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Technology hub: Trapped ions

Qubits stored in charged atoms held by electric fields in a vacuum and manipulated with lasers or microwaves.

Pillar
Quantum computing and simulation
Related codes
Axis in the faceted taxonomy
Physical platform: Trapped ions (draft — to be completed by the responsible team)
Validation
Proposed — not yet validated by an expert
Sources of the definition
2 sources

99 confirmed items. Including suggestions by rules or AI, not yet reviewed: 138. Suggestions are counted, not listed.

At a glance

Key items: EU and national projects

  1. Millenion-SGA1: Modular Industrial Large-scaLE quaNtum computing with trapped IONs, phase 1 CORDIS; EU contribution (maximum grant agreed) EUR 19,980,497.50
  2. AQTION: Advanced quantum computing with trapped ions CORDIS; EU contribution (maximum grant agreed) EUR 9,587,250
  3. MAGICAL: All-integrated on-chip ion trap towards fault-tolerant quantum computing CORDIS; EU contribution (maximum grant agreed) EUR 2,495,325

Key items: Organisations and companies

  1. Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften Organisation
  2. Johannes Gutenberg-Universitat Mainz Organisation
  3. Universidad Complutense de Madrid Organisation

The technology atlas and the full lists follow; every section is listed under “Sections of this hub page”.

Trapped ions is a technology family of Quantum computing and simulation, highlighted with its area and its parts tree subsystems; every node opens its page. Open the full taxonomy map

Overview

The technology atlas of Trapped ions: its value chain, the documented actors by role, facilities, funding, patents and publications, standards and policy measures on one page, each from a source the portal already publishes. Each section says whether these sources document the technology, show an evidence gap or hold nothing about it.

The atlas at a glance: state and number of records per section
SectionState in these sourcesRecords
Value chainDocumented in these sources15
Actors by roleDocumented in these sources44
Facilities and accessDocumented in these sources3
FundingDocumented in these sources7
Patents and publicationsDocumented in these sources2
StandardsDocumented in these sources13
Policy measuresDocumented in these sources6
Evidence gapsEvidence gap in these sources5
  • Documented in these sources: at least one record of these sources is about this technology.
  • Evidence gap in these sources: the parts tree names a stage, but no documented European actor is linked to it here. Evidence gap in these sources, not a finding of dependency.
  • No evidence found in these sources: No evidence found in these sources. It means only that these sources hold nothing on it.

Public layer: structure and documented actors only. Actor roles come from typed, dated relationships and are never inferred from shared projects or patents. Supplier assessments of the restricted dependency map are not shown on this public page. No technology readiness level is given.

External context: EPO Observatory: quantum technologies · EPO Deep Tech Finder

Value chain

The stages of this technology in the parts tree, a reference structure from review articles and EU law, with the European companies whose own product page names a product line for the stage or a part under it (the curated supplier directory).

Documented in these sources: 15 stages; 5 stages with an evidence gap.

Trapped ions

Value chain of Trapped ions: stages, materials and documented European actors
StageLevelPart ofMaterialsDocumented European actorsState
Ion trapSubsystemTrapped ionsDiamond Materials; FEMTOprint; Stahl-ElectronicsDocumented in these sources
Surface-electrode trap chipComponentIon trapEvidence gap in these sources Evidence gap in these sources, not a finding of dependency.
RF drive and electrode voltagesComponentIon trapStahl-ElectronicsDocumented in these sources
Atom source and photoionisationComponentIon trapCalcium; Ytterbium; Strontium (critical raw material); Beryllium (critical raw material); Magnesium (critical raw material); BariumEvidence gap in these sources Evidence gap in these sources, not a finding of dependency.
Ultra-high-vacuum systemSubsystemTrapped ionsEdwards Vacuum; kiutra; Leybold; Pfeiffer VacuumDocumented in these sources
Vacuum chamber with optical windowsComponentUltra-high-vacuum systemEvidence gap in these sources Evidence gap in these sources, not a finding of dependency.
Cryogenic trap environmentComponentUltra-high-vacuum systemkiutraDocumented in these sources
Laser and optical controlSubsystemTrapped ionsAA Opto-Electronic; Gooch & Housego; Hamamatsu Photonics A/S (formerly NKT Photonics); Novacene Photonics; Schäfter+Kirchhoff; TOPTICA Photonics; VEXLUMDocumented in these sources
Lasers at the atomic transition wavelengthsComponentLaser and optical controlHamamatsu Photonics A/S (formerly NKT Photonics); Novacene Photonics; TOPTICA Photonics; VEXLUMDocumented in these sources
Acousto-optic modulatorsComponentLaser and optical controlAA Opto-Electronic; Gooch & Housego; Schäfter+KirchhoffDocumented in these sources
Integrated light deliveryComponentLaser and optical controlEvidence gap in these sources Evidence gap in these sources, not a finding of dependency.
State detectionSubsystemTrapped ionsAndor; LASER COMPONENTS; Single QuantumDocumented in these sources
Collection opticsComponentState detectionEvidence gap in these sources Evidence gap in these sources, not a finding of dependency.
Photomultipliers, cameras and avalanche photodiodesComponentState detectionAndor; LASER COMPONENTSDocumented in these sources
Superconducting nanowire detectorsComponentState detectionSingle QuantumDocumented in these sources

