
Europe consolidates quantum production and test
Two key quantum projects have started today to consolidate quantum production and test technologies to boost sustainability.
The Qu-pilot and Qu-test projects are hosted by AMIRES to support experimental production capabilities and open testing for quantum technologies in Europe. This follows a recent move to consolidate development of neutral ion Rydberg systems: Europe consolidates its Rydberg quantum computer
The Qu-Pilot consists of 21 partners from nine different countries aiming to develop and provide access to the first, federated European fabrication capabilities for quantum technologies, building on and linking together existing infrastructures in Europe. This includes VTT in Finland, Fraunhofer in Germany and imec in Belgium as well as Infineon in Germany.
This is the first stage of the capability innovation roadmap for providing experimental pilot production capabilities and a roadmap for transferring such capabilities to an industrial production environment. It will provide experimental production capabilities for quantum technologies in computing, communication and /or sensing through thirteen service-provider organizations available to users, including industry, in particular SMEs and contribute to developing European standards in the field.
Fraunhofer IPMS contributes its expertise in state-of-the-art, industry-compatible CMOS semiconductor fabrication in 300 mm wafer standard.
Qu-Pilot will provide services for the development of a European supply chain of quantum technologies, provide European industry, especially start-ups and SMEs, with the necessary innovation capacity, and make sure that critical IP remains within the EU. The initial service offering will be validated through use-cases with companies within the SGA. A minimum of 20 such use-cases are expected and of those 11 are already part of this Qu-Pilot.
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The second project Qu-Test brings together 13 service providers for a federated network of testbeds and 11 industrial users from the European quantum community. The network brings together competences and infrastructures across Europe to offer testing and validation services.
A first goal of this cooperation is to support the creation of a trusted supply chain through the validation of quantum devices, chips, components and systems by the testbed network as an independent third party.
A second goal is to discuss and agree on unified sets of parameters to characterize quantum devices. Methodologies and procedures will be harmonized among the partners of the testbed network in a step towards establishing standards for quantum technologies.
Qu-Test is aligned along three testbeds: quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing. In more detail, the Quantum Computing Testbed will measure, characterise and validate cryogenic quantum devices, cryogenic qubits such as superconducting and semiconducting qubits, photonics qubits and ion traps.
The Quantum Communication Testbed will characterize devices for Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Quantum Random Number Generation (QRNG) and provide design and prototyping services to support innovation in the supply chain of quantum communication technologies.
Finally, the Quantum Sensing Testbed will benchmark sensing and metrology instruments provided by industry and use a large suite of quantum sensors (clocks, gravimeters, magnetometers, imagers) to validate industrial use cases aiming at generating new business cases for quantum sensing and metrology devices. With additional services of IPR support, business coaching and innovation management, Qu-Test supports the European quantum industry.
