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Rigetti Faces Coherence Challenge as It Scales Quantum Computing
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Key Takeaways
Rigetti's 108-qubit Cepheus system faces coherence limits of 25-30 microseconds.
Chip redesigns, fabrication upgrades and materials innovations could triple Rigetti's coherence times.
RGTI is exploring tantalum-capped superconducting contacts to improve system performance.
Rigetti Computing (RGTI - Free Report) is shifting its focus toward improving quantum processor quality as it works to advance its next-generation computing systems. During its second-quarter 2026 earnings call, management identified coherence time as the primary technical hurdle affecting two-qubit gate fidelity in its flagship 108-qubit Cepheus system. Although Cepheus-1-108Q ranks among a limited group of generally available gate-based quantum computers with more than 100 qubits, its coherence times of approximately 25-30 microseconds continue to constrain computational reliability. This highlights a key challenge for Rigetti as it seeks to translate higher qubit counts into meaningful improvements in quantum processing capabilities.
To address these limitations, Rigetti is pursuing a combination of chip redesigns, fabrication process enhancements and materials innovations. The company is also exploring tantalum-capped superconducting contacts to help mitigate performance degradation. Management expects these efforts to potentially double or triple coherence times over the next several years, which could improve two-qubit gate fidelity and strengthen overall system performance. However, achieving these gains will depend on the successful execution of its engineering initiatives and the consistency of improvements across its quantum processors.
The progress of these initiatives will be an important factor in determining Rigetti's ability to advance toward larger and more commercially viable quantum systems. While increasing qubit capacity remains an important part of its technology roadmap, sustained improvements in coherence and gate performance will be essential to making quantum computing more reliable for practical applications. Investors will be watching whether Rigetti can deliver measurable performance gains alongside its ongoing efforts to scale its systems.
Peers Updates
IonQ (IONQ - Free Report) recently signed an $8.18 million commercial agreement with Congruity360 to integrate quantum-safe networking capabilities into the latter’s enterprise data management platform. Under the agreement, Congruity360 will deploy IonQ’s post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution appliances to strengthen protection for sensitive enterprise data across its U.S. client base.
The companies described the agreement as one of the largest commercial quantum security deals announced in the United States, highlighting growing interest in next-generation cybersecurity solutions. The contract could help IonQ expand its commercial presence in quantum security and capitalize on enterprise demand for infrastructure designed to address emerging quantum-related cybersecurity risks.
Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT - Free Report) recently entered into a three-year Framework Agreement with Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar to advance collaborative initiatives spanning quantum computing, sensing and communications. The agreement covers joint research, executive education, industry-oriented projects, quantum application development and co-marketing activities designed to promote broader adoption of quantum technologies in Qatar and other markets.
The collaboration also aims to develop practical quantum-based solutions for real-world challenges while strengthening the regional talent pipeline. The partnership could expand QUBT’s academic and industry engagement, creating opportunities to advance application development and build awareness of its quantum technology offerings.
Rigetti’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
Shares of RGTI have lost 36.7% in the year-to-date period against the industry’s growth of 9.8%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Rigetti trades at a price-to-book ratio of 8.71, above the industry average. RGTI carries a Value Score of F.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Rigetti’s 2026 earnings implies a significant 70.3% improvement from the year-ago period.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
Rigetti Faces Coherence Challenge as It Scales Quantum Computing
Key Takeaways
Rigetti Computing (RGTI - Free Report) is shifting its focus toward improving quantum processor quality as it works to advance its next-generation computing systems. During its second-quarter 2026 earnings call, management identified coherence time as the primary technical hurdle affecting two-qubit gate fidelity in its flagship 108-qubit Cepheus system. Although Cepheus-1-108Q ranks among a limited group of generally available gate-based quantum computers with more than 100 qubits, its coherence times of approximately 25-30 microseconds continue to constrain computational reliability. This highlights a key challenge for Rigetti as it seeks to translate higher qubit counts into meaningful improvements in quantum processing capabilities.
To address these limitations, Rigetti is pursuing a combination of chip redesigns, fabrication process enhancements and materials innovations. The company is also exploring tantalum-capped superconducting contacts to help mitigate performance degradation. Management expects these efforts to potentially double or triple coherence times over the next several years, which could improve two-qubit gate fidelity and strengthen overall system performance. However, achieving these gains will depend on the successful execution of its engineering initiatives and the consistency of improvements across its quantum processors.
The progress of these initiatives will be an important factor in determining Rigetti's ability to advance toward larger and more commercially viable quantum systems. While increasing qubit capacity remains an important part of its technology roadmap, sustained improvements in coherence and gate performance will be essential to making quantum computing more reliable for practical applications. Investors will be watching whether Rigetti can deliver measurable performance gains alongside its ongoing efforts to scale its systems.
Peers Updates
IonQ (IONQ - Free Report) recently signed an $8.18 million commercial agreement with Congruity360 to integrate quantum-safe networking capabilities into the latter’s enterprise data management platform. Under the agreement, Congruity360 will deploy IonQ’s post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution appliances to strengthen protection for sensitive enterprise data across its U.S. client base.
The companies described the agreement as one of the largest commercial quantum security deals announced in the United States, highlighting growing interest in next-generation cybersecurity solutions. The contract could help IonQ expand its commercial presence in quantum security and capitalize on enterprise demand for infrastructure designed to address emerging quantum-related cybersecurity risks.
Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT - Free Report) recently entered into a three-year Framework Agreement with Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar to advance collaborative initiatives spanning quantum computing, sensing and communications. The agreement covers joint research, executive education, industry-oriented projects, quantum application development and co-marketing activities designed to promote broader adoption of quantum technologies in Qatar and other markets.
The collaboration also aims to develop practical quantum-based solutions for real-world challenges while strengthening the regional talent pipeline. The partnership could expand QUBT’s academic and industry engagement, creating opportunities to advance application development and build awareness of its quantum technology offerings.
Rigetti’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
Shares of RGTI have lost 36.7% in the year-to-date period against the industry’s growth of 9.8%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Rigetti trades at a price-to-book ratio of 8.71, above the industry average. RGTI carries a Value Score of F.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Rigetti’s 2026 earnings implies a significant 70.3% improvement from the year-ago period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The company currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.