Parts tree of Trapped ions · Suppliers of Trapped ions in the supplier directory

Supply-chain parts and critical raw materials

From the parts tree: a reference structure of what each technology needs, down to materials, compiled from public review articles and EU law. It is not a supplier assessment.

Critical raw materials as listed in Annex II of the Critical Raw Materials Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1252).

Actors by role

Organisations with a documented relationship to this technology: a product line on the company’s own product page, the host or programme the infrastructure catalogue names for a facility, or the operator of an access route. Each row names its source and the date it was read. Roles are never inferred from taking part in the same project or patent.

Roles and their documented actors
RoleActorsStateWhere
Manufacturer or supplier of a part17Documented in these sources17 organisations in the table below.
Host, operator or access provider4Documented in these sources4 organisations in the table below.
Funder or programme3Documented in these sources3 organisations in the table below.
Researcher or developer18Documented in these sourcesOrganisations confirmed under this technology by the classification; listed in “Organisations and companies” below. Participants in EU-funded projects are counted per pillar in technology intelligence.
User0No evidence found in these sourcesThese sources record no user of this technology.
Documented actors of Trapped ions by role
OrganisationRoleCountryRelationshipStagesSource and date read
AA Opto-ElectronicManufacturer or supplier of a partFRModulators & Fixed Frequency Shifters (acousto-optic modulators for qubit control)Acousto-optic modulatorsSource (read 2026-10-26)
AndorManufacturer or supplier of a partGBiXon Ultra Blue 888 EMCCD (EMCCD camera for ion trap quantum computing research)Photomultipliers, cameras and avalanche photodiodesSource (read 2026-10-26)
Diamond MaterialsManufacturer or supplier of a partDEIon Traps for Quantum Technologies (diamond-based ion traps)Ion trapSource (read 2026-10-26)
Edwards VacuumManufacturer or supplier of a partGBHyTan NEG-Ion pumps and Gamma Vacuum NEG pumps (combined getter and ion pumps for ultra-high vacuum)Ultra-high-vacuum systemSource (read 2026-10-26) Partly verified: the page does not state the quantum use.
FEMTOprintManufacturer or supplier of a partCHIon traps (contract manufacturing of three-dimensional glass ion traps (Paul, Penning and wheel traps))Ion trapSource (read 2026-10-30)
Gooch & HousegoManufacturer or supplier of a partGBAODF 4085 and Fiber-Q (acousto-optic deflectors and fibre-coupled acousto-optic modulators for quantum computing)Acousto-optic modulatorsSource (read 2026-10-26)
Hamamatsu Photonics A/S (formerly NKT Photonics)Manufacturer or supplier of a partDKKoheras (single-frequency fibre lasers and amplifiers for atom trapping, cooling and quantum information)Lasers at the atomic transition wavelengthsSource (read 2026-10-26)
kiutraManufacturer or supplier of a partDET-Type Optical (4 K optical cryostat for trapped-ion quantum computing)Cryogenic trap environmentSource (read 2026-10-26)
LASER COMPONENTSManufacturer or supplier of a partDECOUNT (silicon APD single-photon counting modules)Photomultipliers, cameras and avalanche photodiodesSource (read 2026-10-26)
LeyboldManufacturer or supplier of a partDEECODRY plus, TURBOVAC i/iX and TURBOLAB (low-vibration backing pumps, turbomolecular pumps and pumping stations for quantum labs)Ultra-high-vacuum systemSource (read 2026-10-26)
