May 18 2016
During the Quantum Europe conference held in Amsterdam, Belgian’s nanoelectronincs research center, imec declared that it is scaling up its research and development activities in quantum computing. The company would implement qubits and maintain nanoelectronic functionality for quantum computing, making use of its sophisticated silicon platform, which was founded within the agenda of its industrial affiliation program with further support from the EU through ECSEL projects like TAKE-5 and SENATE
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Generally viewed as a likely solution to difficult computing issues that are intractable on traditional PCs, quantum computing uses quantum physics to produce and control quantum states in electronic devices (qubits) to improve its performance over prevailing, ‘classical’ methods. Out of the numerous device proposals to implement qubit, those that are compatible with the present silicon technology would offer the best practical solution to interface with the exterior world.
The aim of imec’s initiative is to create a bridge between evolving quantum technology alternatives and the most progressive transistor technology, signifying a natural extension of its silicon platform. This would guarantee routes to prove the functionality of quantum computing that is well-suited with industries’ platform technologies.
Imec would support the transition of novel quantum technologies, from the Physics laboratory to technology feed in the supply chain by presuming a vital position in the quantum technologies ecosystem. Imec’s platform would assist in translating laboratory presenters to commercial products. It would be open for SMEs, Universities, and industrial partners of Imec’s quantum technologies programs.
The coming decades will be characterized by a wave of quantum technology based applications, ranging from communication, simulation and sensing, to computation. However, to enable this, the industry will need technical support to adopt and to integrate these new technologies into products and services. Imec’s industry relevant Si platform for the advanced technology nodes, is currently used to screen technology options for the 5nm nodes and beyond. The same platform is hence the ideal basis to start implementing quantum devices as quantum effects are becoming the starting point of developing a quantum platform.
Jo De Boeck, CTO, imec