Intel has made a significant advancement in quantum computing by demonstrating high fidelity and uniformity in single-electron control on spin qubit wafers. This achievement, as reported in a recent research paper, published in Nature, indicates a major step towards the scalability of silicon-based quantum processors, which are essential for the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers.
Quantum computing researchers at Intel Foundry Technology Research developed a 300-millimeter (mm) cryogenic probing process to collect high-volume data on the performance of spin qubit devices across full wafers, resulting in state-of-the-art uniformity, fidelity, and measurement statistics of spin qubits.
For an uninitiated, Spin qubits are a type of quantum bit, or qubit, which are the fundamental building blocks of quantum computers. They are based on the quantum property of electron spin. In classical computing, a bit can be in one of two states: 0 or 1. However, in quantum computing, due to the principle of superposition, a qubit like a spin qubit can be in a state that is a complex combination of both 0 and 1 simultaneously.
Spin qubits are particularly promising for quantum computing because they can be made using existing semiconductor manufacturing techniques, and they can potentially operate at higher temperatures than other types of qubits.
With this, Intel advances in controlling single-electron spins with high fidelity and uniformity across a wafer. This is significant because it suggests the possibility of scaling up the production of spin qubits using established semiconductor fabrication methods, which is a crucial step towards building practical quantum computers.
Intel is taking steps toward building fault-tolerant quantum computers by improving three factors — (1) Qubit density, (2) Reproducibility of uniform qubits, and (3) Measurement statistics from high volume testing.
Quantum computing researchers at Intel Foundry Technology Research developed a 300-millimeter (mm) cryogenic probing process to collect high-volume data on the performance of spin qubit devices across full wafers, resulting in state-of-the-art uniformity, fidelity, and measurement statistics of spin qubits.
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| Otto Zietz, quantum hardware engineer at Intel Corporation, stands near a quantum cryoprober in Hillsboro, Oregon. The cryoprober can plunge a 300- millimeter silicon wafer to the extraordinarily low temperature of 1.7 kelvins just a hair above absolute zero. (Credit: Intel Corporation) |
For an uninitiated, Spin qubits are a type of quantum bit, or qubit, which are the fundamental building blocks of quantum computers. They are based on the quantum property of electron spin. In classical computing, a bit can be in one of two states: 0 or 1. However, in quantum computing, due to the principle of superposition, a qubit like a spin qubit can be in a state that is a complex combination of both 0 and 1 simultaneously.
Spin qubits are particularly promising for quantum computing because they can be made using existing semiconductor manufacturing techniques, and they can potentially operate at higher temperatures than other types of qubits.
With this, Intel advances in controlling single-electron spins with high fidelity and uniformity across a wafer. This is significant because it suggests the possibility of scaling up the production of spin qubits using established semiconductor fabrication methods, which is a crucial step towards building practical quantum computers.
The key highlights from Intel's breakthrough include:
- The development of a 300-mm cryogenic probing process to collect high-volume data on the performance of spin qubit devices across full wafers.
- Achievement of 99.9% fidelity for qubits fabricated using CMOS manufacturing techniques.
- The potential for mass production and continued scaling of silicon-based quantum processors due to the high device yield and automated testing process.
Intel is taking steps toward building fault-tolerant quantum computers by improving three factors — (1) Qubit density, (2) Reproducibility of uniform qubits, and (3) Measurement statistics from high volume testing.
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| This 300-millimeter Intel silicon spin qubit wafer. In May 2024, Nature published an Intel research paper, "Probing single electrons across 300-mm spin qubit wafers," demonstrating state-of-the-art uniformity, fidelity and measurement statistics of spin qubits. (Credit: Intel Corporation) |
The concept of probing single electrons across 300-mm spin qubit wafers is a significant advancement in quantum computing. This method provides rapid feedback for optimizing the CMOS-compatible fabrication process, which is crucial for achieving high yield and low process variation.
This research is being conducted by Samuel Neyens and colleagues and demonstrates the application of CMOS industry techniques to the fabrication and measurement of spin qubits. The researchers successfully automated measurements of the operating point of spin qubits and probed the transitions of single electrons across full wafers. Their analysis of the random variation in single-electron operating voltages indicated that this fabrication process leads to low levels of disorder at the 300 mm scale.
This breakthrough is a key step towards scalable quantum computers capable of tackling real-world applications, as it leverages the mature chipmaking industry's methods for fabricating and testing conventional computer chips. The ability to probe single electrons with such precision is essential for the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers that require vast numbers of physical qubits.
The practical applications of probing single electrons in spin qubit wafers are still largely in the developmental stage, but the technology holds significant promise for the future of quantum computing. The ability to probe single electrons with high precision is crucial for creating scalable quantum computers, which could revolutionize various fields by performing complex computations much faster than traditional computers.
This research is being conducted by Samuel Neyens and colleagues and demonstrates the application of CMOS industry techniques to the fabrication and measurement of spin qubits. The researchers successfully automated measurements of the operating point of spin qubits and probed the transitions of single electrons across full wafers. Their analysis of the random variation in single-electron operating voltages indicated that this fabrication process leads to low levels of disorder at the 300 mm scale.
This breakthrough is a key step towards scalable quantum computers capable of tackling real-world applications, as it leverages the mature chipmaking industry's methods for fabricating and testing conventional computer chips. The ability to probe single electrons with such precision is essential for the development of fault-tolerant quantum computers that require vast numbers of physical qubits.
The practical applications of probing single electrons in spin qubit wafers are still largely in the developmental stage, but the technology holds significant promise for the future of quantum computing. The ability to probe single electrons with high precision is crucial for creating scalable quantum computers, which could revolutionize various fields by performing complex computations much faster than traditional computers.
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