Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SPINUS (Spin based quantum computer and simulator (SPINUS))
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-06-30
Quantum computers use the principles of quantum mechanics to perform computations. In a conventional computer, the information is encoded in bits that can carry either the value “0” or the value “1”. In contrast, quantum bits in a quantum computer can be in so-called “superposition states” that are combinations of “0” and “1”. Moreover, an effect called “quantum entanglement” allows quantum bits to be in highly correlated states that have no analogue in a classical computer. Using these effects, quantum computers can in principle solve certain tasks more efficiently than any classical computer – an effect called “quantum advantage”. One such task is quantum simulation, where on aims to predict the dynamics of a large, complex quantum system.
Since quantum-mechanical states are very fragile, quantum bits need to be highly protected from noise generated by their environment. Therefore, quantum computers typically require strong cooling or operation in vacuum. A notable exception are solid-state colour centres, for example the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centre in diamond, which can operate even at room temperature. This in principle allows one to build compact, robust, and easy-to-operate quantum computers with significantly reduced operation cost. Solid-state colour-centre quantum computers with a few qubits have already been demonstrated, but scaling these devices up to hundreds of qubits is challenging.
The SPINUS project tackles this challenge by developing new, modular designs for solid-state quantum computers and quantum simulators. The goal is to demonstrate a quantum computer with more than 10 fully programmable qubits at ambient temperatures and low error rates. In parallel, quantum simulators with more than 50 quantum units will be developed, thus entering the regime of "quantum advantage”. Moreover, SPINUS will identify pathways to scale-up solid-state quantum computers to over 100 qubits and quantum simulators to over 1000 quantum units within two years post-project. To reach these goals, SPINUS partners will develop innovative solutions for a variety of tasks, e.g.:
Improved material synthesis methods for diamond and silicon carbide.
Electrical readout methods that can surpass and replace the currently used optical readout.
A comprehensive software stack to control the quantum hardware, implement quantum gates, characterize the quantum devices, and assess the potential for quantum advantage.
Since quantum-mechanical states are very fragile, quantum bits need to be highly protected from noise generated by their environment. Therefore, quantum computers typically require strong cooling or operation in vacuum. A notable exception are solid-state colour centres, for example the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centre in diamond, which can operate even at room temperature. This in principle allows one to build compact, robust, and easy-to-operate quantum computers with significantly reduced operation cost. Solid-state colour-centre quantum computers with a few qubits have already been demonstrated, but scaling these devices up to hundreds of qubits is challenging.
The SPINUS project tackles this challenge by developing new, modular designs for solid-state quantum computers and quantum simulators. The goal is to demonstrate a quantum computer with more than 10 fully programmable qubits at ambient temperatures and low error rates. In parallel, quantum simulators with more than 50 quantum units will be developed, thus entering the regime of "quantum advantage”. Moreover, SPINUS will identify pathways to scale-up solid-state quantum computers to over 100 qubits and quantum simulators to over 1000 quantum units within two years post-project. To reach these goals, SPINUS partners will develop innovative solutions for a variety of tasks, e.g.:
Improved material synthesis methods for diamond and silicon carbide.
Electrical readout methods that can surpass and replace the currently used optical readout.
A comprehensive software stack to control the quantum hardware, implement quantum gates, characterize the quantum devices, and assess the potential for quantum advantage.
The research work in all five technical work packages is advancing according to schedule. Important achievements so far include:
Improved polarization sequences. The PulsePol polarization protocol has been improved. It can be used to initialize an ensemble of nuclear spins (to be used as a quantum simulator) through microwave control pulses that transfer population between the nuclear spins and an NV centre that is periodically reset. Furthermore, protocols for initialization of qubits in a quantum computer’s register have been developed, both using PulsePol and using techniques from optimal control theory.
Improved material synthesis. The project partners have achieved growth of Silicon Carbide layers with high control of the Carbon and Silicon isotopes and significantly improved surface quality. In diamond, the nanometre-thin NV-rich layers has been achieved.
Initialization, readout, as well as individual and global control of a large quantum simulator using 40 nuclear spins surrounding a single NV centre has been achieved.
Improved polarization sequences. The PulsePol polarization protocol has been improved. It can be used to initialize an ensemble of nuclear spins (to be used as a quantum simulator) through microwave control pulses that transfer population between the nuclear spins and an NV centre that is periodically reset. Furthermore, protocols for initialization of qubits in a quantum computer’s register have been developed, both using PulsePol and using techniques from optimal control theory.
Improved material synthesis. The project partners have achieved growth of Silicon Carbide layers with high control of the Carbon and Silicon isotopes and significantly improved surface quality. In diamond, the nanometre-thin NV-rich layers has been achieved.
Initialization, readout, as well as individual and global control of a large quantum simulator using 40 nuclear spins surrounding a single NV centre has been achieved.
The SPINUS project advances quantum simulation and computation by developing experimental platforms based on diamond and SiC, targeting >50 quantum units for simulation and >10 qubits for computation. These results exceed current capabilities by combining solid-state scalability with coherence properties that remain competitive with other hardware platforms. Its strategic alignment with EU initiatives such as the Chips Act, Quantum Flagship, and the expected European Quantum Act (2026) positions SPINUS to strengthen Europe’s industrial sovereignty along the quantum value chain. Early stakeholder feedback, collected at EQTC, Quantum Meets, and SPIE Quantum West, confirms market interest in SPINUS outputs.
SPINUS Deliverable 6.3 Exploitation roadmap draft (due in December 2025) will aggregate partners’ inputs collected via questionnaires, hereby aiming to map exploitable results to specific use cases and market domains. Partner-specific exploitation strategies will be explored, including potential revenue models and go-to-market approaches tailored to academic, RTO, and industrial stakeholders. The IP landscape, covering background, external, and expected foreground assets, will be assessed to identify licensing opportunities and ensure freedom to operate. By aligning technology outputs with industrially relevant pathways and embedding them in European supply chains, the project lays the foundation for long-term commercialization of quantum platforms based on diamond and SiC.
SPINUS Deliverable 6.3 Exploitation roadmap draft (due in December 2025) will aggregate partners’ inputs collected via questionnaires, hereby aiming to map exploitable results to specific use cases and market domains. Partner-specific exploitation strategies will be explored, including potential revenue models and go-to-market approaches tailored to academic, RTO, and industrial stakeholders. The IP landscape, covering background, external, and expected foreground assets, will be assessed to identify licensing opportunities and ensure freedom to operate. By aligning technology outputs with industrially relevant pathways and embedding them in European supply chains, the project lays the foundation for long-term commercialization of quantum platforms based on diamond and SiC.