Quantum computing firm D-Wave has entered into a multi-year manufacturing agreement with chipmaker SkyWater Technologies.

The deal extends an existing partnership between the two companies focused on the ongoing development and production of specialized chips that support D-Wave’s superconducting quantum roadmap.

The quantum firm said that, under the terms of the new agreement, it will continue working with the team at SkyWater’s Minnesota fab to provide “manufacturing continuity and access to specialized process expertise developed around its technology requirements.”

It added that both partners bring different strengths to the table, with D-Wave having superconducting engineering and quantum system and processor design knowledge, and SkyWater having the necessary manufacturing and materials understanding.

SkyWater has previously fabricated D-Wave’s Advantage2 processors at its Minnesotan facility. D-Wave first unveiled its Advantage2 quantum computer in 2022. It features more than 4,400 qubits and has been designed for quantum and hybrid quantum applications.

"Our team has developed deep process knowledge around D-Wave's highly specialized technology, demonstrating the value of close collaboration between quantum innovators and semiconductor manufacturers," said Thomas Sonderman, CEO of SkyWater Technology. "This agreement reinforces our commitment to providing D-Wave and customers across the quantum ecosystem with the unique process development and manufacturing capabilities they need to advance their technologies."

"Our work with the SkyWater team has played an important role in powering the past decade of D-Wave's superconducting quantum annealing technology," said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave. "This agreement provides continuity with an experienced manufacturing team and specialized process capabilities we know well as we build the next generations of our quantum systems."

SkyWater was founded in 2017 when private equity firm Oxbow Industries acquired Cypress Foundry Solutions, a former subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor. Based in Bloomington, Minnesota, the pure-play foundry manufactures chips for the quantum, defense, and aerospace industries. The company filed an initial public offering with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in March 2021.

The company was acquired by quantum computing firm IonQ for $1.8bn earlier this year.