026 · Updated 21 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Quantum computing is often associated with supercooled circuits, but one Canadian firm is betting on light. By leveraging squeezed states of light rather than traditional single photons, Xanadu is building modular, scalable systems. Their recent breakthroughs in photonic networking suggest a path toward fault-tolerant machines that operate at room temperature.

Founded in 2016 by Christian Weedbrook, Toronto-based Xanadu Quantum Technologies has emerged as a significant player in the quantum landscape. Unlike competitors relying on superconducting qubits, Xanadu focuses on photonic hardware. Their methodology centers on Gaussian boson sampling, a sophisticated technique that utilizes squeezed states of light to perform complex calculations. This approach allows for the development of cloud-accessible quantum computers, supported by a robust ecosystem of open-source software designed for machine learning and photonic simulation.

The company's technical trajectory reached a notable milestone in June 2022. By utilizing optical fiber loops and multiplexing, they achieved a reconfigurable system that surpassed the performance of earlier experiments conducted by major research institutions and tech giants. During this demonstration, the team successfully detected between 125 and 219 photons across 216 squeezed modes, reporting a performance advantage of 50 million times over prior benchmarks. This achievement validated the potential of their unique hardware architecture.

Looking toward the future, Xanadu is addressing the critical challenge of scalability. In January 2025, the company published research in Nature detailing a modular networking strategy for photonic quantum processors. This architecture is designed to integrate multiple processors, which is essential for improving error correction and building larger, more reliable systems. With over US$245 million in funding from diverse venture capital firms and government innovation grants, the company continues to refine its blueprint for fault-tolerant quantum computing, moving beyond experimental proofs of concept toward practical, scalable infrastructure.

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