Quix Quantum, the Dutch provider of quantum computing with light, has strengthened its technical leadership. Dr Devin H Smith steps up as CTO to lead the technology direction and development of the company. He joined Quix Quantum in 2021 and was previously a senior quantum engineer leading the quantum science team.

Smith has extensive experience in quantum optics, quantum information processing, and integrated photonics. He obtained his BSc in engineering physics from Queen’s University, Canada, his MSc in quantum computing at the Institute for Quantum Computing, University of Waterloo, Canada, and his PhD from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems at the University of Queensland, Australia.

He has worked on integrated photonics as a postdoctoral fellow at the NTT Basic Research Laboratories in Japan, and as a research fellow at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), University of Southampton in the UK. Smith’s unique comprehension in both fields, quantum computing and integrated photonics, have allowed him to easily communicate across boundaries and between fields. His strong lead in the quantum science team is essential for the development of the technology vision.

Stepping into a new role as chief scientist

Jelmer Renema co-founded Quix Quantum and provided technology leadership in the creation of the business and the technology. He is also active in the broader quantum and photonics ecosystem in his role as assistant professor of quantum optics at the University of Twente in the Netherlands.

Renema gained his PhD from the University of Leiden, Netherlands in the quantum matter and optics group. Simultaneously, he was a junior research fellow at The Queen’s College, UK, and a postdoctoral researcher in the ultrafast quantum optics group led by Prof Ian Walmsley FRS at Oxford University, UK.

After obtaining a Veni Fellowship, he moved to the University of Twente in the Netherlands and co-founded Quix Quantum in 2019. As he steps away from technology leadership, he will focus on the scientific and research-related activities.

Dr Stefan Hengesbach, CEO of Quix Quantum says: “I am delighted that Devin has agreed to become our CTO with Jelmer as chief scientist to continue his technical guidance,” as he explains, “Both Devin and Jelmer have played key roles in winning the contract to build a universal quantum computer based on photonics for the German Aerospace Center. Continuing onto this goal, Devin will further develop our technology roadmap towards a quantum computer based on photonics which is fully integrated, industrial-grade, and based on our unique TriPleX waveguide technology.”

“Building a useful quantum computer has been a goal of mine for nearly twenty years,”, says Smith. “Our team will use our patented technology to turn that dream into reality.”