Novacene PhotonicsManufacturer or supplier of a partGBSolsTiS (narrow-linewidth tunable CW Ti:sapphire laser)Lasers at the atomic transition wavelengthsSource (read 2026-10-26) Partly verified: the page does not state the quantum use.
Pfeiffer VacuumManufacturer or supplier of a partDEHiCube Neo and turbopump packages (turbomolecular pumping stations for research)Ultra-high-vacuum systemSource (read 2026-10-26) Partly verified: the page does not state the quantum use.
Schäfter+KirchhoffManufacturer or supplier of a partDEIntegrated AOM systems (fibre-coupled single- and double-pass acousto-optic modulator units, listed among its fibre optics for quantum)Acousto-optic modulatorsSource (read 2026-10-30)
Single QuantumManufacturer or supplier of a partNLSingle Quantum Eos (compact superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) systems)Superconducting nanowire detectorsSource (read 2026-10-26)
Stahl-ElectronicsManufacturer or supplier of a partDEHF-DR (RF trapping-field generator for Paul ion traps)RF drive and electrode voltagesSource (read 2026-10-30)
TOPTICA PhotonicsManufacturer or supplier of a partDEDL pro (tunable external-cavity diode lasers for cooling and controlling atoms and ions)Lasers at the atomic transition wavelengthsSource (read 2026-10-26)
VEXLUMManufacturer or supplier of a partFIVALO (single-frequency VECSELs, direct and frequency-doubled)Lasers at the atomic transition wavelengthsSource (read 2026-10-26) Partly verified: the page does not state the quantum use.
VEXLUMManufacturer or supplier of a partFIVXL (compact single-frequency VECSEL laser system for trapped-ion and neutral-atom quantum computers)Lasers at the atomic transition wavelengthsSource (read 2026-10-26)
Coordinated by Silicon Austria Labs (SAL); 21 participantsHost, operator or access providerEUHosts CHAMP-IONSource (read 2026-10-21)
EuroHPC Joint UndertakingHost, operator or access providerAccess route to Piast-Q: EuroHPC JU quantum access in pilot modeSource
Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ)Host, operator or access providerAccess route to LRZ Quantum Integration Centre (QIC): LRZ quantum computing service and consultingSource
Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ)Host, operator or access providerDEHosts LRZ Quantum Integration Centre (QIC)Source (read 2026-10-21)
Poznań Supercomputing and Networking Center (PCSS)Host, operator or access providerPLHosts Piast-QSource (read 2026-10-19)
Chips JU pilot linesFunder or programmeProgramme of CHAMP-IONSource (read 2026-10-21)
EuroHPC JUFunder or programmeProgramme of Piast-QSource (read 2026-10-19)
National programme or platformFunder or programmeProgramme of LRZ Quantum Integration Centre (QIC)Source (read 2026-10-21)

Supplier capability directory

Organisations and companies

18 confirmed items. Including suggestions by rules or AI, not yet reviewed and not listed here: 25.

  1. Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften Organisation
  2. Johannes Gutenberg-Universitat Mainz Organisation
  3. Universidad Complutense de Madrid Organisation
  4. Universitaet Siegen Organisation
  5. Eleqtron GMBH Organisation Company brief for investors: Eleqtron GMBH

See all 18: Organisations and companies · Companies of Trapped ions in the investor screener

Facilities and access

Facilities of this technology in the infrastructure catalogue, the furthest milestone the deployment tracker evidences for each, and the current access routes that open them.

Documented in these sources: 3 facilities.

