QCi Quantum showcases its optimization machine on Quantum Corridor's network 

Dirac-3 is now live on a commercial quantum-ready network that recently proved QKD implementation.
March 31, 2026
3 min read

Key Highlights

  • Quantum Corridor's network now hosts the Dirac-3 quantum computer, offering secure access over a dedicated fiber infrastructure secured with Toshiba's QKD system.
  • The collaboration with the Chicago Quantum Exchange and Toshiba demonstrates a practical deployment of quantum technology in commercial data centers.
  • Dirac-3 supports diverse applications such as fraud detection, portfolio optimization, and mission-critical planning, enabling faster, data-driven decisions.
  • The network spans key data centers in Chicago and Indiana, linking research, industry, and government institutions to foster quantum innovation.
  • This deployment marks a strategic step toward scalable, secure quantum computing solutions for enterprise and academic users across North America.
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What is the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE)?
With locations in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) is focused on driving the science and engineering of quantum information, preparing the quantum workforce, and driving the quantum economy in collaboration with major universities, national labs, and industry partners. The CQE is based at the University of Chicago and anchored by the US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Northwestern University, and Purdue University. The community includes more than 50 corporate, international, nonprofit, and regional partners.

Quantum Corridor, an interstate quantum-safe commercial communications network in North America, placed a QCi Dirac-3 quantum optimization machine on its network. 

Institutions and commercial customers will now be able to access QCi's Dirac-3, its third-generation QUDIT-entropy quantum computer, over Quantum Corridor's network.

This follows Quantum Corridor's recent work with Toshiba, implementing Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) over Quantum Corridor's commercial fiber infrastructure, providing a 10G connection to the QCi machine, secured with Toshiba QKD. Toshiba's MU QKD system is designed to multiplex both classical DWDM channels and the quantum and control channels used for key generation.

Quantum Corridor piloted the project using Toshiba QKD equipment that was on loan to the Chicago Quantum Exchange. Toshiba's MU QKD system is designed to multiplex both classical DWDM channels and the quantum and control channels used for key generation.

quantumcomputinginc.com/
QCi's Diract-3 is the company's 3rd-generation QUDIT entropy quantum computer.

QCi's Diract-3 is the company's 3rd-generation QUDIT entropy quantum computer.

A new quantum approach

Deployed at the Digital Crossroad Data Center in Hammond, Ind., the placement marks the first Dirac-3 machine installation in a commercial data center environment.

The Dirac-3 enables a new revenue approach for QCi and Quantum Corridor alike, allowing clients to access Dirac-3 via Quantum Corridor's existing subscription and service framework.

"This collaboration enhances secure and scalable access to our quantum computing capabilities and marks a significant step forward in QCi's commercial deployment strategy," said Dr. Yuping Huang, CEO of QCi. "By embedding our technology into a highly secure, quantum-compatible network in the Chicago and Northwest Indiana region, we are expanding practical access to quantum infrastructure for both academic and enterprise users."

www.chicagoquantum.org
Quantum Corridor's commercial quantum-capable fiber network in North America, with its first transmissions from Chicago to Hammond, Indiana.

Quantum Corridor's commercial quantum-capable fiber network in North America, with its first transmissions from Chicago to Hammond, Indiana.

Wide application support

Dirac-3 delivers computational capabilities for a wide range of applications, enabling organizations to detect fraud across millions of transactions, optimize complex multi-asset portfolios, plan mission-critical operations, and manage UAS risk at scale.

By solving problems that are extremely complex for classical systems, Dirac-3 empowers faster, data-driven decisions and drives innovation in both commercial and scientific industries.

The partnership expands market reach and improves access to QCi's quantum hardware for the Chicago Quantum Exchange member institutions and a broader range of enterprises in the Midwest, including future expansion to universities and government partners in Indiana.

Spanning from Chicago's ORD 10 Data Center (350 Cermak) to the Digital Crossroad Data Center, Quantum Corridor's quantum-enabled commercial fiber network will link quantum research facilities, hyperscalers and industry leaders across key verticals with a capacity of 40 Tbps.

For related articles, visit the Optical Topic Center. 
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About the Author

Sean Buckley
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Sean Buckley

Sean is responsible for establishing and executing the editorial strategy of Lightwave across its website, email newsletters, events, and other information products.

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