Welcome to Bell State
Your weekly briefing on the research, companies, and infrastructure shaping quantum computing.
Week of August 24, 2026
This week in one minute
The National Science Foundation committed more than $290 million to eight quantum research institutes.
IBM completed its acquisition of HRL Laboratories, adding silicon-spin qubits and capabilities across sensing, materials, cryogenics, controls, packaging, and interconnects.
The U.S. Treasury launched a public-private task force to coordinate the financial sector's transition to post-quantum cryptography.
Harvard researchers used mechanical vibrations to extend the coherence time of a diamond spin qubit by roughly threefold.
Quantum stock tracker
Market data through the August 26 close.
Quantum-focused companies
Ticker | Company | Price | 1D | 1W |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rigetti | $15.95 | -5.8% | -9.9% | |
D-Wave | $17.51 | -9.5% | -10.3% | |
Quantum Computing Inc. | $8.37 | -1.1% | -1.8% | |
IonQ | $40.02 | -4.8% | -9.3% |
Diversified companies and sector benchmark
Ticker | Company | Price | 1D | 1W |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IBM | $229.88 | -1.8% | -1.2% | |
Honeywell | $220.69 | +2.3% | -3.1% | |
Defiance Quantum ETF | $148.76 | 0.0% | -2.2% |
Market signal: Quantum-focused shares sold off on August 26. D-Wave fell 9.5%, Rigetti declined 5.8%, and IonQ dropped 4.8%, while Honeywell rose 2.3% and the QTUM ETF was nearly flat. Every tracked name remained lower than its August 18 close, with D-Wave and Rigetti posting the steepest declines.
Daily performance compares with August 25; weekly performance compares with August 18. Returns are price changes and do not include dividends.
The big signal: NSF puts $290 million behind quantum infrastructure
The U.S. National Science Foundation will invest more than $290 million across eight Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes. Three institutes are new and five are receiving renewed funding. Each will receive approximately $28 million to $37 million over five years.
The program spans 36 higher-education institutions in 19 states and includes more than 30 company partners. Its remit covers fault tolerance, quantum error correction, modular architectures, manufacturing, simulation, sensing, and workforce development.
Why it matters: This is ecosystem funding rather than a single hardware bet. The structure recognizes that useful quantum systems depend on progress across materials, fabrication, controls, algorithms, error correction, and talent at the same time.
IBM completes its acquisition of HRL Laboratories
IBM completed its acquisition of HRL Laboratories, the research institution previously owned by Boeing and General Motors. Financial terms were not disclosed. Boeing and GM will continue working with IBM and HRL on quantum applications and advanced technology development.
HRL brings expertise in silicon-spin qubits, quantum sensing, materials science, cryogenics, control electronics, packaging, and interconnects. IBM said those capabilities will complement its superconducting-qubit program and create opportunities to work with Anderon, its planned quantum wafer foundry, on scalable manufacturing across multiple modalities.
Why it matters: The acquisition broadens IBM's technical base without signaling a retreat from superconducting qubits. HRL gives IBM additional paths to improve fabrication, packaging, sensing, and systems integration while preserving optionality around silicon-spin architectures. The strategic value lies in accumulating capabilities across the hardware stack as quantum computing moves from laboratory devices toward manufactured systems.
Treasury organizes the financial sector for post-quantum security
The U.S. Treasury launched a public-private Quantum-Readiness Task Force to coordinate the financial sector's transition to quantum-safe technology. Its work will build on the G7 Cyber Expert Group's post-quantum cryptography roadmap and focus on operational resilience across financial institutions, infrastructure providers, and technology vendors.
The task force has three workstreams: sector alignment and cryptographic transition, third-party and vendor readiness, and digital assets and emerging-technology risk. Treasury says the effort will address cryptographic inventories, critical dependencies, interoperability, vendor coordination, and implementation risk.
Why it matters: Post-quantum security is becoming an operating requirement rather than a distant research concern. Financial institutions need years to identify vulnerable systems, replace cryptographic infrastructure, and coordinate with vendors. The task force turns quantum risk into a concrete migration and procurement agenda well before a cryptographically relevant quantum computer exists.
Sound waves protect a diamond spin qubit
Harvard researchers demonstrated an all-mechanical method for protecting the coherence of a silicon-vacancy spin in diamond. A continuous field of phonons, the quantum particles associated with mechanical vibrations, created a "dressed" qubit that was less sensitive to low-frequency environmental noise.
The method extended spin coherence time by roughly a factor of three. It is compatible with phononic cavities, where phonons could eventually carry quantum information between nodes while also protecting the qubits' memory.
Why it matters: Phonons have shorter wavelengths than light at the same frequency and couple readily to both solid-state spins and electromagnetic fields. That makes them attractive for compact, hybrid quantum networks if researchers can preserve coherence inside practical devices.
Quantum Job Board
Five open roles across the quantum ecosystem.
QUERA
Internship, Research & Development
Boston, MA | On-site internship
Help design, build, and characterize neutral-atom quantum computing systems while working with optical components, lasers, atom traps, and experimental data.
RIGETTI
Senior Quantum Engineer, Gate Calibration
Berkeley, CA | On-site | $175,000-$200,000
Lead two-qubit gate calibration and error-diagnosis work on tunable-coupler superconducting processors.
ATOM COMPUTING
Quantum Error Correction Software Engineer
Berkeley, CA or Boulder, CO | Hybrid | $155,000-$185,000
Build software for fault-tolerant demonstrations, real-time decoding, circuit compilation, and analysis on neutral-atom hardware.
RIVERLANE
Quantum Scientist, Applied QEC
Boston, MA | Hybrid | $135,000-$170,000
Design and interpret quantum error-correction experiments with hardware partners using Riverlane's software and tools.
ZURICH INSTRUMENTS
Business Development Manager, Quantum Technology
Boston, MA | Hybrid
Develop customer relationships, new revenue opportunities, and strategic accounts for quantum-control and test instrumentation.
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Bell State is a publication of Spice Capital.