Facilities of Trapped ions, their deployment milestone and access routes
FacilityKindCountryHostStatusFurthest evidenced milestoneAccess routes
Piast-QQuantum computerPolandPoznań Supercomputing and Networking Center (PCSS)Inaugurated, per the EuroHPC JUAccepting access applicationsEuroHPC JU quantum access in pilot mode
CHAMP-IONPilot line networkEU-wide or cross-borderCoordinated by Silicon Austria Labs (SAL); 21 participantsProjectNot in the deployment trackerNo current access route recorded
LRZ Quantum Integration Centre (QIC)Quantum computing user platformGermanyLeibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ)In operation, per the sourceNot in the deployment trackerLRZ quantum computing service and consulting

Infrastructure catalogue · Deployment tracker · How to get access

Infrastructure and deployment status

4 confirmed items.

  1. CHAMP-ION Infrastructure catalogue; EU-wide or cross-border; Project
  2. LRZ Quantum Integration Centre (QIC) Infrastructure catalogue; Germany; In operation, per the source
  3. Piast-Q Infrastructure catalogue; Poland; Inaugurated, per the EuroHPC JU
  4. Piast-Q (procured as EuroQCS-Poland) Deployment tracker; furthest evidenced milestone: Accepting access applications; technical status: Inaugurated; production operation not confirmed by the source (as of 23 June 2025)

Catalogue entries with this technology

Funding

Upcoming work-programme topics in this technology (the EU programme pipeline) and the funding instruments whose stated quantum relevance names it. The awards of its EU-funded projects and the announced funding rounds follow below.

Upcoming topics in the programme pipeline

Documented in these sources: 2 upcoming topics (pipeline read 2026-11-01).

  • Quantum Experimental Pilot Lines for Quantum Technologies EuroHPC Joint Undertaking; deadline 2026-11-17
  • Trapped-Ion Platform Technologies EuroHPC Joint Undertaking; deadline 2026-11-17

Pipeline topics of Trapped ions

Funding instruments

Funding instruments that name Trapped ions
InstrumentProgrammeStated quantum relevanceWhy it is shown
EIC AcceleratorHorizon Europe: European Innovation CouncilThe EIC Work Programme 2026 states that the Accelerator Open call remains available to start-ups and SMEs, including for quantum technologies, with specific safeguards on investments in quantum.Names its pillar, Quantum computing and simulation
EIC STEP Scale UpHorizon Europe: European Innovation Council, Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP)Quantum technologies are among the digital and deep-tech priority areas, and the EIC Work Programme 2026 says support for quantum start-ups will be pursued in particular through this call.Names its pillar, Quantum computing and simulation
EuroHPC JU quantum technology calls (Quantum Flagship)Horizon Europe: Quantum Flagship, implemented by the EuroHPC JUSince Council Regulation (EU) 2026/150 entered into force on 20 January 2026, the JU implements the Union's quantum technology agenda, including the Quantum Flagship funded through Horizon Europe, and its 2026 calls cover quantum computing platforms, QKD, testing infrastructure, pilot lines, sensing, machine learning and standards.Names its pillar, Quantum computing and simulation
Chips JU quantum actions (Chips for Europe Initiative)Chips for Europe Initiative: Horizon Europe and Digital Europe ProgrammeThe Chips for Europe Initiative includes dedicated quantum actions: building capacity for quantum chips, design libraries, dedicated pilots and testing facilities, from superconducting circuits to photonic, neutral-atom and ion-trap chips.Names this technology
QuantERA joint transnational callsQuantERA: network of national research funders with European Commission co-fundingQuantERA is a network of research funders for quantum technologies, and Call 2025 covered quantum phenomena and resources and applied quantum science across communication, computing, simulation, sensing and metrology.Names its pillar, Quantum computing and simulation

6 more instruments are open to any field of research and are not listed here.

Funding instruments registry

EU and national projects

72 confirmed items. Including suggestions by rules or AI, not yet reviewed and not listed here: 87.

