The Intel Tunnel Falls chip, which is a significant advancement in quantum computing technology. It is a 12-qubit quantum dot gate chip that utilizes Intel’s advanced transistor fabrication capabilities, including extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) and advanced materials processing techniques. The chip operates based on the principles of a single electron transistor, and it can be fabricated with minimal modifications to a standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) logic processing line.
The chip, designed to harness silicon spin qubits, is the first of its kind to be made available to research institutes and universities. It is fabricated on 300-millimeter wafers, taking advantage of Intel’s cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities. The use of silicon spin qubits allows for a significantly smaller size compared to other types of qubits, with the Tunnel Falls chip measuring approximately 50 nanometers square. This compact size holds the potential for faster scalability in quantum computing systems.
The Intel Tunnel Falls chip represents a notable advancement in quantum computing technology, featuring 12-qubit quantum dot gates and leveraging Intel’s state-of-the-art transistor fabrication capabilities. It introduces silicon spin qubits and offers the benefits of a smaller form factor, paving the way for enhanced scalability in quantum computing applications.