IonQ has opened the quantum innovation center established by the company at the University of Cambridge.

First announced in March 2026, the IonQ Quantum Innovation Centre will focus on innovations across quantum hardware, networking, sensing, and security, and support research programs, academic engagement, talent development initiatives, and industry-facing events.

Located at the Ray Dolby Centre, the new home of the University's Cavendish Laboratory, the center will house a 256-qubit IonQ Superion quantum computer and will support quantum innovation and research efforts across the UK.

This includes the co-development of new quantum network nodes and sensing capabilities with the university, and strengthening of the existing Cambridge-to-Bristol quantum network, IonQ said in a statement. Meanwhile, the on-campus IonQ quantum network will consist of two Quantum Networking Data Centers and three Quantum Networking Nodes.

As part of the collaboration, Innovate UK will provide access and computing time for the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) over three years.

First launched in September 2026, Superion 256 is IonQ’s sixth-generation quantum computer. It is the first system to contain a fully integrated 256-qubit quantum processing unit (QPU) fabricated by SkyWater – the chipmaker acquired by IonQ for $1.8 billion in January 2026.

"The center combines Cambridge's research strength with IonQ's networking, sensing, and security capabilities. It transforms into a facility where new quantum network nodes, sensing techniques, and the intellectual property behind them are developed side by side," said Jordan Shapiro, president, quantum platform at IonQ. “That work feeds directly into our platform roadmap, and it gives researchers, partners, and customers a stronger foundation to build on.”

Professor Mete Atatüre, head of the Cavendish Laboratory, added: “The official launch of the IonQ Quantum Innovation Centre is an exciting milestone in our partnership with IonQ, which will help Cambridge and the UK stay at the forefront of the quantum revolution. The announcement of the first round of the funded research projects celebrates the depth and breadth of expertise and talent at Cambridge, and will accelerate our impact in quantum science and engineering.”