ETH Zurich and the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) establish a joint centre for the development of quantum computers. Its aim is to advance the realization of quantum computers based on both ion traps and superconducting components. ETH Zurich provides 32 million francs for this centre, which will host around 30 researchers.
“What is special about the Quantum Computing Hub is that these two technologies are explored in the same laboratory,” says Andreas Wallraff. While the hardware of ion and superconductor-based quantum computers is fundamentally different, he sees potential synergies, for example in the development of operating systems. ETH and PSI plan to leverage synergies as well: “At PSI, we have been working on industry-related quantum technology for some time. We also develop and use quantum technology for particle physics,” says Gabriel Aeppli, Head of the Photon Science Division at PSI. “The new hub that will be established now together with ETH Zurich is a great addition”. For the Quantum Computing Hub, PSI provides its know-how in the implementation of large-scale research projects as well as in cryo-electronics and nanofabrication and in extremely precise measurement methods at its large-scale research facilities. The Quantum Computing Hub will be located on the PSI campus in Villigen, Canton of Aargau. For this purpose, an existing building was converted specifically for research on quantum computers.
ETH Zurich is among the leading universities worldwide in quantum research. In total, more than two dozen professorships in six departments are active in the field at ETH. The quantum computers developed in the hub will be made available to researchers from various departments, to provide them with direct access to a test bed for two leading technologies. Putting the abstract phenomena of quantum mechanics to work in concrete applications requires not only physicists who investigate these phenomena theoretically and experimentally. Equally needed are engineers who deal, for instance, with electronics, nanofabrication, new materials or up-scaling, as well as computer scientists who develop the necessary programming platforms for using the new technologies.
Image: Helps with error correction: Superconducting quantum chip with 17 qubits installed in a mounting with 48 control lines.
(Photo: ETH Zurich/Quantum Device Lab)
Further reading:
ETHZ press releasePSI news
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