Infineon Technologies AG has been selected to contribute its expertise on the joint project “German Quantum Computer based on Superconducting Qubits” (GeQCoS) together with leading scientists from five research institutes in Germany to drive forward the development and industrialization of quantum computing.
The aim of the project, funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research with 14.5 million euros, is to develop a groundbreaking quantum processor based on superconducting qubits and demonstrate its special capabilities on a prototype within four years.
“Quantum computing has reached the point where we now need to translate the science into practical application,” says Sebastian Luber, Senior Director of Technology & Innovation at Infineon. “This, however, requires improvements to the features of quantum processors, and it must become possible to manufacture them on an industrial scale. The trick is to move forward, even if it is not yet clear which technology is best suited. We look forward to working with top scientists in the field of quantum computing in Germany. Infineon is bringing its expertise as a semiconductor manufacturer to the project, highly skilled in scaling and manufacturing processes. Methods for the mass production of micro-structures, while maintaining consistent quality, are also needed for qubits,” says Luber.
“If we in Germany and Europe don’t want to be dependent for this future technology solely on American or Asian know-how, we must move forward with the industrialization now,” explains Luber.
Working together to achieve this are scientists at the Walther Meißner Institute (WMI) of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities and the Technical University of Munich, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), the Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid.
Infineon has already developed a novel ion trap quantum processor chip together with experimental physicists from the University of Innsbruck and is collaborating with other partners to lay the foundation to spread and apply quantum technologies. Setting the course for European value creation potential
The project lays the foundation for implementing the current federal initiative to build a quantum computer “made in Germany”. The aim is to create a nationwide network for superconducting qubits in close cooperation between science and industry.