The UK just put quantum clocks on military submarines. Here's why that matters, and what it tells us about the quantum computing race.

Matthew Kinsella, CEO of Infleqtion, explains how neutral atom quantum computers work at room temperature, no supercooling required. Unlike trapped ion or superconducting systems, neutral atoms offer something unique: the same technology powers quantum computers, atomic clocks, and sensors.

This isn't just faster computing. It's GPS-independent navigation, unhackable timing, and scalability that other quantum approaches can't match.

We explore:

- Why submarines need atomic precision underwater

- How quantum clocks provide GPS-independent timing

- The difference between physical and logical qubits

- Neutral atoms vs other quantum modalities (superconducting, trapped ion, spin qubits)

- When quantum advantage becomes commercially useful (Matthew says: 100 logical qubits)

- Infleqtion's platform strategy: clocks, sensors, and computers from the same tech

- Why NVIDIA is partnering with quantum companies for hybrid workflows

Matthew breaks down how lasers manipulate rubidium atoms into the coldest places in the known universe, the Rydberg state that enables entanglement, and why this approach is winning the scalability race.

If you've been waiting for quantum computing to become practical, this is the episode that shows you it's already happening.

---

Guest: Matthew Kinsella, CEO, Infleqtion

Topics: Quantum computing, neutral atoms, quantum sensing, atomic clocks, defense technology

--

Please enjoy the show.

Stay curious.

Keep Thinking on Paper.

Mark and Jeremy

PS: Please subscribe. It’s the best way you can help other curious minds find our channel.

--

Other ways to connect with us:

• ⁠Listen to every podcast⁠

• Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠

• Follow us on ⁠X⁠

• Follow Mark on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

• Follow Jeremy on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

• Read our ⁠Substack⁠

• Email: [email protected]

--

Timestamps:

(00:00) Trailer

(01:50) Why coordination matters: From internal strategy to GPS timing

(04:48) What is a quantum clock and how does it link to GPS?

(07:18) Nature's metronome: How atoms keep time with laser precision

(08:14) Room temperature quantum: Why neutral atoms don't need freezers

(12:38) The Rydberg state: Making atoms sensitive to the entire RF spectrum

(14:03) Quantum clock on a UK submarine

(17:06) Quantum in space: Voyager partnership and the International Space Station

(18:48) Hybrid quantum-classical workflows: How QPUs layer above GPUs

(23:18) Software layers: From laser control to developer applications

(25:32) Drug discovery example: GPU, CPU, QPU

(29:03) The bridge between classical and quantum: Memory architecture innovations

(31:54) How Quantum Clocks & Products Lead To Quantum Computers

(33:48) Nvidia

(35:42) Quality or Quantity of Qubits 

(38:00) Quantum mechanics and free will: Does wave collapse prove consciousness?

Love it.

Thanks.