UltraFastNano · Project

Ultrafast Picosecond Electronics for Next-Generation Quantum Devices and Precision Measurement

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Imagine sending a single electron through a tiny wire and controlling it with a pulse lasting just one trillionth of a second — that's a thousand times faster than what most quantum technologies can do today. This team built a platform to create, steer, and catch individual electrons at that incredible speed inside semiconductor chips cooled to near absolute zero. Think of it like learning to throw and catch a single ball at the speed of light, inside a chip smaller than your fingernail. The end goal is a "flying quantum bit" — a building block for quantum computing that travels through a circuit instead of sitting still.

By the numbers

~1000x

Speed advantage over conventional quantum technologies (picosecond vs nanosecond)

10 mK

Operating temperature (cryogenic)

Consortium partners

Countries involved (DE, FR, SE, UK)

50%

Industry ratio in consortium

Total project deliverables

The business problem

What needed solving

Current quantum technologies hit a wall at nanosecond speeds — decoherence destroys quantum states before devices can finish their operations. Meanwhile, precision electrical measurement struggles to reach single-electron accuracy at high speeds. Industries building next-generation quantum hardware and ultra-precise instruments need electronics that operate orders of magnitude faster than what exists today.

The solution

What was built

The team built a platform for creating, manipulating, and detecting single-electron excitations at picosecond timescales in semiconductor chips at cryogenic temperatures. They delivered 8 project outputs including a technology showcase demonstrating new ultrafast pulse technology, working toward the first electronic flying quantum bit and beyond state-of-the-art ampere measurement.

Audience

Who needs this

Quantum computing hardware companies developing new qubit architecturesSemiconductor test equipment manufacturers needing picosecond-resolution instrumentsNational metrology institutes upgrading electrical current standardsOptoelectronic device makers converting between electronic and photon pulsesCryogenic electronics companies serving quantum and space applications

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Semiconductor Equipment

enterprise

Target: Companies developing ultrafast test and measurement instruments for chip manufacturing

If you are a semiconductor equipment maker dealing with the limits of current electronic testing speeds — this project developed picosecond-scale electronic sources and detectors operating at the single-electron level. Their technology showcase demonstrated ultrafast pulse technology that could push your instrument resolution from nanoseconds to picoseconds, almost three orders of magnitude faster.

Quantum Computing Hardware

any

Target: Startups and companies building quantum processor architectures

If you are a quantum hardware company struggling with decoherence times that limit your qubit operations — this project pioneered an electronic flying quantum bit approach that operates at the picosecond scale, roughly three orders of magnitude faster than competing quantum technologies. With 6 partners across 4 countries and 2 SMEs already in the consortium, the building blocks for solid-state quantum communication are taking shape.

Precision Metrology

mid-size

Target: National measurement institutes and calibration equipment manufacturers

If you are a metrology company needing more accurate electrical current standards — this project targeted beyond state-of-the-art metrological measurement of the ampere using controlled single-electron transport at picosecond timescales. Their platform for manipulating quasi-particle excitations at the single-electron level in semiconductor heterostructures could redefine how electrical standards are calibrated.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would this technology cost to license or integrate?

Based on available project data, no pricing or licensing terms are disclosed. This is a FET Open research project (FETOPEN-01-2018-2019-2020), meaning it targeted breakthrough science rather than near-market products. Any commercialization would likely require additional development investment and licensing negotiations with CNRS and consortium partners.

Can this scale to industrial production volumes?

Not yet. The technology operates at cryogenic temperatures of 10 millikelvin and targets single-electron manipulation at the picosecond scale. Industrial scaling would require significant engineering to move from laboratory demonstrations to manufacturable devices. The project's 1 technology showcase deliverable indicates early-stage demonstration, not production readiness.

What is the IP situation and who owns the results?

The project was coordinated by CNRS (France) with 6 partners across 4 countries. Under standard Horizon 2020 rules, IP belongs to the partner that generated it, with consortium agreements governing shared results. Two SMEs participated, suggesting some commercial interest in the IP from the start.

How does this compare to existing quantum computing approaches?

The key differentiator is speed. Most quantum technologies operate at the nanosecond scale; UltraFastNano operates at the picosecond scale — almost three orders of magnitude faster. Instead of stationary qubits, they pioneered flying quantum bits that propagate through electronic devices, offering a fundamentally different architecture.

What was actually demonstrated by project end?

The project delivered 8 total deliverables including a technology showcase demonstrating new ultrafast pulse technology. They aimed to unlock two major bottlenecks: a picosecond on-demand coherent single particle source and single-shot detection of propagating excitations at the discrete charge level.

Is there regulatory approval needed for these devices?

Based on available project data, the technology is at the fundamental research stage and no specific regulatory requirements are mentioned. Future metrology applications would need alignment with international measurement standards bodies. Quantum computing applications would follow standard semiconductor industry regulations.

Who are the industrial partners and what is their role?

The consortium includes 3 industry partners (2 of which are SMEs) alongside 1 university and 2 research organizations, giving a 50% industry ratio. Partners span 4 countries: Germany, France, Sweden, and the UK, with complementary expertise in nano-fabrication, microwave electronics, cryogenics, and software engineering.

Consortium

Who built it

The UltraFastNano consortium of 6 partners across 4 countries (Germany, France, Sweden, UK) is notably balanced for a fundamental research project, with a 50% industry ratio — 3 industry partners including 2 SMEs alongside 1 university and 2 research organizations. Coordination by CNRS, France's largest public research institution, provides strong scientific credibility. The inclusion of 2 SMEs signals early commercial interest in the technology, though the FET Open funding scheme indicates this is still exploratory. The 4-country spread across major European research economies ensures diverse expertise in quantum nanoelectronics, nano-fabrication, microwave electronics, and cryogenics.

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRSCoordinator · FR
NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITEDparticipant · UK
COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESparticipant · FR
NEXTNANO GMBHparticipant · DE
CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOGSKOLA ABparticipant · SE

How to reach the team

CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), France — reach out through their technology transfer office CNRS Innovation

Order a report on this consortium See CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore how picosecond electronics or flying qubit technology could apply to your measurement or quantum computing challenges? SciTransfer can arrange an introduction to the research team.

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