Awards of the confirmed projects: EU programmes, one line per measure and currency
MeasureTotalProjects with an amountProjects without one
EU contribution (maximum grant agreed)EUR 41,079,900.97120
Total cost (includes the award)EUR 38,293,207.34100
Awards of the confirmed projects: National programmes, one line per measure and currency
MeasureTotalProjects with an amountProjects without one
award value (Gateway to Research)GBP 12,973,375100
NWO award amountEUR 4,518,33290
approved FWF fundingEUR 3,750,14870
ANR aid allocatedEUR 258,422.4010
funded amountSEK 2,100,00010
award value (Gateway to Research)0019
current total commitment001
funded amount0011

Each project counts once. A total adds the amount each source states for its projects within one measure and one currency only: EU contributions, national awards and other measures are never added together. Total cost includes the award and is shown separately. A country filter keeps whole projects with a participant in the country, so its total is not the country's share. Programme envelopes, partner shares, co-funding and payments are separate layers and are never added to awards; payments are not published by the sources used. Outputs are linked only through an explicit project or grant identifier or reviewed documentary evidence, never by name alone; only a reviewed document can show a demonstrated contribution. CORDIS and Funding & Tenders amounts are one measure, the EU contribution (maximum grant agreed in the grant agreement, not payments). Country codes EL and UK are read as GR (Greece) and GB (United Kingdom). National and regional rows whose title names no quantum technology are left out unless asked for. EU and national totals are shown apart and never added.

Includes projects from the ANR open data: ANR, data.gouv.fr, ODbL 1.0; those rows are shared alike under the Open Database Licence.

1 confirmed project page has no award record and is not in the totals.

  1. Millenion-SGA1: Modular Industrial Large-scaLE quaNtum computing with trapped IONs, phase 1 CORDIS; EU contribution (maximum grant agreed) EUR 19,980,497.50
  2. AQTION: Advanced quantum computing with trapped ions CORDIS; EU contribution (maximum grant agreed) EUR 9,587,250
  3. MAGICAL: All-integrated on-chip ion trap towards fault-tolerant quantum computing CORDIS; EU contribution (maximum grant agreed) EUR 2,495,325
  4. MicroQC: Microwave driven ion trap quantum computing CORDIS; EU contribution (maximum grant agreed) EUR 2,363,343.75
  5. IONPEN: Trapped-ion quantum information in 2-dimensional Penning trap arrays CORDIS; EU contribution (maximum grant agreed) EUR 1,999,375

See all 72: EU and national projects

Patents and publications

Patent counts come from EPO Open Patent Services in technology intelligence, by CPC group, and per EPO quantum concept in the technology intelligence reports; publications by OpenAlex topic. The patent series of this node and its documents follow below.

Documented in these sources: 2 indicator pages of this technology.

Patent landscape of Quantum computing and simulation in technology intelligence · Research output of Trapped ions in the platform comparison · All technology intelligence reports

Patents

No patent series for this node. Its CPC groups (G06N 10/40) are counted in the series of Quantum computing and simulation, together with other families.

Patent landscape of the pillar Quantum computing and simulation in technology intelligence

Standards

Standards, specifications, committees and roadmaps of the standards tracker in the scope of this technology, each with its body and status.

Documented in these sources: 13 tracked items.

Standards tracker items in the scope of Trapped ions
IdentifierTitleKindStatus
CEN/CLC/TR 18202:2025Layer model of Quantum ComputingTechnical reportPublished
EAS 18433:2026Quantum Computing - High-Level Programming LanguageSpecificationPublished
EAS 18434:2026Quantum Computing - Roadmap for Post-Processing Software in SpaceSpecificationPublished
EAS 18435-1:2026Quantum Computing - Hardware Abstraction Layer - Part 1: Descriptions and functional requirementsSpecificationPublished
prEN 18470 (WI JT022006)Quantum technologies - quantum computing - Hybridization of High-Performance Computing and Quantum ComputingWork item or projectIn development
prCEN/CLC/TR 18437 (WI JT022005)Performance benchmarks of quantum computing applicationsWork item or projectIn development
prCEN/CLC/TS 18438-1 (WI JT022007)Quantum Technologies - Quantum Computing - Cryogenic Solid State Gate-Based Quantum Computing - Part 1: Functional RequirementsWork item or projectIn development
ISO/IEC 4879:2024Information technology — Quantum computing — VocabularyStandardPublished
IEEE P7131Standard for Quantum Computing Performance Metrics & Performance BenchmarkingWork item or projectWithdrawn
IEEE P3155Standard for Programmable Quantum SimulatorWork item or projectWithdrawn
IEEE P3120Standard for Quantum Computing ArchitectureWork item or projectWithdrawn
IEEE P3185Standard for Hybrid Quantum-Classical ComputingWork item or projectWithdrawn
IEEE P3329Standard for Quantum Computing Energy EfficiencyWork item or projectIn development

9 tracked items are about quantum technologies in general.

