imec: Semiconductor-based quantum pilot line ‘SPINS’ launched with EU support

Quantum computing has become a highly strategic domain with economic and societal relevance rising sharply. Applications vary from breakthroughs in drug discovery and materials science to ultra-secure communications and next-generation navigation systems.

However, a gap remains between current quantum research and manufacturable quantum processors to enable significant quantum applications. Scaling the number of stable qubits (to as much as one billion) is key to building reliable and fault-tolerant quantum computers.

Given the technological complexity, including cryogenic operation, ultraprecise control electronics and highly specialized fabrication processes, and given the strategic importance of quantum chips, the EU Chips Act has established six complementary quantum pilot lines, each focused on a distinct hardware platform and collectively advancing quantum technologies in the space of quantum computing, communications and sensing.

Within this portfolio, SPINS is the pilot line dedicated to semiconductor‑based spin qubits, with a primary focus on delivering quantum chips for quantum‑computing applications.

Imec coordinates this new pilot line efforts and leads the European consortium of 25 partners, ranging from RTOs like Fraunhofer, VTT and CEA-Leti, industry (both large enterprises like Infineon and Siltronic as well as SMEs and startups) and academic groups (like TU Delft and University of Jyväskylä), bringing in complementary knowledge and skills, with the goal of translating the strategic framework of the EU Chips Act into concrete actions.

The first actions of the SPINS-consortium include process and design optimization to establish a robust foundation for scalable, stable, and high-performing spin qubits, all on three different technology platforms: Si/SiGe, Ge/GeSi, and SOI. SPINS aims to establish a lab-to-fab route for this technology via multi-project wafers (MPW) and standardized quantum process design kits (PDKs), which lower entry barriers for startups and SMEs in semiconducting quantum technology and lay the foundations for European companies to build quantum know-how early on. 

Kristiaan De Greve, coordinator SPINS: “Scaling qubits requires an extremely controllable environment and solid manufacturing processing, in view of the extreme sensitivity of qubits to environmental noise. These challenges require both the accuracy and control that is only present in state-of-the-art semiconductor cleanroom infrastructure, combined with the research and innovation mentality to adjust such an environment to address these sensitive qubits. At imec, we’ve been creatively addressing complex problems with advanced semiconductor manufacturing for over 40 years. By bundling the expertise of our European consortium partners in this quantum pilot line, we will speed up the development of high-TRL semiconductor qubits and thereby enable larger-scale quantum systems made in Europe.”

Complementary tracks of the European quantum efforts, next to the semiconductor-based pilot line, include pilot lines on photonics for quantum ‘P4Q’ (coordinated by University of Twente, NL) – to which imec is also contributing, ion trap qubits ‘CHAMP-ION’ (coordinated by SAL, AT), superconducting qubits ‘SUPREME’ (coordinated by VTT, FI), diamond quantum chips ‘DIREQT’ (coordinated by CNR, IT) and neutral atoms ‘Q PLANET’ (coordinated by Pasqal, FR).

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