Cepheus-1-36Q
Cepheus-1-36Q from Rigetti Computing: A Development in 36-qubit Multi-Chip Quantum Computing.
The broad release of Cepheus-1-36Q, a 36-qubit multi-chip quantum computer, marks a major milestone for Rigetti Computing, led by CEO Dr. Subodh Kulkarni. This cutting-edge system was introduced on August 14, 2025, and is currently available through the Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services (QCS) platform. Microsoft Azure is where it will eventually be deployed. Cepheus 1 36Q’s launch highlights Rigetti’s advancements in quantum hardware development, demonstrating notable performance gains and confirming its creative architectural strategy.
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Pioneering Architecture and Performance Benchmarks
The core of Cepheus-1-36Q is the proprietary chiplet-based architecture developed by Rigetti Company. The foundation for more intricate systems like Cepheus-1-36Q was laid in 2021 when Rigetti achieved entanglement over interchiplet boundaries, demonstrating this modular design for the first time. The chiplet technique is essential for overcoming the difficulties in scaling quantum systems while carefully preserving their performance attributes. Since Cepheus-1-36Q has the most chiplets incorporated into a single quantum computer at the moment, Rigetti has successfully deployed the system, validating its modular design. High-quality quantum processor require better control over production yield and chip uniformity, which this design makes possible.
An important advancement is shown by Cepheus-1-36Q’s performance. Compared to its predecessor, the Ankaa-3 system, it shows a two-fold decrease in the two-qubit gate error rate. Cepheus-1-36Q has achieved a median two-qubit gate fidelity of 99%, which is significant. Cepheus-1-36Q is the first multi-chip quantum computer to achieve this performance standard, marking a significant industry milestone. The system uses improved intermodule coupler architecture and speedier two-qubit gates to achieve this degree of fidelity and lower coherence errors.
The Power of Superconducting Qubits
The technology behind Rigetti is based on superconducting qubits. Because of their scalability and gate speeds which Rigetti claims they surpass by a factor of 1,000 the company views them as superior to other modalities, including ion traps and pure atoms. This dedication to superconducting qubits highlights the capital-intensive nature of this area of the quantum computing business by requiring a large investment in specialized tools, supplies, and knowledge.
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Strategic Vision and Future Roadmaps
Cepheus-1-36Q’s creation and effective implementation are essential phases in Rigetti’s technology roadmap. “Quadrupling our chiplet count and significantly decreasing error rates is the clear path towards quantum advantage and fault tolerance,” CEO Subodh Kulkarni stressed. The company’s confidence in its future ambitions is supported by this accomplishment.
Rigetti has high goals for the future and expects to deploy a chiplet-based system with more than 100 qubits by the end of 2025. The desired median two-qubit gate fidelity of 99.5% is significantly higher for this upcoming technology. By utilizing well-established semiconductor technologies, such chiplets, Rigetti is able to approach the scaling of quantum systems in a practical manner while preserving crucial performance attributes.
Financial Stability Supporting Innovation
With Cepheus-1-36Q in particular, the quantum hardware breakthroughs are supported by Rigetti’s strong financial standing. The company reported having about $571.6 million in cash, cash equivalents, and available-for-sale investments as of June 30, 2025. A $350 million stock raise that was finished in the second quarter of 2025 greatly enhanced this solid liquidity.
Importantly, Rigetti claims to have no debt, which gives them a lot of leeway to make investments in essential technology. In addition to accelerating the development of more complex processors like Cepheus-1-36Q and the planned 100+ qubit system, this capital infusion is strategically aimed at supporting the commercial scale-up of Rigetti’s superconducting gate-based quantum computers and opening the door for possible strategic alliances or acquisitions. CEO Subodh Kulkarni said that the resources needed to “hit our end-of-year technology goals” are provided by this financial strength.
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