IQubits · Project

Silicon Quantum Computing Chips That Work at Warmer Temperatures Using Standard Factory Processes

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Today's quantum computers need to be cooled to nearly absolute zero — colder than outer space — which makes them huge, expensive, and impractical. IQubits figured out how to build quantum bits (the basic units of a quantum computer) using the same silicon chip factories that already make your phone's processor. Their qubits work at 3 to 12 degrees above absolute zero, which sounds cold but is actually a hundred times warmer than what current quantum chips need. Think of it like moving from a giant industrial freezer to a regular home fridge — suddenly the whole thing becomes much cheaper and easier to scale up.

By the numbers

3-12 Kelvin

Operating temperature for qubits (100x warmer than current quantum chips)

22nm

FDSOI CMOS foundry node used for qubit fabrication

60-240 GHz

Spin control and readout circuit frequency range

10-20 ps

Spin control pulse duration

0.25-1 meV

Qubit coupling energies achieved

140 GHz

Maximum frequency of cryogenic measurement setup

8 partners, 6 countries

Consortium size and geographic spread

EUR 2,688,375

EU funding contribution

10nm

Gate half pitch for experimental scaled qubit structures

The business problem

What needed solving

Current quantum computers require cooling to millikelvin temperatures — thousandths of a degree above absolute zero — making them enormously expensive and physically massive. This cooling requirement is the single biggest barrier to making quantum computing commercially viable and scalable. Companies investing in quantum computing infrastructure face cooling costs that can dwarf the cost of the quantum processors themselves.

The solution

What was built

The team built silicon and SiGe spin qubits in commercial 22nm FDSOI CMOS foundry technology, along with integrated 60-240 GHz control and readout circuits on the same chip. They also delivered cryogenic measurement setups capable of testing at frequencies up to 140 GHz at temperatures down to 4 Kelvin.

Audience

Who needs this

Semiconductor foundries with 22nm FDSOI production capabilities looking to enter quantum computingQuantum computing hardware companies seeking warmer-operating qubit architecturesCryogenics equipment manufacturers developing next-gen cooling for quantum systemsHigh-frequency RF and mm-wave circuit design companies (60-240 GHz range)Cloud computing providers building quantum-as-a-service infrastructure

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Semiconductor Manufacturing

enterprise

Target: CMOS foundries and chip design houses

If you are a semiconductor foundry already running 22nm FDSOI production lines — this project demonstrated that your existing equipment can fabricate quantum computing chips. Instead of building entirely new fabrication facilities, you could add quantum chip production to your current lineup. The qubits were designed for commercial 22nm FDSOI CMOS foundry technology, meaning no exotic manufacturing processes required.

Quantum Computing Systems

any

Target: Quantum hardware startups and cryogenics companies

If you are a quantum computing company struggling with the cost and complexity of millikelvin cooling systems — this project built qubits that operate at 3-12 Kelvin, two orders of magnitude warmer than today's standard. This means simpler, cheaper cryogenic infrastructure. The project delivered cryogenic measurement setups validated to 140 GHz and 4 Kelvin.

Telecommunications & Electronics

mid-size

Target: Companies developing high-frequency RF and mm-wave components

If you are a telecom equipment maker working with 60-240 GHz frequency ranges — this project developed integrated control and readout circuits operating at those exact frequencies on FDSOI CMOS. The spin control pulses of 10-20 picoseconds and associated mm-wave circuit designs could feed directly into your high-frequency component portfolio.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or adopt this technology?

The project was funded with EUR 2,688,375 in EU contribution across 8 partners. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated with the coordinator (AGH University in Krakow, Poland). Since the qubit designs use commercial 22nm FDSOI CMOS foundry technology, adoption costs would primarily involve foundry access fees and design integration rather than building new fabrication lines.

Can this scale to industrial production?

The project was specifically designed with scalability in mind — qubits were built in commercial 22nm FDSOI CMOS foundry technology, which is already used for mass production of conventional chips. The team also verified scalability to 10nm dimensions through fabrication experiments. However, this remains at the research demonstration stage, not volume production.

What is the IP situation and how can I license it?

The project involved 8 partners across 6 countries (Canada, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania) including 2 industrial partners and 1 SME. IP ownership would be shared according to the consortium agreement. Contact the coordinator at AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow for licensing discussions.

How does the operating temperature compare to competitors?

Based on the project objectives, IQubits qubits operate at 3-12 Kelvin, described as two orders of magnitude higher than today's qubits (which typically require millikelvin temperatures). The project also explored through atomistic simulations whether 2nm-scale qubits could potentially operate at 300 Kelvin (room temperature).

What was actually demonstrated and tested?

The project delivered 20 total deliverables including 2 demo-category outputs: cryogenic measurement setups validated to 140 GHz at 4 Kelvin and to 110 GHz at 4 Kelvin. The team fabricated qubit structures in both commercial 22nm FDSOI and experimental 10nm processes.

Is there regulatory risk for quantum technologies?

Quantum computing technologies are subject to evolving export control regulations in the EU and internationally. Based on available project data, no specific regulatory barriers were identified, but companies should monitor dual-use technology regulations as quantum computing matures.

Consortium

Who built it

The IQubits consortium brings together 8 partners from 6 countries (Canada, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania), led by AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow, Poland. The mix includes 3 universities, 3 research institutes, and 2 industrial partners (25% industry ratio), with 1 SME in the group. This is a research-heavy consortium typical of FET Open projects, which signals early-stage technology. The industrial partners provide a pathway to eventual commercialization, particularly through access to CMOS foundry processes. The geographic spread across Europe and Canada indicates broad expertise but also means IP and commercialization discussions will involve multiple jurisdictions.

AKADEMIA GORNICZO-HUTNICZA IM. STANISLAWA STASZICA W KRAKOWIECoordinator · PL
AARHUS UNIVERSITETparticipant · DK
IDRYMA TECHNOLOGIAS KAI EREVNASparticipant · EL
CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHEparticipant · IT
MDLAB SRLparticipant · IT
INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETAREDEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIEparticipant · RO
THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTOparticipant · CA
APPLIED MATERIALS ITALIA SRLparticipant · IT

How to reach the team

AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow, Poland — search for the IQubits project lead in their electronics or physics department

Order a report on this consortium See AKADEMIA GORNICZO-HUTNICZA IM. STANISLAWA STASZICA W KRAKOWIE profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the IQubits research team? SciTransfer can connect you with the right people and provide a detailed technology brief tailored to your specific use case.

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