Imagine if the brain of a computer could talk to light signals without needing a clumsy translator. Most silicon chips can't 'see' or 'emit' light well, but this project uses a special new crystal structure of germanium and silicon that can. It's like giving a standard computer chip a set of eyes and a voice to communicate instantly using light.
Standard silicon is optically inactive, creating a bottleneck for integrating light-based communication and quantum processing on a single chip. This forces companies to use multiple materials and complex assembly processes.
A platform using hexagonal germanium-silicon (hex-GeSi) featuring spin qubits in quantum dots, spin-photon interfaces, and single-photon detectors for wavelengths beyond 2 micrometers.
If you are a hardware manufacturer dealing with the difficulty of connecting quantum bits to light signals — this project developed hex-GeSi spin-photon interfaces that allow light and electronics to work on the same chip. This enables faster and more scalable quantum processors.
If you are a foundry dealing with the inefficiency of indirect bandgap silicon for optoelectronics — this project developed a direct-bandgap hex-GeSi material. This allows the production of light-emitting components using existing silicon miniaturization roadmaps.
If you are a sensor developer dealing with the need for high-precision detection beyond 2 micrometers — this project developed single-photon detectors optimized for these specific wavelengths. This improves sensitivity for deep-infrared quantum applications.
Based on available project data, specific unit costs or implementation prices are not provided; however, the project is supported by a EUR 3,000,000 EU contribution.
The project aims for compatibility with standard silicon-based semiconductor technology, which allows it to benefit from established industry roadmaps for miniaturization and scalability.
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not mentioned, but the project involves a consortium of 7 partners including an SME and universities.
The hex-GeSi material is designed to be compatible with standard silicon-based semiconductor technology, facilitating easier integration into existing electronic workflows.
The project period runs from 2022-10-01 to 2026-09-30, suggesting that final results and validated prototypes will be available toward late 2026.
The consortium is heavily research-driven, consisting of 5 universities and 1 research organization, with only 1 SME (Single Quantum) representing a 14% industry ratio. This indicates the project is currently in a high-tech translation phase, moving from academic discovery to early industrial application across 4 European countries.
Contact Universiteit Twente (NL) for technical inquiries regarding hex-GeSi integration.
Contact us to explore licensing opportunities for hex-GeSi quantum structures.
