Archer Materials (ASX: AXE) has achieved a key milestone on the journey to qubit demonstration by showing it can electrically-control its quantum device to enable an accurate read-out of quantum information.
The process – known as electrical gating within a quantum single electron transistor (SET) device – can boost the read-out capabilities of the company’s proprietary 12CQ quantum computing qubit processor chip.
Archer completed the work using carbon nano onions to significantly de-risk the read-out pathway for quantum carbon films.
Range of Temperatures and Conditions
The latest electrical measurements were performed under a range of temperatures and conditions.
This allowed Archer’s team to characterise a large number of SET devices, gain insight on SET scaled manufacturing, confirm reproducible device behaviour, and gain an accurate understanding of the quantum properties of key devices.
Archer deems this level of characterisation essential for advancing toward qubit demonstration, and for future engineering of the carbon films at scale while maintaining compatibility with conventional chip making processes.
Electron Spin Control
Qubit operation requires control of electron spins using microwave pulses, whereby the spins are read out shortly after.
Archer’s SET devices allow isolation of a single electron in the qubit, then read out the spin state electronically.
Work is currently underway to operate SET devices in magnetic fields to demonstrate that the spin state of the electron on the qubit can be read out, with initial testing scheduled for completion by year end.
Improved Read-Out Capabilities
Archer chief executive officer Dr Simon Ruffell said achieving read-out and control was critical for the qubit demonstration.
“The qubit is the foundation in building a full quantum chip and being able to show electrical gating within our quantum single SET devices helps us improve read-out capabilities,” he said.
“By using carbon film materials, we can boost the manufacturability of our quantum technology and achieve better integration with conventional chip-making processes.”
He said the path to qubit read-out was complementary to the electrical detected magnetic resonance method shown to be feasible earlier this year.
