Intel Hits Key Milestone in Quantum Chip Production Research

Rhea-AI Summary

Intel has achieved a significant milestone in quantum computing with the highest yield of silicon spin qubit devices, demonstrating a 95% yield rate across a 300mm silicon wafer. This success, leveraging Intel's transistor manufacturing technology, allows for greater uniformity and opens pathways for scaling quantum chips critical for commercial quantum computers. The research utilized Intel's cryoprober and second-generation silicon spin test chip, resulting in over 900 single quantum dots and 400 double dots that can be characterized rapidly at extremely low temperatures.

Positive

• Achieved 95% yield rate of silicon spin qubit devices.
• Demonstrated largest quantum dot arrays with over 900 single quantum dots.
• Utilized established transistor manufacturing technology for quantum chip fabrication.

Negative

• None.

Intel demonstrates exceptional yield of quantum dots arrays, showing promise for large-scale qubit production using transistor fabrication technology.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Intel Labs and Components Research organizations have demonstrated the industry’s highest reported yield and uniformity to date of silicon spin qubit devices developed at Intel’s transistor research and development facility, Gordon Moore Park at Ronler Acres in Hillsboro, Oregon. This achievement represents a major milestone for scaling and working towards fabricating quantum chips on Intel’s transistor manufacturing processes.

A photo shows Intel's fully processed 30-millimeter silicon spin qubit wafer. (Credit: Intel Corporation)

The research was conducted using Intel’s second-generation silicon spin test chip. Through testing the devices using the Intel cryoprober, a quantum dot testing device that operates at cryogenic temperatures (1.7 Kelvin or -271.45 degrees Celsius), the team isolated 12 quantum dots and four sensors. This result represents the industry’s largest silicon electron spin device with a single electron in each location across an entire 300 millimeter silicon wafer.

Today’s silicon spin qubits are typically presented on one device, whereas Intel’s research demonstrates success across an entire wafer. Fabricated using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, the chips show remarkable uniformity, with a 95% yield rate across the wafer. The use of the cryoprober together with robust software automation enabled more than 900 single quantum dots and more than 400 double dots at the last electron, which can be characterized at one degree above absolute zero in less than 24 hours.

Increased yield and uniformity in devices characterized at low temperatures over previous Intel test chips allow Intel to use statistical process control to identify areas of the fabrication process to optimize. This accelerates learning and represents a crucial step toward scaling to the thousands or potentially millions of qubits required for a commercial quantum computer.

Additionally, the cross-wafer yield enabled Intel to automate the collection of data across the wafer at the single electron regime, which enabled the largest demonstration of single and double quantum dots to date. This increased yield and uniformity in devices characterized at low temperatures over previous Intel test chips represents a crucial step toward scaling to the thousands or potentially millions of qubits required for a commercial quantum computer.

“Intel continues to make progress toward manufacturing silicon spin qubits using its own transistor manufacturing technology,” said James Clarke, director of Quantum Hardware at Intel. “The high yield and uniformity achieved show that fabricating quantum chips on Intel’s established transistor process nodes is the sound strategy and is a strong indicator for success as the technologies matures for commercialization.

“In the future, we will continue to improve the quality of these devices and develop larger scale systems, with these steps serving as building blocks to help us advance quickly,” Clarke said.

Full results of this research will be presented at the 2022 Silicon Quantum Electronics Workshop in Orford, Québec, Canada on Oct. 5, 2022.

For further exploration, you can read about Intel Labs’ research in quantum computing and other breakthroughs in hot qubits, cryogenic chips, and its collaboration with QuTech.

About Intel

Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) is an industry leader, creating world-changing technology that enables global progress and enriches lives. Inspired by Moore’s Law, we continuously work to advance the design and manufacturing of semiconductors to help address our customers’ greatest challenges. By embedding intelligence in the cloud, network, edge and every kind of computing device, we unleash the potential of data to transform business and society for the better. To learn more about Intel’s innovations, go to newsroom.intel.com and intel.com.

© Intel Corporation. Intel, the Intel logo and other Intel marks are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221005005663/en/

Laura Stadler

1-619-346-1170

laura.stadler@intel.com

Source: Intel

FAQ

What recent achievement did Intel announce regarding silicon spin qubits?

Intel announced achieving a 95% yield rate for silicon spin qubit devices, marking a significant milestone for scaling quantum computing.

How many quantum dots did Intel isolate in their recent tests?

Intel isolated over 900 single quantum dots and more than 400 double dots in their recent tests.

Where did Intel conduct its research on quantum dots?

Intel conducted its research at the Gordon Moore Park facility in Hillsboro, Oregon.

What technology did Intel use to achieve high yield in quantum dot fabrication?

Intel used extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography and its cryoprober for testing at cryogenic temperatures.

When will Intel present the full results of its research on quantum computing?

Intel will present the full results at the Silicon Quantum Electronics Workshop on October 5, 2022.