SiTe · Silicon Technology for Novel Semiconductor-Superconductor Hybrid Qubits

Silicon Technology for Novel Semiconductor-Superconductor Hybrid Qubits

The quantum information revolution aims at transforming information technology by engineering quantum systems, i.e. qubits, that can be used for quantum information processing allowing to perform computations currently intractable for classical computers. In the quest for such systems, solid-state qubits alongside trapped ions currently are the leading candidates. One of the most advanced solid-state technologies to date is based on superconducting quantum circuits, which makes use of Josephson tunnel junctions and their macroscopic quantum coherence between two superconducting islands. Due to recent advances in semiconductor-superconductor hybrid devices, novel semiconductor-superconductor-based qubit architectures have emerged, demonstrating improved properties compared to conventional superconducting quantum circuits, such as in-situ tunability while not being susceptible to magnetic noise. These novel hybrid qubits make use of the true microscopic particle transport within semiconductor-superconductor weak links. The main goal of the project is to unambiguously demonstrate SSH-based qubits as a viable and scalable platform for QIP by combining novel superconducting quantum circuits with advanced silicon-technology. Most of the current implementations of semiconductor-superconductor hybrid devices are based on semiconductor materials that are incompatible with current CMOS fabrication technology. Hence, the objectives of the project “Silicon Technology for Novel Semiconductor-Superconductor Hybrid Qubits” (SiTe) were to develop and characterize semiconductor-superconductor hybrid weak links solely based on silicon (Si), which have the advantage of being fully CMOS compatible and consisting entirely of crystalline materials. A further objective was to implement these Si-based weak links in novel superconducting quantum circuits, which will combine the good controllability of superconducting quantum circuits with the unique material quality of Si. Developing and implementing such devices will be a decisive landmark towards building larger quantum circuits, which will be a crucial step towards a vital roadmap for their application in quantum information processing. The work carried out within the SiTe project concluded that through further material improvements it should be possible to reproducibly fabricate semiconductor-superconductor hybrid weak links based purely on silicon, utilizing metal-silicide technology. However, integrating such devices in larger superconducting quantum circuits requires additional material characterization in order to enhance the induced superconductivity in the silicon channel.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз