SkyWater Launches Quantum Unit, Signs Qolab Manufacturing Deal
On September 8, SkyWater Technology announced the launch of SkyWater Quantum Solutions, a new business focused on semiconductor process development and manufacturing for quantum computing, networking, and sensing. Simultaneously, the company revealed a multi-year deal with startup Qolab, making them the first customer for its SC250 platform.
Details of SkyWater’s Announcement
According to the September 8 press release, the new unit integrates SkyWater’s existing superconducting and silicon-nitride photonics platforms, along with heterogeneous integration and advanced packaging capabilities. These services will be offered through the company’s “Technology-as-a-Service” model. The initial offerings include SC250, designed for cryogenic interconnect and control, and SP90, a low-loss silicon-nitride photonics line. SkyWater, a Minnesota-based foundry, is an accredited U.S. Defense Department Trusted supplier. It is now a subsidiary of IonQ, which agreed to acquire it as part of its strategy to build a vertically integrated quantum stack.
Dr. Mihir Bhaskar will lead the unit as Senior Vice President and General Manager. Bhaskar previously served as Senior Vice President of R&D at IonQ and co-founded Lightsynq Technologies, which IonQ acquired in 2025. SkyWater also noted that IonQ’s acquisition of Nexus Photonics contributes III-V-on-silicon integration for lasers, modulators, and photodetectors. These connections highlight a clear directional flow: Bhaskar joins from the parent company, and the enhanced capabilities stem from the parent’s other acquisitions.
Qolab Partnership: A Development Program
The second announcement confirmed Qolab, the superconducting company co-founded by 2025 physics Nobel laureate John Martinis, as the lead customer for the SC250 platform. This collaboration will combine SkyWater’s fabrication facilities in Minnesota with Qolab’s packaging and testing operations in Wisconsin. The stated objective is to transition Qolab’s Quantum System-in-Package (QSiP) from custom builds to repeatable wafer manufacturing.
The QSiP aims to integrate cryogenic wiring, low-pass filters, and amplifiers into a single compact package. Reducing the bulk of cryogenic control is a known challenge in scaling superconducting quantum systems, which makes this a relevant development target. SkyWater has committed to investing in superconducting tool upgrades to support this work.
Martinis emphasized the benefits in terms of cost and iteration speed:
“Combining SkyWater’s rapid, flexible development support with a repeatable commercial wafer services model gives us the manufacturing and cost visibility needed to iterate quickly toward commercial deployment.”
Specifics such as qubit count, wafer volume, contract value, or delivery dates were not disclosed. SkyWater described the framework as “first-of-its-kind” and claimed Qolab’s adoption “validates” its model. It’s important to note that what currently exists is a fabrication agreement and a set of platform offerings, not a deployed product.