quantum technologies

Quantum computing startup Oratomic has reached a $5.4 billion valuation following a Series-B funding round, according to a Wall Street Journal exclusive. The deal marks one of the largest recent valuations in the quantum computing sector, underscoring growing investor appetite for quantum technology despite the field's long path to commercial applications.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced a new quantum fabrication facility at New York University, described as a first-of-its-kind partnership that gives the city a financial stake in the emerging quantum industry. The announcement, made jointly with NYU, positions New York as a competitor in quantum technology manufacturing. Details on the scale of the city's investment and job projections were not included in the initial statements.

Spanish technology group Indra has acquired a stake in Qilimanjaro, a quantum computing company, in a move aimed at accelerating the practical application of quantum physics in physics and robotics. The investment signals Indra's intention to strengthen its position in emerging quantum technologies and their industrial uses.

India is framing its space and quantum technology programmes as parts of a single strategic ambition, moving beyond demonstrating individual capabilities toward coordinated national strategy. Commentary highlights how the convergence of satellites, secure quantum communication, and defence applications could shape India's standing among global technology powers, and how policy must now catch up with technical progress.

SEALSQ is presenting its quantum-resistant semiconductor chips at the Electronica trade fair in Munich, one of the world's largest electronics industry events. The company, which specialises in secure semiconductors, is showcasing chips designed to withstand attacks from future quantum computers. The display highlights growing industry focus on post-quantum cryptography as organisations prepare for quantum-era security threats.

The European Commission and the Quantum Internet Alliance have held discussions on the future of quantum technology in Europe. The talks reportedly focused on developing quantum internet capabilities and the continent's broader quantum roadmap. The alliance, which unites research groups and industry partners across Europe, has been pushing for sustained investment in quantum networking infrastructure and research.

Photonics company Silotron has received an $11 million contract to develop OCT-based quantum eye technology, according to a report in Photonics Spectra. The award covers work combining optical coherence tomography with quantum approaches for eye imaging. Details on the contracting party, timeline and intended applications have not yet been disclosed.

Researchers report that ultrashort laser pulses can induce ordered states in a quantum ferroelectric metal, a rare material combining metallic conductivity with ferroelectric behavior. By striking the material with femtosecond light pulses, scientists say they can control its internal structure on extremely fast timescales. The finding is being discussed as a step toward light-based control of quantum materials and potential future technologies.

Researchers report surpassing what was considered a fundamental speed limit in superconductors, a long-standing bound on how quickly superconducting currents can respond or change. The result challenges established theoretical assumptions and could influence future work on ultrafast electronics and quantum technologies. Details of the experiments and their implications are still being digested by the physics community.