CMOS-based digital computing has given rise to ever-greater computational performance, big-data based business models and the accelerating digital transformation of modern economies. However, the increasingly larger amounts of data to be handled and the continuously growing complexity of today’s tasks for high performance computing (HPC) are becoming unmanageable, as data handling and energy consumption of high-performance computers, server farms and cloud services are reaching unsustainable levels. New concepts and technologies for high-performance computing (HPC) are necessary.
One such HPC technology is Quantum Computing (QC). QC utilizes “quantum bits” (qubits) to perform complex calculations fundamentally much faster than conventional digital-bit computing can. First demonstrators and quantum computer prototypes have been created using various types of quantum bits. Superconducting Josephson junctions (SJJs) have been shown to be extremely promising qubit candidates to achieve a significant, nonlinear increase of computational power with the number of qubits in a quantum computer. Industrial market-introduction of novel materials, devices, and characterization represents a great challenge yet opportunity for Europe to create a complete value chain for Josephson junction technology and QCs. Such a complete value chain will be a significant contribution to Europe’s technology sovereignty.
The MATQu project will validate technology options to produce SJJs on industrial 300 mm silicon-based process flows. The project addresses substrate technology, superconducting metals, resonator technology, through-wafer-via holes, 3D integration, and variability characterization. The substrate-, process- and test-compatibility will be assessed with respect to integration practices for qubits. Core substrate and process technologies with high quality factors, improved material deposition on large substrates, and increased critical temperature for superconducting operation, will be developed and validated.
Concerning substrate technology, process technology and tools, MATQu brings together major European actors in the field, including four large RTOs. The MATQu partners complement each other in an optimal manner across the value chain to create a substantial competitive advantage, e.g., faster time-to-market and roll-out of technologies and materials for better Josephson junctions for quantum computing.
This project leading to this application has received funding from the ECSEL Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No 101007322. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, Netherlands, Finland, Israel.