#France #Quantum Computing #Grenoble #Quobly #FD-SOI

Quobly's Landmark Progress in Quantum Computing

Quobly, a prominent startup specialized in quantum computing from France, has recently made headlines by announcing a significant milestone that promises to transform the quantum computing landscape. On December 9, 2024, they reported that FD-SOI technology could serve as a viable platform for scalable commercial quantum computing solutions, leveraging existing semiconductor manufacturing facilities.

The adoption of semiconductor technology is crucial because it has already proven its efficacy in making traditional computers more affordable and accessible. Quobly believes that this same technological foundation could revolutionize the quantum computing space, rendering it more commercially viable and cost-effective.

The Technology

At the heart of Quobly's innovation are silicon spin qubits, which exhibit remarkable characteristics that can support fault-tolerant quantum supercomputers. These qubits demonstrate clock rates in the microsecond range and boast a reliability exceeding 99% for one and two-qubit gate operations. Moreover, they offer extraordinarily compact cell sizes—down to a mere hundredth of 100 nm².

Quobly's approach is particularly innovative due to its fabless model that capitalizes on the existing infrastructure in the semiconductor industry. They are focused on FD-SOI (Fully-Depleted Silicon on Insulator), a commercially accessible CMOS technology produced by industry giants like STMicroelectronics, GlobalFoundries, and Samsung.

Collaboration with Leading Research Institutions

Quobly's recent work, showcased during the International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM), emphasizes crucial challenges encountered while scaling up quantum systems. In collaboration with esteemed research entities like CEA-Leti, CEA-IRIG, and CNRS, Quobly has demonstrated vital building blocks of a quantum computer using commercially available FD-SOI technology.

They have successfully tested their systems under cryogenic conditions, ensuring digital and analog performance characteristics are aligned with established circuit layout guidelines. For instance, they conducted single qubit operations using hole-spin and electron-spin qubits via the CEA-Leti pilot facility. This ambipolar platform enhances system performance by utilizing the long coherence times of electrons for memory while enabling rapid data processing through strong spin-orbit interaction of holes.

Groundbreaking Achievements

Some of the remarkable achievements realized so far include:

• - Cryogenic Control Electronics: Voltage gains reaching up to 75 dB with noise levels as low as 10^-11 V²·μm²/Hz, and a threshold voltage variability of just 1.29 mV·μm.
• - Ambipolar Spin-Qubits: Co-integration of hole and electron qubits using FD-SOI technology, featuring manipulation speeds of 1 µs for holes and a 40 µs coherence time (Hahn Echo) for electrons.
• - Two-Qubit Gate Standard Cell Demonstration: Showcasing dual quantum dot operations with commercially available FD-SOI components—an essential step toward operational quantum systems.

This impressive body of work not only positions FD-SOI technology as critical for scalable quantum processors but also solidifies Quobly's status as a leading contender in the race for cost-efficient and fault-tolerant quantum computing solutions. By co-integrating quantum and classical components within the same architecture, Quobly is paving the way for scalable Quantum System-on-Chip (QSoC) designs, aiming for millions of qubits in future applications.

The Road Ahead

Founded in Grenoble in 2022, Quobly is at the forefront of pioneering fault-tolerant quantum computing solutions using semiconductor qubits. Their unique blend of rigorous research and commitment to industrial production positions them excellently for a future where quantum technology is readily accessible. In 2023, Quobly raised an impressive €19 million, setting a new benchmark within the European quantum sector.

For those intrigued by the potential of quantum computing, Quobly’s evolving story is one to watch, promising exciting innovations in the field. For more information, visit Quobly's official website.