Insider Brief:
- Quobly demonstrated FD-SOI technology as a cost-efficient and scalable platform for quantum processors, using traditional CMOS manufacturing capabilities from industry leaders like STMicroelectronics, GlobalFoundries, and Samsung.
- Quobly’s platform uses silicon spin qubits, which feature microsecond clock speeds, over 99% fidelity, and compact unit cell sizes of ~100nm², making them ideal for scaling quantum systems.
- FD-SOI advantages include strong electrostatic control for precise qubit manipulation, reduced variability for consistent qubit performance, and low power consumption to minimize heat generation in cryogenic environments.
- Quobly co-integrated electron and hole qubits on FD-SOI for enhanced performance and demonstrated a standard cell for two-qubit gates, contributing to the development of scalable and fault-tolerant quantum processors.
PRESS RELEASE — In a recent release, Quobly, a French quantum computing startup, has announced a development in the scalability of quantum computing. The company has demonstrated the potential of FD-SOI (Fully Depleted Silicon on Insulator) technology as a cost-efficient and commercially viable platform for quantum processors. According to the release, this work builds on decades of semiconductor infrastructure, aligning with Quobly’s fabless model to lean in on traditional CMOS manufacturing capabilities provided by global leaders like STMicroelectronics, GlobalFoundries, and Samsung.
FD-SOI as a Quantum Computing Platform
Silicon spin qubits, which encode quantum information using the spin of electrons in silicon, are central to Quobly’s platform. These qubits are compatible with existing semiconductor manufacturing technologies, indicating they may provide a scalable and cost-effective path toward commercial quantum computing. As noted in the release, a few of their capabilities include clock speeds in the microsecond range, over 99% fidelity in one- and two-qubit gate operations, and compact unit cell sizes of approximately 100nm².
Recent research demonstrates FD-SOI’s suitability for quantum processors. The technology offers advantages such as strong electrostatic control, reduced variability, and low power consumption. This is notable, as strong electrostatic control allows precise manipulation of qubit states and improves gate operation fidelity, which is crucial for maintaining the accuracy of quantum computations. Reduced variability ensures consistent qubit behavior across large arrays, a key factor for scaling quantum processors to the millions of qubits needed for fault-tolerant systems. Meanwhile, low power consumption minimizes heat generation, which is vital in cryogenic environments where cooling power is limited and excess heat can disrupt qubit coherence and system stability.
Quobly’s FD-SOI platform co-integrates hole and electron spin qubits alongside cryogenic control electronics, establishing the foundation for a Quantum System-on-Chip (QSoC). The research highlights successful cryogenic operations, including high voltage gain, minimal noise, and robust tunnel coupling between quantum dots
Quobly’s collaboration with CEA-Leti, CEA-IRIG, and CNRS has been integral to these developments. Their work has yielded breakthroughs in ambipolar spin qubits, which leverage electrons’ long coherence times for memory and holes’ strong spin-orbit interaction for fast data processing. Additionally, these advancements address challenges such as device variability and self-heating, which are critical for scalable quantum computing.
At the International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM) on December 9, Quobly presented several milestones achieved with FD-SOI technology:
- Cryogenic Control Electronics: Featuring voltage gain up to 75 dB and exceptionally low noise levels, these electronics ensure precision in the harsh environment of quantum operations.
- Ambipolar Spin Qubits: The co-integration of electron and hole qubits on the same FD-SOI platform enhances performance, with electrons offering long coherence times (40 μs Hahn echo) and holes enabling ultra-fast data processing (1 μs manipulation speeds).
- Two-Qubit Gate Standard Cell: Using commercial FD-SOI technology, Quobly successfully demonstrated double quantum dot operations, a critical step toward scalable two-qubit gates.
According to the research, co-integrating these components on the same FD-SOI chip reduces complexity and power consumption.
Quobly’s approach reflects a larger movement within the industry to shift towards practical quantum computing. By adopting a fabless model, the company capitalizes on existing semiconductor investments while focusing on R&D and design innovation.
