Quantum Motion Joins Forces with GlobalFoundries to Revolutionize Semiconductor Technology

Insider Summary:

• Quantum Motion has showcased swift large-scale assessment of 1024 quantum dots on a silicon chip, achieving verification in under 5 minutes by utilizing commercially produced semiconductor methods from GlobalFoundries.

• The Bloomsbury chip, crafted on GlobalFoundries’ 22FDX® framework, merges qubits with control electronics and includes features such as cryogenic tuning and system-on-chip integration.

• Quantum Motion’s partnership with GlobalFoundries underscores the compatibility of silicon quantum chips with high-volume semiconductor production, suggesting the potential for industrial-scale manufacturing.

• Image Credit: Quantum Motion; Array of quantum chips created by Quantum Motion and produced by GlobalFoundries

PRESS RELEASE — Quantum Motion, a quantum computing scale-up located in the UK and founded by scholars from University College London and Oxford University, has successfully demonstrated prompt, large-scale characterization of quantum devices made using commercial semiconductor methods. This company has developed a silicon chip with an integrated array of 1024 quantum dots covering an area of under 0.1mm² and validated them in less than 5 minutes—at least 100 times faster than the current leading technology. The chips were created by GlobalFoundries, a premier semiconductor manufacturer, with whom Quantum Motion has formed a partnership to craft quantum processors grounded on a scalable silicon foundation.

This accomplishment, outlined in a peer-reviewed Nature Electronics publication, emphasizes the advantages of utilizing an established high-volume manufacturing platform for silicon quantum processors. Quantum Motion’s chip, named Bloomsbury, was produced on GlobalFoundries’ 300mm 22FDX® platform, leveraging its industry-leading capabilities, including power-efficient edge processing, a wider temperature range (1K and below), and system-on-chip integration. The back gate bias feature of FDX additionally facilitates smooth cryogenic tuning and control, offering a notable benefit over bulk silicon solutions for readout and control tasks.

The collaboration between Quantum Motion and GlobalFoundries showcases the power of merging deep quantum knowledge with top-tier semiconductor manufacturing. Quantum Motion functions as a fabless entity, bringing advanced quantum design expertise, whereas GlobalFoundries supplies the production capabilities necessary to manufacture silicon quantum processors at scale. This alliance guarantees that the designs initiated by Quantum Motion can be executed utilizing robust and reliable methods, paving the route for high-volume quantum chip manufacturing.

James Palles-Dimmock, CEO of Quantum Motion, expressed, “Our partnership with GlobalFoundries has allowed us to prove that scalable production techniques can meet the rigorous requirements of quantum computing. This success demonstrates that silicon-based quantum chips can be manufactured through established semiconductor methods, bridging the divide between quantum research and industrial-scale manufacturing.”

Ted Letavic, SVP and Corporate Fellow at GlobalFoundries, commented, “This partnership exemplifies how GlobalFoundries utilizes its unique technologies, such as our 22FDX technology platform, to foster advancements that will influence the future of quantum computing. We are highly optimistic about the outcomes exhibited by Quantum Motion, demonstrating that our production technology and advanced 22FDX platform are sufficiently robust to accommodate innovative quantum structures. We anticipate the continuation of our strong partnership with Quantum Motion to support their vision for a scalable monolithic quantum processor.”

Transitioning from today’s small quantum processors to large-scale quantum computers necessitates a method that can evaluate each qubit in a large array without requiring numerous input/output connections to the chip, much like conventional CPUs incorporate billions of transistors connected to a motherboard using only a few hundred input/output connections. The findings from Bloomsbury confirm that silicon-based quantum chips align with commercial semiconductor manufacturing processes, addressing critical obstacles to scaling up quantum computing. By integrating qubits and control electronics on the same chip, Quantum Motion is progressing towards its objective of developing functional quantum processors.

Quantum Motion aims to capitalize on Bloomsbury’s achievements and the GlobalFoundries collaboration, enhancing chip designs and advancing the levels of quantum/classical integration.

About Quantum Motion

Quantum Motion is innovating a groundbreaking technology platform: not merely a qubit, but a scalable assembly of qubits based on the ubiquitous silicon technology previously employed for manufacturing the chips found in smartphones and computers. The firm is building fault-tolerant quantum computing architectures that align with CMOS processes. Fault-tolerant quantum processors will facilitate the most powerful quantum algorithms, aiming to resolve problems currently deemed intractable across various fields, including chemistry, materials science, medicine, and artificial intelligence. The company employs a workforce of 60, comprising experts in quantum theory, engineering, and software. www.quantummotion.tech

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