Objective
Condensed-matter qubits, such as transmons and spin qubits, benefit from compatibility with silicon-based fabrication, offering a path toward scalable quantum processors that could eventually host millions of qubits. However, despite their scalability, these platforms remain fundamentally limited in coherence, with typical quantum coherence times in the range of 0.01 to 1ms. Here we propose a radically new qubit architecture that encodes quantum information in mechanical vibrations, targeting quantum coherence times in the 1–100ms range. This mechanical qubit is realized by coupling a high-frequency mechanical oscillator to an electron double quantum dot (DQD) qubit. The key to surpassing the coherence of conventional electronic qubits lies in operating within the ultrastrong coupling regime, where the interaction strength between the mechanical and electronic degrees of freedom becomes comparable to the mechanical frequency. In this regime, mechanical nonlinearities at the quantum level emerge, enabling the definition of robust two-level systems with enhanced coherence. The project will demonstrate the mechanical qubit concept using suspended graphene drums integrated with bilayer graphene DQDs and superconducting resonators for readout. These components will be fabricated using all-2D-material van der Waals heterostructures to suppress charge noise and maximize coherence. A tight feedback loop between theory, fabrication, and experiment will guide optimization, enabling systematic identification and mitigation of decoherence sources. As proof-of-concept, we aim to realize coherent control of the mechanical qubit, a two-qubit gate, and force quantum sensing protocols with unprecedented sensitivity. This novel qubit platform opens the path to scalable quantum computing with improved quantum coherence and integrated sensing functionality.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials two-dimensional nanostructures graphene
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering computer hardware quantum computers
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2025-PATHFINDEROPEN
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
08860 Castelldefels
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.