Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HTQC-Diagnostics (High-Throughput Quantum Chip Diagnostics)
Reporting period: 2023-08-01 to 2024-04-30
Computing power has grown exponentially for decades closely following Moore’s law but progress is slowing down and it is time for new ideas. Quantum computers based on qubits can extend the realm of possibilities unavailable to conventional computers based on bits. The market opportunity for quantum computers is huge, but the tools to transition from academic research to industry-grade quantum chip development are lacking. For example, diagnosing the quality of a quantum chip requires months of work by highly specialized quantum engineers in a full cryogenic lab. We are revolutionizing this practice with our Orange Quantum Diagnostics Systems. Once a quantum chip is fabricated, you just insert it, and the system will run a comprehensive set of proprietary diagnostic protocols to ensure deployment readiness. Our solution is fully automated and orders of magnitude faster than standard practices. With the EIC support, we will trigger Moore's law scaling for quantum computers.
Orange Quantum Systems accelerates the development, manufacturing and deployment of quantum computers by providing a diagnostic system for analyzing the quality and improving the performance of quantum chips. Our Quantum Chip Diagnostics System brings together all the necessary specific expertise in quantum device measurement & control, software & systems engineering, data analysis & quantum information processing together with control electronics, cryogenics and interconnects in a small footprint setup. The prototype of our current R&D focused single-chip diagnostics system (with a capacity of 2 chips/week & 5 qubits/chip) is already used by pilot customers and establishes a solid technological basis (TRL6) for this project. With EIC support, we will deliver two additional dedicated diagnostic systems (multi-chip with x100 higher capacity and high-throughput wafer-level with x10000 capacity) fully covering the emerging quantum computing value chain from lab to fab.
As Moore's Law is nearing end, the ongoing IoT and Big Data revolution are further increasing the pressure on environment and technology. It is estimated that by 2025, ICT can represent up to 10% of world’s electricity consumption which is equivalent to 500 dedicated nuclear plants. Meanwhile, newly emerging quantum computation can contribute significantly to the goals of the EU green deal, sustainable development and digital sovereignty. While EU quantum researchers are on par with their colleagues in US and China, the fact that Europe has been lagging behind in commercializing quantum technologies are currently being remedied by EU initiatives such as quantum Flagship (€1B) and national quantum plans (such as Germany: €2B, France: €1.8B Netherlands: €0.7B). With a strong development ecosystem, Europe has a promising edge in quantum technology. At the heart of this ecosystem, Orange QS aims to put our diagnostics system into the service of the European quantum industry.
By encoding knowledge and expertise of PhD level experimental physics in automated characterization and calibration protocols, we ensure that operators of quantum device diagnostics systems are no longer required to have a PhD, instantly making jobs in the emerging quantum industry more accessible, thereby reducing inequality and stimulating economic growth. We also contribute to extending Europe’s world leading position
in semiconductor equipment, materials and manufacturing solutions. We are developing a technology that is essential for the development of quantum devices and quantum computing technology in general. Therefore, our solution will facilitate the introduction of quantum computing resources on a large scale which is necessary to realize real world applications of quantum computing in addressing climate change, clean energy, health, and food production.
Orange Quantum Systems accelerates the development, manufacturing and deployment of quantum computers by providing a diagnostic system for analyzing the quality and improving the performance of quantum chips. Our Quantum Chip Diagnostics System brings together all the necessary specific expertise in quantum device measurement & control, software & systems engineering, data analysis & quantum information processing together with control electronics, cryogenics and interconnects in a small footprint setup. The prototype of our current R&D focused single-chip diagnostics system (with a capacity of 2 chips/week & 5 qubits/chip) is already used by pilot customers and establishes a solid technological basis (TRL6) for this project. With EIC support, we will deliver two additional dedicated diagnostic systems (multi-chip with x100 higher capacity and high-throughput wafer-level with x10000 capacity) fully covering the emerging quantum computing value chain from lab to fab.
