Plans to develop the field of quantum computing have received a boost as researchers from the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering have joined a £6.5-million consortium.

Innovate UK will provide the funding for consortium, which will be shared between its seven members, led by sureCore, to jointly develop advanced cryogenic semiconductor IP.

Quantum computers, combined with specialist algorithms, have the power to transform computing efficiency. With the massive boost in processing power, they can address problems in disciplines spanning fundamental science, pharmaceuticals, finance, logistics and AI.

The University of Glasgow, along with spinout company Semiwise, will provide the consortium with their expertise to drive growth in the quantum computing industry. The groups will work to reduce the constraints associated with interconnects, thus enabling efficient qubit/system scaling.

Professor of Quantum Technologies and lead of the Quantum Circuits Group at the University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering Martin Weides said: “The development of cryoelectronics for quantum computing combines scientific challenge, intellectual beauty, and practical utility.

“The University of Glasgow is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in quantum technology, from fundamental understanding through to translating world-changing technologies to industry, and our Centre for Quantum Technology plays a fundamental role in the UK National Quantum Technology Programme.”

Most leading quantum computing platforms utilise qubits or components that operate at cryogenic temperatures. The key challenge for these platforms is the lack of availability of suitable control circuitry capable of operating at the cryogenic temperatures needed to manage qubits operation.

Currently, the control circuitry is located remotely from the qubits and connected by expensive and bulky cabling in order to avoid the temperature extremes needed by the qubits. The amount of cabling required for all the qubits presents a fundamental barrier to the scaling of quantum computing, aside from the inherent latency impact.

The obvious solution is to co-locate the control electronics with the qubits in the cryostat but this means that both must be kept at ultra-low temperatures; in some implementations down to near absolute zero.

The first step is accurately modelling how transistors work at these low temperatures. This is being done by the University of Glasgow spin-out Semiwise and the QC and microelectronic research groups at the University of Glasgow.

Recommended

• Leader Insights | Transforming the BBC with responsible AI & ML
• Elon Musk could sell 10% of his Tesla stock following Twitter poll
• Tesco Bank signs with Pawprint to reduce carbon footprint

The consortium’s organisations provide the core competencies needed to develop this cryo-tolerant IP. This would then be available under licence for companies to create their own Cryo-CMOS chip solutions using it.

Dr Hadi Heidari, Senior Lecturer and lead of the University’s Microelectronics Lab, added: “We are delighted to be working with our consortium partners to deliver Cryo-CMOS design and implementation for two quantum computing platforms and to train the next generation of researchers in cryogenics and microelectronics for quantum.”

By working as a team, the project expects to be able to achieve results in less than three years rather than the many years it would take working as individuals.

Get the latest news from DIGIT direct to your inbox

Our newsletter covers the latest technology and IT news from Scotland and beyond, as well as in-depth features and exclusive interviews with leading figures and rising stars.

We will keep you up to date on the pivotal issues impacting the sector and let you know about key upcoming events to ensure that you don’t miss out on what’s going on across the Scottish tech community.

Click here to subscribe.