Qutech may have solved the quantum

Qutech may have solved the quantum computer’s nasty cable problem

Cables are getting in the way of building more powerful quantum computers. By creating qubits that work above absolute zero, Qutech and Intel raise hopes of integrating quantum hardware and their classic control electronics.

Paul van Gerven

Qutech has managed to control qubits in silicon at temperatures over 1 kelvin. Normally, the information stored in qubits is quickly lost when they warm up to temperatures slightly above absolute zero.  e achievement opens up the possibility to integrate qubits and their control electronics into a single chip – a quantum integrated circuit.

In current quantum computers, qubits are connected with cables to control electronics outside the cryogenic vessel.  is is no longer feasible when working with millions of qubits – the number needed to build a quantum computer that’s capable of the magic everyone is rooting for. “ e current status of quantum technology is comparable to that of classical technology in the 1950s. At that time, every component had to be soldered together, which became impracticable for ever-larger electrical circuits,” explains Qutech principal researcher Menno Veldhorst.  e solution, of course, proved to be the integration of electronic components, along with planar process technology. Packing qubits and control electronics together on a single substrate would similarly solve the quantum computer’s ‘cable problem’.

Much more practical

 e caveat is that the qubits and control electronics will have to operate at the same temperature, and conventional electronics doesn’t like the cold. Fortunately, Qutech and Intel already developed a chip that can control qubits at low temperatures. Nonetheless, the qubits will have to leave their comfort zone as well.

“ at’s exactly what we’ve achieved at Qutech in collaboration with Intel.  is is

The (unfi nished) road to a quantum integrated circuit.

the  rst time that we’ve been able to control qubits in silicon at a higher temperature, and above one kelvin.  e increase in temperature may seem like a small step, but it’s a huge leap when it comes to the available cooling capacity. Furthermore, at these temperatures, the qubits no longer have to work in a vacuum but can be immersed in a liquid, which makes everything much more practical,” says Luca Petit,  rst author of the study published in Nature.

Big step

What’s more, the researchers used the same silicon that the semiconductor industry uses, and they processed it with the same standard production technology.  is wasn’t trivial, explains second author Gertjan Eenink. “In order to work at a higher temperature, we had to make improvements at all stages of the experiment. We’ve created silicon qubits that can be isolated from unwanted interactions.”

Petit adds: “Performing quantum calculations at 1.1 kelvin depended on us reducing all possible sources of noise and developing measurement procedures that are temperature resistant. It was a fantastic moment when everything came together and we were able to perform quantum operations with two silicon qubits at this temperature for the  rst time.”  e next step will be to actually integrate quantum hardware and classic control electronics onto a single chip. “In 2015, we demonstrated two veri able qubits in silicon for the  rst time. Now, in 2020, we’ve achieved the same feat at practical temperatures. In another  ve years from now, we might already have quantum integrated circuits.  at would be a really big step towards the future quantum computer.”

For the industry by experts in the industry

Development Manager Stefan Vossen of Hittech Multin highlights: “It’s important for us to find trainings that are taught by people with deep roots and experience in the high-tech domain. That’s really why we turned to High Tech Institute. Their trainings are designed for the industry by experts in the industry.”

Hittech Multin specializes in the development and production of mechatronic products for the medical, semiconductor, measurement and analytical industries.

hittech.com hightechinstitute.nl/electronics

Anton van Rossum anton.van.rossum@ir-search.nl

Ask the headhunter

T.C. asks:

After a career in research and development, I’ve been working as a business development manager at a large technology group for over ten years now. In my position, I’m co-responsible for the strategy and future of the company and I work with industrial partners on con dential advanced technology projects. As such, I report directly to the CEO.

It’s an exciting job, but I’m gradually ready for a “change of scenery” – something new, although I’m not actively looking around. Recently, I came across an interesting management vacancy at a chip company in wireless technology and I took the liberty to apply.  e position has everything I’m looking for and for which I’m quali ed: management, microelectronics and business in the IoT domain. Because it’s in the same  eld I’ve been in for years, this is very interesting to me.

After a few weeks, I received a short rejection e-mail, completely unmotivated.  is came as a big surprise to me as it should be clear to them that I’m a top candidate for the job. I contacted someone from HR, but that brought me nothing. According to him, my CV wasn’t speci c enough and it lacked su cient leads. I then explained to him that I can’t be expected to include a more detailed description as this would reveal all my company’s strategic activities.

I remain interested in the position, however, and am not ready to give up. After all, the vacancy is still on the company’s website. Please advise.

The headhunter answers:

Reading your résumé, I notice very few links to the function advertised. Fifteen years ago, you worked in the same industry the company is operating in, but after that, I don’t see anything relevant anymore. It does strike me that you’ve described your last job – which you’ve had for ten years according to your CV – in just four lines.  at’s not much seeing as it’s the most relevant period in your employment history!  is becomes even more striking compared to the many pages you spend describing your prior job. I get that you’re reluctant to reveal your company’s secrets, but you’ve been working there for ten years and you should certainly be able to give more information about past projects and results.

If you ever want to change jobs, you’ll have to provide insight into your responsibilities and results. If you don’t, no one will invite you for an interview. You really should give more information – without becoming indiscreet of course. How else do you think you’re going to get to the table? You need to make clear in your CV that you  t the pro le. Only addressing this in the motivation letter isn’t enough. When you have the ten years of people and business management experience required by the job, your résumé should mention this.  is also applies to your familiarity with certain technologies.

Take the job requirements seriously. After all, many applicants

Take the job requirements seriously

don’t  t the pro le at all. You need to put some e ort in to get on the “yes” stack. With this vacancy, I doubt whether you still stand a chance since you’ve already been rejected. But it would be very clumsy, to say the least, if you ruined your chances by not bothering to submit a serious résumé.