IQM deploys first U.S. quantum computer at Oak Ridge lab
IQM Quantum Computers has deployed its first U.S. quantum computer, a 20-qubit IQM Radiance system, at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The system, named Pathfinder, is the first commercially procured quantum computer at ORNL and will be integrated with high-performance computing systems. This deployment expands IQM's commercial footprint in North America ahead of its planned Nasdaq listing through a merger with Real Asset Acquisition Corp.

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IQM Quantum Computers has deployed its first quantum computer in the United States at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The installation of the 20-qubit IQM Radiance system, named Pathfinder, marks the first commercially procured quantum computer at the laboratory. This deployment allows ORNL researchers to develop methods and tools for a hybrid quantum-HPC ecosystem by connecting the system to high-performance computing systems in the National Center for Computational Sciences Technology Integration Group's test bed.
ORNL owns and operates the Pathfinder system directly on its campus, utilizing IQM's deployment model which grants customers direct ownership and control of their quantum infrastructure, including associated intellectual property. This on-premises approach is chosen by national laboratories and high-performance computing centers to integrate quantum capabilities directly into their existing computing environments.
Strategic Expansion and Market Presence
The deployment at ORNL expands IQM's commercial presence in the United States. The company has sold 23 full-stack quantum systems worldwide, a figure that IQM states represents more on-premises systems than any other manufacturer. This installation comes ahead of IQM's planned listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market through its business combination with Real Asset Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: RAAQ), which is expected to close in mid-2026.
Operational Integration and Leadership Commentary
Jan Goetz, CEO and Co-founder of IQM, emphasized the significance of integrating quantum computing into real infrastructure. "Our first U.S. system now sits on Oak Ridge campus, connected to their HPC environment, owned and operated by their teams," said Goetz. "Quantum becomes useful when it works inside real computing infrastructure, and there is no better place to prove that. Oak Ridge is a place where serious computing is done."
Travis Humble, Director of the ORNL Quantum Science Center, highlighted the research benefits. "On-premises systems enable us to demonstrate quantum computing concepts that realize our goal of building a scalable, hybrid HPC ecosystem," Humble stated. "The presence of the IQM Radiance quantum computer on campus has already accelerated integration with our world-class HPC capabilities. Our research teams are now developing new methods and tools to demonstrate applications in materials simulations, chemistry, and artificial intelligence."
Key Deployment Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| System Name | Pathfinder |
| System Type | IQM Radiance |
| Qubit Count | 20-qubit |
| Location | Oak Ridge National Laboratory |
| Ownership | ORNL owns and operates |
| Integration | Connected to HPC systems in the National Center for Computational Sciences Technology Integration Group's test bed |
How will the successful integration of the 20-qubit system influence ORNL's timeline for deploying larger-scale quantum processors?
What specific benchmarks will ORNL use to evaluate the performance improvements of hybrid quantum-HPC workloads in materials science and AI?
Will this deployment trigger increased procurement of on-premises quantum systems by other U.S. national laboratories and government agencies?



























