Scientists say they have reached a “critical inflection point” after developing technology that makes silicon-based quantum processors more viable.
Quantum computing company Equal1 has created a quantum processing unit (QPU) that can be built using traditional semiconductor manufacturing processes. This negates the complexity and cost typically involved in producing quantum processors using exotic materials or complex techniques.
The company also developed what representatives called “the most complex quantum control chip yet developed.” This can operate at extremely low temperatures and paves the way for millions of qubits on a single chip, meaning it can handle a large number of quantum bits of information at once while keeping it stable and accurate for calculations.
By contrast, today’s most powerful quantum chips contain only thousands of qubits, are built with superconductors, and all require cooling to near absolute zero in order to perform quantum calculations.
Together, the new technologies “pave the way for the next phase of… Quantum computing And show that the fastest way to scale is to leverage existing silicon infrastructure,” Equal1 representatives said statement.
Quantum impractical matters
Building quantum chips is an extremely difficult and expensive process. Unlike regular computer chips, which rely on binary bits to process information as 1s or 0s, quantum chips use Qubitwhich is based on principles Quantum mechanics.
Qubits have special properties that allow them to exist in multiple states at once — a phenomenon called superposition — and work together in ways that classical bits cannot through a process called tangle. The resulting parallel processing allows quantum computers to solve problems far beyond the capabilities of classical systems.
However, qubits are incredibly fragile. They only work when they are kept in a coherent state, meaning they maintain their quantum state long enough to perform calculations. Cohesion is easily disrupted by environmental factors such as temperature changes or electromagnetic noise, hence the need for very low temperatures, to avoid interference.
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Typically, quantum chips are also made using exotic or specially designed materials such as superconducting metals, which require expensive and complex manufacturing processes. Equal1’s innovation is its use of silicon, one of the most abundant and widely used materials in the semiconductor industry.
Silicon provides a stable environment for qubits, especially when using a mixture of materials called qubits Silicon germanium (SiGe). In a study published on December 2 to a preprint database arXivEqual1 scientists explained that SiGe combines the stability of silicon with the ability of germanium to enhance electronic performance, making it well-suited for quantum applications. Importantly, SiGe chips could be produced using the same processes and fabs already used to make traditional computer chips, potentially making quantum processors. Cheaper and easier to expand.
Equal1 representatives said its SiGe 6-qubit array — the part of the chip in which qubits are created and controlled — has made advances in two key areas: the accuracy of quantum gate operations and the speed at which those operations are performed.
Specifically, the chip demonstrated a single-qubit gate accuracy of 99.4% with an operating speed of 84 ns and a two-qubit gate accuracy of 98.4% with an operating speed of 72 ns. High precision, or precision, in quantum gates reduces errors in calculations, while higher gate speeds reduce the risk of qubits losing their quantum properties during operations. These factors Determine the accuracy of quantum calculations The ability of qubits to maintain their quantum state long enough to complete complex operations.
“This result demonstrates the tremendous benefit of silicon qubits – the ability to achieve the performance required to scale in two key areas – the accuracy and speed of quantum gates.” Nodar Samkharadze, chief quantum engineer at Equal1, said in the statement.
Put a spin on it
To ensure reliable quantum operations, the Equal1 device uses “spin qubits.” Quantum bits encode information Electron spin state. In their study, the scientists said that qubits are particularly suitable for integration with silicon because silicon provides a stable environment for electron spin. This reduces the risk of qubits losing their precise quantum properties due to interference from their surrounding environment.
Equal1 has also developed a quantum control chip that uses a multi-tile architecture; This design divides the chip into multiple boxes that can operate semi-independently. This architecture is essential for scaling up quantum systems because it allows control functions to be distributed across the chip, avoiding bottlenecks that can occur when relying on a single processing unit.
The controller operates at 300 mK, which is a slightly higher temperature Absolute zero – Which allows it to manage qubits effectively while maintaining the necessary conditions for coherence. The controller also features artificial intelligence (AI)-based error correction technology, enabling real-time adjustments that maintain the stability and accuracy of quantum operations, Equal1 representatives said.
“Today marks a critical inflection point for Equal1 and the quantum computing industry,” Elena Blokhina, the company’s chief scientific officer, added in the statement. “Equal1 has always believed that silicon is a way to scale quantum computers, and today, with these world-leading results in qubits and control chips, we have taken a big step toward that vision.”