Standards tracker, filtered to this scope

Policy measures

Actions of the Quantum Europe Strategy (COM(2025) 363) that name this technology or its pillar, or that link one of its facilities, with their status in the strategy tracker.

Documented in these sources: 6 actions.

Strategy actions about Trapped ions
ActionStatusTargetWhy it is shownWhere in the strategy
Publish an EU Quantum Computing and Simulation RoadmapAnnounced2026Names its pillar, Quantum computing and simulationSection 2.2.1, text and action list (p. 7); Appendix, Area 2 (p. 23)
Expand the EuroHPC quantum computersIn progress (evidence)2026 onwardsNames its pillar, Quantum computing and simulationSection 2.2.1, action list (p. 7); Appendix, Area 2 (p. 23)
Set up a monitoring framework for quantum computingAnnounced2026Names its pillar, Quantum computing and simulationSection 2.2.1, action list (p. 7); Appendix, Area 2 (p. 23)
About 100 error-corrected qubits per systemAnnouncedBy 2030Names its pillar, Quantum computing and simulationSection 2.2.1, text after Table 1 (p. 6)
Thousands of error-corrected qubits per platformAnnouncedBy 2035Names its pillar, Quantum computing and simulationSection 2.2.1, text after Table 1 (p. 6)
Establish six quantum pilot lines under the Chips Joint UndertakingDelivered (evidence)2025Links a facility of this technologySection 2.3.1 (p. 12) and action list (p. 15); Appendix, Area 3 (p. 23)

Strategy implementation tracker

Evidence gaps

Stages of the value chain for which these sources link no documented European actor. Evidence gap in these sources, not a finding of dependency. A company may well supply the stage without a product page the directory has read; a missing record is never proof of a strategic dependency.

Evidence gap in these sources: 5 stages. Evidence gap in these sources, not a finding of dependency.

Evidence gaps of Trapped ions in these sources
StageLevelPart ofPlatformReading
Surface-electrode trap chipComponentIon trapTrapped ionsEvidence gap in these sources, not a finding of dependency.
Atom source and photoionisationComponentIon trapTrapped ionsEvidence gap in these sources, not a finding of dependency.
Vacuum chamber with optical windowsComponentUltra-high-vacuum systemTrapped ionsEvidence gap in these sources, not a finding of dependency.
Integrated light deliveryComponentLaser and optical controlTrapped ionsEvidence gap in these sources, not a finding of dependency.
Collection opticsComponentState detectionTrapped ionsEvidence gap in these sources, not a finding of dependency.

Know a European supplier for one of these stages? Tell the editors

News and events

5 confirmed items. Including suggestions by rules or AI, not yet reviewed and not listed here: 12.

  1. New monolithic ion trap opens quantum simulations to more researchers News
  2. Ignacio Cirac: Newton Medal winner looks to the future of quantum technology News
  3. Gluon string breaking is simulated using trapped ions News
  4. Spin-off developing “conductors” for quantum computers News
  5. Atomic memory keeps distant ions entangled for about 10 seconds News

JRC and EU analysis

Reports and pages of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). Identifiers are those of the JRC Publications Repository; the portal does not reproduce their data.

Further reading

  • Understanding Quantum Technologies 2025 (Olivier Ezratty, 8th edition, version 8.1 of 30 October 2025, arXiv:2111.15352 (v6), doi:10.48550/arXiv.2111.15352, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)See Part 2: Computing hardware; Part 3: Computing software
  • Understanding Quantum Technologies 2026 (Olivier Ezratty, 9th edition, version 9.0 of 17 October 2026 (latest edition))See Part 2: Computing hardware; Part 3: Computing software

Olivier Ezratty, Understanding Quantum Technologies (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). Links only; no text of the book is reproduced on this portal.