ARCTIC’s main ambition is to pursue large scale deployment of cryogenics in ICT applications, with special focus on developing solutions for controlling and interfacing scaled-up quantum computers. Quantum technologies will disrupt the ICT, but it is just the tip of the iceberg of cryo-enabled applications. European players broadly share this vision and with the 23 industrial (14 SMEs), 7 RTO and 6 academic partners in the ARCTIC project, we take the joint European step towards the era of cryogenic classical and quantum microsystems.
This proposal particularly aims to close an important gap: whereas research on qubits is long established, developing the control machinery is at least as important for scaled systems, yet is still in its infancy . The goal of ARCTIC is to bridge this void and develop scalable, reliable, innovative control infrastructure for cryogenic quantum processors. The (cryogenic) technologies under development in ARCTIC will also have applications in several different fields from sensing to communication and will therefore lead to important cross-fertilization that will strengthen the forming European ecosystem on cryogenic classical and quantum microsystems.
ARCTIC intends to establish a complete and comprehensive European supply chain for cryogenic photonics, microelectronics, and, in general, cryo-microsystems around the emerging quantum computing industry and different cryo-enabled ICT applications.
The high-level objectives of the project are:
• Enabling the joint development of participating European RTOs, material and tool providers, suppliers, and leading (application) companies to identify and advance the most promising emerging semiconductor technologies, which can integrate the best materials for cryogenic applications ranging from quantum computing to cryogenic electronics and photonics. Such an ecosystem will play a role in generating further innovations in this growing technology area.
• Extending the materials and technology roadmap by evaluating and demonstrating the applicability of emerging technologies that can provide scalable solutions for classical cryo-electronics and photonics and quantum technologies. The roadmap will help the stakeholders to take educated decisions with knowledge about technology and component availability.
• Broadening the applicability of microelectronic devices and circuits for cryogenic operation by (i) developing low-loss high-quality substrates and thin-films, (ii) by fabricating microelectronic devices and circuits tailored for cryogenic operation in collaboration with European foundries and in European cleanrooms, and (iii) by benchmarking them in terms of performance, noise, fidelity, and applicability for use in cryogenic ICT systems such as quantum computers. The development will open European technology to this new market opportunity and secure resilient component supply for application development supporting digitalization and the green deal in Europe.
• Enabling the European industry to maintain and expand its leading edge in components and processes for quantum computer development and strengthen world-leading and sustainable semiconductor manufacturing equipment and technologies.
• Training the next generation of workforce in state-of-the-art technologies. Universities working in ARCTIC will lead the education and outreach activities to the younger generation in collaboration with RTOs and industries, promoting skills supply to industry and society.
