Equal1, a global pioneer in silicon-powered quantum computing, says the certification of a commercial Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor process is a quantum computing milestone.
This achievement is a major step towards silicon-based, scalable spin qubit quantum technologies within conventional semiconductor fabrication.
Significant technological advancement in business operations
For the first time in a commercial method, the validation shows that it is possible to create several quantum dots with precisely controllable tunnel coupling between them.
Equal1 is pushing the integration of quantum computing inside current semiconductor frameworks by converting traditional multi-gate transistors into functional quantum-dot arrays, setting a standard for scalable spin qubit architectures.
The GlobalFoundries (GF) 22FDX Fully Depleted Silicon-On-Insulator (FD-SOI) platform, which is renowned for its complete classical System-on-Chip (SoC) integration, was used in this accomplishment.
Here is a thorough description of the CMOS method in light of Equal1’s most recent quantum computing accomplishment:
A commercial Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor method for quantum computing has been successfully certified by Equal1.
This represents a significant step towards the realisation of silicon-based, scalable spin qubit quantum technologies within the well-established parameters of conventional semiconductor production.
This accomplishment shows that building quantum systems with traditional semiconductor fabrication methods is possible.
The demonstration of the controlled generation of multiple tunnel-coupled quantum dots utilising the GlobalFoundries 22FDX FD-SOI (Fully Depleted Silicon-On-Insulator) platform is a crucial component of this validation.
This is regarded as a first in a business setting. As a baseline for scalable spin qubit designs, Equal1 is converting traditional multi-gate transistors into functional quantum-dot arrays.
The goal of this strategy is to directly incorporate quantum computing into current semiconductor architectures.
Given its reputation for complete conventional System-on-Chip (SoC) integration, the GlobalFoundries 22FDX FD-SOI platform is essential.
This industry-standard silicon platform, which was created for smooth SoC integration, is used in Equal1’s goal to provide a workable and expandable basis for quantum computing.
This brings quantum computing into line with traditional Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor technology, which has major scalability benefits.
Equal1 CEO Jason Lynch highlights that the company is tackling significant scalability and integration issues by utilising CMOS-compatible technology, opening the door for workable, large-scale quantum systems.
According to him, their work shows that scalable quantum systems are closer than most people think since they play to the advantages of the present semiconductor ecosystem.
Because silicon spin qubits are compatible with Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor technology and have inherent coherence, they are regarded as attractive candidates for scalable quantum computers.
Equal1’s solution is based on using a commercially available silicon platform, in contrast to other quantum computing systems that can rely on exotic materials and bespoke production techniques.
By incorporating quantum computing capabilities into well-established semiconductor manufacturing methods, which currently power a major portion of contemporary electronics, this demonstrates the potential for widespread use of these functionalities.
Each of the 29 NMOS and PMOS quantum cells on Equal1’s monolithic chip can host linear quantum-dot arrays that can accommodate up to three tunnel-coupled quantum dots and charge sensor configurations.
When tested at temperatures ranging from 70 mK to 1.2 K, these quantum dot arrays demonstrated strong performance and operational stability.
According to Ted Letavic of GlobalFoundries, the encouraging Equal1 results show that GF’s crucial 22FDX technology is becoming more popular as a quantum platform.
In particular, he highlights the platform’s back gate capabilities, which allows for an extra transistor control electrode for quantum applications to maximise performance.
In order to further optimise their designs and showcase new quantum achievements, GlobalFoundries is eager to collaborate with Equal1.
Equal1’s breakthrough is part of a bigger trend among silicon spin qubit startups to innovate to improve scalable quantum computing by pushing semiconductor manufacturing boundaries.
These endeavours are ushering in Quantum 2.0, a new era focused on producing scalable and practical quantum systems that work with present technology.
The goal of this new era is to create scalable and useful quantum systems that work well with the infrastructures of current technologies.
Conclusion
To put it briefly, the Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor process in this sense refers to the fabrication of silicon-based quantum devices such as spin qubits and quantum dots using standard semiconductor manufacturing processes, particularly the GlobalFoundries 22FDX FD-SOI platform. This strategy makes use of the CMOS technology’s maturity, scalability, and affordability to open the door for large-scale, useful quantum computing systems that can be combined with traditional electronics on a single chip.