As Moore's Law is nearing end, the ongoing IoT and Big Data revolution are further increasing the pressure on environment and technology. It is estimated that by 2025, ICT can represent up to 10% of world’s electricity consumption which is equivalent to 500 dedicated nuclear plants. Meanwhile, newly emerging quantum computation can contribute significantly to the goals of the EU green deal, sustainable development and digital sovereignty. While EU quantum researchers are on par with their colleagues in US and China, the fact that Europe has been lagging behind in commercializing quantum technologies are currently being remedied by EU initiatives such as quantum Flagship (€1B) and national quantum plans (such as Germany: €2B, France: €1.8B Netherlands: €0.7B). With a strong development ecosystem, Europe has a promising edge in quantum technology. At the heart of this ecosystem, Orange QS aims to put our diagnostics system into the service of the European quantum industry.
By encoding knowledge and expertise of PhD level experimental physics in automated characterization and calibration protocols, we ensure that operators of quantum device diagnostics systems are no longer required to have a PhD, instantly making jobs in the emerging quantum industry more accessible, thereby reducing inequality and stimulating economic growth. We also contribute to extending Europe’s world leading position
in semiconductor equipment, materials and manufacturing solutions. We are developing a technology that is essential for the development of quantum devices and quantum computing technology in general. Therefore, our solution will facilitate the introduction of quantum computing resources on a large scale which is necessary to realize real world applications of quantum computing in addressing climate change, clean energy, health, and food production.
The ultimate objective of the EIC 190152156 - HTQC-Diagnostics project is to develop a high-throughput Quantum Diagnostics System capable of testing quantum chips on an industrial scale. In this first phase of the project the objective was to design and build a demonstrator. Focus of this phase is to demonstrate that the system can handle multiple quantum chips in 1 test cycle.
A market survey & analysis was performed where potential customers were interviewed to identify their needs and determine the value a Quantum Diagnostics System provides to them. The resulting market report described the finetuned user requirements for the Quantum Diagnostics System in such a way that it will maximize the added value for the targeted market segments. This ensures that the developed product will be commercially viable.
It was demonstrated that the system designed, assembled, and built is fully operational and capable of characterizing two QPUs with 5 qubits each in one test cycle. The diagnostics software allowed us to report all the metrics of interest. It’s worth highlighting that the test time per chip (for executing diagnostics experiments) has reduced significantly from around one day per qubit at the start to 2-3 hours per qubit by the end of the demonstration phase, giving confidence that user required throughput of 150 qubits per 10 days can be achieved in the following phases. This is possible due to the automation efforts on the software side.
A market survey & analysis was performed where potential customers were interviewed to identify their needs and determine the value a Quantum Diagnostics System provides to them. The resulting market report described the finetuned user requirements for the Quantum Diagnostics System in such a way that it will maximize the added value for the targeted market segments. This ensures that the developed product will be commercially viable.
It was demonstrated that the system designed, assembled, and built is fully operational and capable of characterizing two QPUs with 5 qubits each in one test cycle. The diagnostics software allowed us to report all the metrics of interest. It’s worth highlighting that the test time per chip (for executing diagnostics experiments) has reduced significantly from around one day per qubit at the start to 2-3 hours per qubit by the end of the demonstration phase, giving confidence that user required throughput of 150 qubits per 10 days can be achieved in the following phases. This is possible due to the automation efforts on the software side.
Demonstrating Multichip Quantum Diagnostics System have resulted in the following proprietary deliverables:
- Detailed design documentation for each subsystem.
- Bill-of- Materials for the demonstrator system.
- Factory Acceptance Test and Site Acceptance Test procedures.
- Patents on quantum chip testing procedures as well their implementation.
As a result of the successful demonstration of the high-throughput Quantum Diagnostics System concept, the prototyping phase will be started. In this phase, the focus will be on increasing the number of qubits as well as the complexity of the quantum chip under test.
- Detailed design documentation for each subsystem.
- Bill-of- Materials for the demonstrator system.
- Factory Acceptance Test and Site Acceptance Test procedures.
- Patents on quantum chip testing procedures as well their implementation.
As a result of the successful demonstration of the high-throughput Quantum Diagnostics System concept, the prototyping phase will be started. In this phase, the focus will be on increasing the number of qubits as well as the complexity of the quantum chip under test.