Germanium quantum processors: more, robust, available

Introduction

Quantum computers promise to enable a computing power far beyond the capabilities of modern-day classical and supercomputers and are expected to revolutionise research in, among others, chemistry, medicine, and materials research. However, a quantum computer capable of solving useful problems will require millions of high-quality quantum bits (qubits) working together.

Current Qubit Platforms

Currently, there are several qubit hardware platforms that are being studied and commercialised. This commercialisation mainly focuses on:

• Superconducting transmon qubits
• Photonic qubits
• Qubits made with trapped ions

Although these platforms enabled the first breakthroughs in quantum computing research and are developing steadily, the large size of the qubit systems may hamper their scaling towards the millions of qubits required for useful quantum computations.

Project Overview

Groove will overcome the scaling problem that most quantum bit platforms will face by focusing on the semiconductor germanium platform. Germanium qubits stand out due to:

1. A small footprint
2. Well-defined, long-lived qubit states
3. Compatibility with semiconductor manufacturing

This is highly promising for scalability.

Development Goals

We will develop high-yield, robust qubits and scale up to 16 qubits, which we will make available in the cloud. In parallel, we will write a business plan and prepare the launch of a start-up company already during the grant period, given the strong commercial potential of this technology.

Contribution to the EU Ambition

Our project will greatly contribute to the EU ambition of being in the forefront of the second quantum revolution by enabling a revolutionary technology fulfilling current and future market needs.