Rigetti Computing has announced a partnership with Montana State University (MSU) that will see the quantum computing firm deploy an on-premises quantum computer at the university’s Applied Quantum CORE (QCORE) facility.

The deployment will see MSU become the first academic institution with an on-premises Rigetti quantum computer, featuring a 9-qubit Novera quantum processing unit (QPU), which will be used by researchers to advance quantum computing R&D.

Rigetti launched its Novera QPU, the company’s first commercially available quantum processing unit, in December 2023.

Built at Rigetti’s Fab-1 facility in Fremont, California, the Novera QPU includes a 9-qubit chip with turntable couplers for fast 2-qubit operations and a 5-qubit chip for testing single-qubit operations. The Novera QPU is based on Rigetti’s fourth-generation Ankaa-class architecture, which was first unveiled in August 2023.

The partnership will also see Rigetti and MSU collaborate on initiatives related to quantum hardware and hybrid quantum systems, workforce development activities, and the co-development and testing of enabling technologies and quantum system components.

“We congratulate MSU on this exciting milestone and look forward to supporting Montana’s vibrant quantum computing ecosystem,” said Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, Rigetti CEO. “Hands-on access to quantum computing technology is key for not only quantum computing research, but also for workforce development and education. Rigetti is proud to support QCORE, and we look forward to growing Montana’s quantum capabilities together.”

Opened this week, MSU’s QCORE research and innovation center is housed in the EngineWorks building on MSU’s Innovation Campus. The facility is dedicated to quantum and photonic systems integration as part of the QCORE program, a $26.7 million initiative supported by the US Air Force and which oversees the transition of quantum technologies from concept to market.

MSU has also deployed two Orca Computing PT-1 photonic quantum systems at its QCORE facility this week. First purchased by the university in 2024, the systems will be used to demonstrate how quantum computing can accelerate the development of new therapeutic structures.