[SeoulTech x Donga.com Joint Planning] Seoul National University of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as SeoulTech) operates various support programs to assist the growth of startups, including pre-startup and initial startup packages, makerspaces, and global collaboration. Furthermore, in collaboration with Donga.com, it provides global news to aid the overseas promotion and expansion of startups, introducing promising deep-tech startups domestically and internationally.

OptiQLabs develops an ECDL (External Cavity Diode Laser) system for ion trap quantum computers. The ion trap is one of the methods of operating quantum computers, where specific atoms are ionized and trapped to be used as qubits. At this time, a high-precision laser system is used to manipulate and control the ions. This is the role of the laser system being developed by OptiQLabs.

OptiQLabs completed the development and internal testing of its Minimum Viable Product (MVP) last September and plans to officially launch after performance verification and enhancement work by the second quarter of 2026. OptiQLabs cites linewidth and stabilization work as advantages of its laser system. It has achieved a laser linewidth of up to 100 kHz, similar to globally commercialized products, and provides stabilization work tailored to the quantum computer installation environment.

After commercializing the laser system, OptiQLabs aims to develop an ionization system and ion trap quantum computers. An interview was conducted with Sungjae Jung, CEO of OptiQLabs, to discuss OptiQLabs and its laser system.


Providing Optical Solutions for Ion Trap Quantum Computers, OptiQLabs

IT Donga: Hello, CEO Sungjae Jung. Please introduce yourself.

Sungjae Jung: Hello, I am Sungjae Jung from OptiQLabs. I majored in mechanical engineering at Hanyang University and am pursuing a doctoral course. I mainly researched digital twins based on numerical analysis. Then I met CTO Dongwook Cheon, and after discussing our respective fields of expertise, we decided to start a startup in the related field ourselves. Thus, OptiQLabs was founded last February.

IT Donga: What was the reason for establishing OptiQLabs?

Sungjae Jung: I had been thinking about starting a business for a while. I also took several entrepreneurship-related classes. Then I met CTO Dongwook Cheon. CTO Dongwook Cheon is a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from the University of Tokyo and has researched in the fields of ion traps and optics for about 13 years. He also worked at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency. CTO Dongwook Cheon was planning to return to Korea from Japan but found no companies related to ion trap quantum computers in Korea. Despite the growing interest in quantum computers, the hardware related to ion traps was dependent on imports. So we decided to establish a company related to ion trap quantum computers ourselves.

IT Donga: What is an ion trap?

Sungjae Jung: An ion trap is one of the methods of operating quantum computers. Quantum computing is a computing technology that processes information using the principles of quantum mechanics, using qubits for computation. Qubits can be generated in various ways, such as superconductors, semiconductors, and neutral atoms, with one of them being ion traps. Ion traps ionize specific atoms, trap them, and use them as qubits. Ion trap quantum computers are known for their stability and scalability, showing strengths in memory and quantum networking fields.

IT Donga: Please introduce OptiQLabs.

Sungjae Jung: OptiQLabs is a company that provides optical solutions for ion trap quantum computers. Based on our optical technology, we develop special-purpose ECDL systems, which are core components of ion trap quantum computers. The company name OptiQLabs combines 'Optic' from Optical and 'Q' from Quantum.


High Stability, Low Linewidth ECDL System

IT Donga: Please explain the ECDL system being developed by OptiQLabs.

Sungjae Jung: The laser system used in ion trap quantum computers needs to be more stable and precise than general industrial lasers because it must control ions one by one. Therefore, there are not many developers of laser systems for ion trap quantum computers worldwide.

We possess technology related to ion traps and laser systems. CTO Dongwook Cheon accumulated related technology and know-how at his previous research institute. Based on this, we are developing an ECDL system suitable for ion trap quantum computers.

Our ECDL system has two main features. The first is linewidth. Laser systems for ion trap quantum computers are divided into Littrow type and Cat's eye type, with the Cat's eye type being more stable and supporting lower linewidths, although it is more challenging to implement. It requires precise and sophisticated technology and technical know-how. Thus, there are few places worldwide developing Cat's eye type laser systems. We have reduced the linewidth to 100 kHz with the Cat's eye type, which is similar to the level provided by global companies.

The second feature is stabilization work. Existing laser system companies only deliver products. The purchasing company must perform the setup and stabilization work for quantum computers. We provide an all-in-one solution that completes stabilization work tailored to the quantum computer environment before delivery.

IT Donga: Please tell us about the development progress so far.

Sungjae Jung: We completed MVP development and internal testing last September and plan to conduct performance testing at the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science in November. We aim to complete testing by the end of this year and start sales by the second quarter of 2026. We are currently in discussions with research institutes related to ion trap quantum computers.

Additionally, we are participating in startup support programs such as the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' Pre-Startup Package, Incheon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation's Pathfinder, and the Korea Technology Finance Corporation's Venture Camp, as well as support programs for quantum computers like the Seoul Quantum Campus and Quantum Computing Quantum Transition Project. We have also signed an MOU with the University of London and are in discussions for an MOU with the University of Tokyo. Through these, we plan to conduct performance verification and joint research on our ECDL system.


IT Donga: You are currently receiving support from the SeoulTech Pre-Startup Package. What support have you received?

Sungjae Jung: Thanks to the commercialization funding support from the Pre-Startup Package, we successfully conducted MVP development and internal testing. The educational programs on B2B corporate meetings and IR material preparation, and B2B commercialization strategies for deep-tech companies, which are essential for early startups, were also very helpful. We are currently in the seed investment round and have been provided with opportunities to meet investors practically.

“We will develop up to the Ion Trap Quantum Computer System”

IT Donga: Lastly, please tell us about OptiQLabs' future plans.

Sungjae Jung: First, after commercializing the ECDL system, we aim to secure stable sales by supplying to university laboratories and government-funded research institutes domestically and to companies leading the quantum computer market globally. Especially for global companies, as they need to continuously add laser systems to increase qubits, we expect sufficient demand for our products.

We also plan to proceed with technology development and enhancement. We have currently reduced the laser linewidth to 100 kHz, but we aim to develop an ultra-precision laser system that further reduces it while ensuring stability. Although we are currently focusing on laser systems for ion trap quantum computers, our goal is to develop an ionization system and eventually an ion trap quantum computer system using the current system.

IT Donga Reporter Manhyuk Han (mh@itdonga.com)

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