ARTEMIS: Advanced Research TEstbed Manipulating PhotonIc States

Aegiq is building a quantum computer that uses particles of light—photons—rather than electricity to perform calculations. This matters because quantum computers promise to solve problems that are impossible for even the most powerful classical computers. Current quantum computers, however, are fragile, error-prone, and difficult to scale. Aegiq’s approach uses hybrid semiconductor components to generate and manipulate single photons, a method that could make quantum systems more stable and easier to integrate with existing electronics. The company will develop and benchmark a range of novel subsystems, then assemble them into an on-premises quantum computing testbed at the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). If successful, this platform could accelerate progress in areas where quantum advantage is expected: drug discovery, materials design, cryptography, and complex optimisation problems in logistics and energy grids. This is an applied engineering project—it aims to build a working system, not to explore fundamental physics. The immediate impact will be a testbed that allows researchers and industry partners to run real quantum algorithms, moving the technology closer to practical use.