Bengaluru: A Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup is working to make quantum computing more practical by developing a room-temperature photonic quantum computer, eliminating the need for the ultra-cold conditions required by most existing quantum systems.
Quanfluence, founded by former semiconductor engineers Sujoy Chakravarty, Ravi Mehta and Biman Chattopadhyay, is developing a quantum computing platform that uses light instead of superconducting electrical circuits, a technology researchers believe could make future quantum computers more scalable and easier to deploy.
From semiconductor success to quantum innovation
The founders spent more than a decade together at Texas Instruments before launching Silicon and Beyond in 2012, a company specialising in high-speed semiconductor intellectual property (IP).
The startup was acquired by Synopsys in 2018. Instead of starting another semiconductor venture, the trio spent months studying different quantum computing architectures to identify an opportunity where India could contribute to cutting-edge hardware development.
Why photonic quantum computing?
Most of today’s leading quantum computers rely on superconducting circuits that operate inside cryogenic refrigerators at temperatures close to absolute zero (-273°C)—colder than outer space.
Quanfluence has instead chosen photonic quantum computing, where laser light serves as the computational medium. Since photonic systems do not require cryogenic cooling, they have the potential to operate at room temperature, significantly reducing infrastructure costs and complexity.
Researchers worldwide increasingly view photonics as one of the promising approaches for building scalable quantum computers, although the technology is still evolving.
Building an Indian quantum ecosystem
To strengthen its research capabilities, Quanfluence brought together experts from academia and industry. Professor Anil Prabhakar of IIT Madras joined as a co-founder, contributing expertise in Optical Ising Machines, while Professor Sandeep Goyal of IISER Mohali added his knowledge of quantum information theory. Former Arista Networks executive Aditi Vaidya also joined as Chief Product Officer.
According to the company, its platform uses the electric fields generated by groups of photons rather than individual photons, an approach it believes can improve stability and scalability.
If successful, the technology could enable quantum computers to operate in conventional data centres and cloud environments, making advanced quantum computing more accessible without the need for expensive cryogenic infrastructure.