Artificial intelligence stocks have been hot, and the next big investment opportunity could be in quantum computing. A number of pure-play quantum companies have gone public in the past few years, capitalizing on investor interest in the technology. One of the newest in this space is Xanadu Quantum Technologies (XNDU 1.47%). Its initial public offering (IPO) occurred on March 27. By comparison, IonQ (IONQ +3.24%) is a relative veteran, having gone public in 2021. Is Xanadu or IonQ the better investment for investors seeking exposure to this up-and-coming industry? Here's a deeper look at both to arrive at an answer. A look at Xanadu Xanadu claims to be the first pure-play photonic quantum computing company to go public. The use of photons in its technology differentiates it from IonQ, which employs ions. Xanadu CEO Dr. Christian Weedbrook said he founded the company with "a conviction that photonics was the right path to a scalable quantum computer." His claim has merit, though photons and ions offer distinct advantages and downsides. Photons are light particles with properties that make them a compelling choice to power quantum computers. They are well-suited for quantum cryptography because their random quantum states make every photon inherently secure. Moreover, photons can transmit quantum data over long distances, rendering them suitable for quantum networking. Computer networks are essential for artificial intelligence, since networked devices unlock greater computational ability. In fact, IonQ added photonics to its solutions for these reasons. Xanadu is on a roll. It partnered with AI semiconductor giant Advanced Micro Devices and quadrupled revenue growth in the first quarter, reaching $2.8 million compared to $0.7 million in the previous year. NASDAQ: XNDU Key Data Points The case for IonQ IonQ is focused on building an expansive quantum computing business. It boasts a vast array of quantum-related