Argonne National Laboratory and Intel have partnered to deploy and run a 12-qubit quantum processor based on silicon quantum dots.
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What Did Argonne & Intel Achieve in Quantum Computing?
Developed by Intel and operated at Argonne, the 12-qubit silicon quantum dot processor is among the most advanced demonstrations of quantum dot qubits to date. Its successful deployment demonstrates that standard semiconductor manufacturing methods can be utilized to construct quantum computers at scale.
The collaboration combines Intel’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities with Argonne’s open-science expertise, drawing on decades of experience in silicon transistor manufacturing to advance quantum dot technology. The project was led by Q-NEXT, the Department of Energy’s National Quantum Information Science Research Center hosted at Argonne, with initial results published in Nature Communications.
“This collaboration between Argonne and Intel is a cornerstone of Q-NEXT. It shows the impact of a national quantum research center: Only at this scale can industry and discovery-driven organizations like the national laboratories combine their strengths to build such a complex system,” said David Awschalom, inaugural director of Q-NEXT.
What Are Quantum Dots?
Quantum dots confine particles such as electrons to spaces smaller than their natural wavelengths, forcing them into discrete, tunable energy states governed by quantum physics. Scientists can precisely control these energy levels by varying a dot’s size and material makeup. Building on single-electron demonstrations, researchers are now scaling quantum dot-based spin qubits for use in quantum computing and related technologies.
How Will Quantum Dots Scale to Useful Quantum Computers?
Scaling practical quantum computers will require systems with hundreds or millions of qubits. Intel is advancing the fabrication of larger quantum dot processors, while Argonne is studying how qubits interact and perform as systems grow. This feedback between physics research and device engineering is guiding the development of larger, more capable quantum dot systems.
Prior Argonne-Intel Collaborations
Argonne and Intel have collaborated on advanced computing initiatives, including the development of the Aurora exascale supercomputer and a semiconductor testbed to support algorithm testing activities at Q-NEXT.
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