Xanadu and Applied Materials Collaborate on High-Volume Fabrication of Superconducting Sensors for Photonic Quantum Computers

Xanadu, a Toronto-based photonic quantum computing company, has teamed up with Applied Materials to develop high-volume fabrication processes for superconducting transition edge sensors (TESs). These TESs are key components of photon-number-resolving detectors (PNRs), enabling qubit state preparation in Xanadu’s quantum computers. The partnership aims to establish a 300 mm manufacturing process, which will help reduce costs and support the scaling of photonic quantum computing infrastructure.

Xanadu, a leading photonic quantum computing company based in Toronto, has entered into a collaboration with Applied Materials, Inc., a leader in materials engineering. This partnership aims to develop high-volume fabrication processes for superconducting transition edge sensors (TESs), which are critical components of photon-number-resolving detectors (PNRs) used in Xanadu’s quantum computers.

TESs play a pivotal role in enabling qubit state preparation, a fundamental process in photonic quantum computing. The collaboration focuses on creating the first 300 mm high-volume-compatible process for TES production, which is essential for scaling up operations and reducing costs associated with detector manufacturing.

Elliott Ortmann from Xanadu emphasized that this partnership allows them to leverage advanced fabrication tools, enhancing device quality and efficiency. Dr. Robert Visser of Applied Materials highlighted their expertise in scalable approaches using 300 mm semiconductor platforms, underscoring the collaboration’s technical depth.

The teams plan to demonstrate the 300 mm platform by the end of 2025, followed by optimization phases before transitioning to mass manufacturing. This initiative builds on previous work between the two companies, focusing on refining TES fabrication processes to meet the stringent demands of quantum computing technology.

This collaboration marks a significant step toward achieving utility-scale quantum computing, with Xanadu’s recent demonstration of the Aurora quantum computer in Nature showcasing modular and scalable capabilities. The partnership underscores the importance of advanced manufacturing techniques in advancing quantum technologies.

Developing High-Volume Fabrication Processes for Superconducting Transition Edge Sensors (TESs)

The collaboration between Xanadu and Applied Materials focuses on advancing the fabrication of superconducting transition edge sensors (TESs), which are critical components for photon-number-resolving detectors in quantum computing systems. These detectors play a vital role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of quantum operations, making their efficient production essential for scaling up quantum technologies.

The partnership aims to develop high-volume manufacturing processes for TESs using 300 mm semiconductor platforms, a move that could significantly reduce costs and improve scalability. This approach leverages Applied Materials’ expertise in advanced fabrication techniques, enabling Xanadu to enhance the performance and reliability of its quantum computing hardware.

By integrating these sensors into their systems, Xanadu seeks to address key challenges in quantum error correction and fault-tolerant operations, which are critical for achieving practical utility-scale quantum computing. The collaboration underscores the importance of interdisciplinary efforts in overcoming technical barriers and advancing quantum technologies toward real-world applications.

Implications for Scaling Quantum Data Centers

The collaboration between Xanadu and Applied Materials addresses critical challenges in scaling photonic quantum computing infrastructure. Superconducting transition edge sensors (TESs) are essential components for photon-number-resolving detectors (PNRs), which enable accurate qubit state preparation in Xanadu’s quantum computers. The development of a 300 mm semiconductor platform for high-volume manufacturing of TESs is expected to significantly improve scalability and reduce costs associated with detector production.

This partnership leverages Applied Materials’ expertise in advanced fabrication techniques, enabling the creation of more reliable and efficient quantum hardware. By integrating these sensors into their systems, Xanadu aims to enhance error correction capabilities and move closer to achieving fault-tolerant quantum computing at scale. The ability to produce TESs at higher volumes will also support the deployment of modular quantum systems, a key requirement for utility-scale quantum data centers.

The collaboration builds on previous work between the two companies, focusing on refining TES fabrication processes to meet the stringent demands of quantum computing technology. The teams plan to demonstrate the 300 mm platform by the end of 2025, followed by optimization phases before transitioning to mass manufacturing. This initiative marks a significant step toward achieving utility-scale quantum computing, with Xanadu’s recent demonstration of the Aurora quantum computer in Nature showcasing modular and scalable capabilities.