Housing for quantum processor developed

GERMAN PHYSICISTS Stephan Schultz and Ferdinand Schmidt-Kaler from Ulm University have designed a casing for future quantum computers.

Their theories could enable the manufacture of the world's first quantum processors to available in any volume, solving at least one of numerous challenges that lie ahead before quantum processing becomes a regular thing in high-end scientific computing.

A prototype of a three-dimensional linear microchip case stores individual Ca+ ions, in a configuration resembling a set of pearls on a pearl necklace, thanks to electrical fields which keep every ion in place.

Each and every ion represents a quantum bit and information is gathered optically from individual ions by means of laser pulses.

Processor of tomorrow?

The chip packaging resembles the housing of microprocessors of today, but the way quantum computers work and the way information is extracted is fundamentally different. The chip itself is 11mm2 big, and keeps 64 electrodes working at 24MHz. The innards of the chip are kept in ultra-high vacuum, in order to be able to isolate the Ca+ ions. µ

L'INQ
News about the project (in German)