QuantrolOx has joined the Arctic Quantum Consortium

In a significant step towards developing million-qubit quantum computers, QuantrolOx has joined the Arctic Consortium, a collaborative effort involving 35 leading quantum organizations from 11 countries. The consortium aims to establish a comprehensive European supply chain for cryogenic photonics, microelectronics, and cryo-microsystems, which are crucial for scaling up quantum computing technology. Led by IMEC, the project brings together industry leaders, academia, and research institutions to overcome the challenges of controlling and interfacing scaled-up quantum computers.

Alexander Grill, scientific leader of ARCTIC at IMEC, emphasized the need for optimized microelectronic technologies when operating at cryogenic temperatures. QuantrolOx will contribute to the project by developing algorithms for automated spin device characterization and qubit control, with the goal of reducing device characterization time and enhancing throughput. Vishal Chatrath, Co-Founder and CEO of QuantrolOx, highlighted the company’s previous success in beating industry benchmarks for single qubit bring-up and testing, and expressed optimism about establishing similar benchmarks for quantum dot devices through this project.

Advancing Cryogenic Technologies for Quantum Computing Era

The ARCTIC consortium, comprising 36 partners from 11 countries, has embarked on a mission to develop components and systems for controlling and interfacing scaled-up quantum computers and other cryogenic microsystems. This joint EU project aims to establish a complete and comprehensive European supply chain for cryogenic photonics, microelectronics, and cryo-microsystems around the emerging quantum computing industry.

One of the primary challenges in upscaling quantum computers is the need for thousands to millions of physical qubits, which require an enormous amount of control and interfacing machinery to efficiently operate and control the quantum computer. Currently, this machinery is operated at room temperature, but quantum computers based on qubits are operated close to absolute zero Kelvin temperatures inside a cryostat. The limited space, heat transported through wires, and signal integrity due to long wires pose significant constraints.

To overcome these limitations, ARCTIC brings together technology developers, technology integrators, modelers, designers, system/application players, and end users to ensure smooth interfacing between respective layers. The project focuses on developing materials and fabrication processes, novel simulation approaches, heterogeneous packaging, and optimizing devices and circuits specifically designed for cryogenic operation.

Cryogenic Microsystems: A Giant Leap Towards Million-Qubit Quantum Computers

The ARCTIC project is a significant step towards the era of cryogenic classical and quantum microsystems. By establishing a comprehensive European supply chain, the consortium aims to resolve existing problems in areas such as computational chemistry, bio and life sciences, cryptography needed for data protection, and cyber security.

QuantrolOx, one of the leading organizations in the consortium, will contribute to the project by developing algorithms for automated spin device characterization and qubit control. The goal is to reduce device characterization time through automation and multiplexing solutions, enhancing throughput and accelerating the R&D cycle of CMOS quantum dot devices.

Overcoming Interfacing Challenges in Quantum Computing

The performance requirements from electronic devices and circuits at cryogenic temperatures are quite different compared to those at room temperature. Especially when interfacing very sensitive applications such as quantum processors, all aspects of microelectronic technologies need to be optimized. The ARCTIC project addresses these challenges by developing novel materials, fabrication processes, and simulation approaches.

The consortium’s focus on heterogeneous packaging and optimizing devices and circuits specifically designed for cryogenic operation will enable the development of highly demanded technologies that can resolve existing problems in various fields. By leveraging the unique R&D ecosystem in Europe, the ARCTIC project aims to bridge the gap between academic innovation models and industrial valorization.

Automated Qubit Control and Characterization: A Key Enabler for Quantum Computing

QuantrolOx’s contributions to the ARCTIC project will also include leading projects to demonstrate advanced qubit control and rapidly test and analyze multiple CMOS quantum dot devices simultaneously. The goal is to establish similar benchmarks for quantum dot devices, building on the success of Quantum EDGE, which has already beaten all previous industry benchmarks for single qubit bring-up, characterization, and testing of superconducting qubits.

By developing machine learning-based algorithms for characterizing and controlling qubits on devices from SemiQon and Quobly, QuantrolOx aims to reduce device characterization time through automation and multiplexing solutions. This will enhance throughput and accelerate the R&D cycle of CMOS quantum dot devices, ultimately enabling the development of highly demanded technologies that can resolve existing problems in various fields.