Diraq opens first U.S. quantum lab in Chicago

Diraq opened its first U.S. laboratory in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2026, giving the quantum computing company new cryogenic and measurement capacity at mHUB through the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park’s On-Ramp program. The move strengthens Diraq’s U.S. footprint as the company pushes toward utility-scale silicon quantum systems by 2029.

Why it matters: - Diraq’s Chicago lab adds U.S.-based research and testing capacity to a global development network aimed at utility-scale quantum computing. - The facility gives Diraq access to dedicated cryogenic and measurement infrastructure in one of the country’s most active quantum hubs. - The expansion supports Diraq’s broader goal of building commercially useful quantum systems with many thousands of physical qubits by 2029.

What happened: - Diraq opened its first U.S. laboratory in Chicago as part of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park’s On-Ramp program at mHUB. - The company said the new site expands its global testing and measurement capabilities and complements existing R&D operations in Sydney. - Diraq CEO and founder Andrew Dzurak said Chicago’s quantum facilities will help the company rapidly test and prototype its scalable technology. - The company said development work is already underway in Chicago, including qubit measurements, cryogenic CMOS testing, and component testing and verification.

The details: - The Chicago lab includes two quantum refrigeration units and supporting infrastructure. - Diraq’s Chicago team has access to dedicated cryogenic and measurement tools to test and characterize the silicon quantum technology behind the company’s roadmap. - The Chicago operation is part of a global R&D effort that uses time-zone differences to extend experimental work across the day. - Diraq plans to grow the Chicago team over the next 12 months and may expand into broader engineering functions as the operation grows. - The On-Ramp program gives Diraq access to infrastructure at mHUB while the permanent IQMP campus is under development. - Chicago also gives Diraq access to industry partners, national laboratories, and a broader innovation ecosystem. - Diraq builds quantum processors using silicon spin qubits and CMOS-compatible production processes. - The company says that approach is designed to leverage semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure and could enable millions of qubits on a single chip. - Diraq’s utility-scale quantum computers are planned as rack-scale systems that can fit into existing computing facilities worldwide. - Diraq defines utility scale as the point where a quantum computer creates computational value that exceeds the cost to build and operate. - Diraq’s U.S. footprint also includes its headquarters in Palo Alto and operations in Santa Monica. - The company partners with NVIDIA, Dell Technologies, GlobalFoundries, and imec. - Diraq is one of 11 companies globally selected for Stage B of DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative. - Diraq’s public channels include LinkedIn, YouTube, and X.

Between the lines: - The Chicago opening signals that Diraq is moving from a Sydney-centered research base to a more distributed development model. - Locating work in Chicago may help Diraq tap U.S. talent, institutional partners, and a growing state-backed quantum ecosystem. - The lab’s focus on silicon and CMOS compatibility positions Diraq around a manufacturing path that could scale more easily than custom quantum hardware approaches.

What’s next: - Diraq plans to expand its Chicago team over the next year. - The company will continue developing toward a commercially useful system containing many thousands of physical qubits by 2029. - Illinois quantum officials said they expect the On-Ramp model to keep activity moving before the full IQMP campus opens. - Diraq will continue building its U.S. and global R&D network as it advances toward utility-scale systems.