NSF funds Syracuse research on cold control chips to cut quantum computer heat

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One of the less glamorous problems in quantum computing is heat from all the cables. Quantum Zeitgeist reports that the National Science Foundation is funding research at Syracuse University, led by assistant professor Ethan Arnault, to put control and readout electronics on the same chip as superconducting qubits

Superconducting quantum computers need many microwave cables running down into the dilution refrigerator, and each cable brings in heat. As systems grow, the wiring becomes a serious obstacle, so moving some electronics onto the cold chip could reduce the load

The project aims to develop Josephson parametric amplifier bolometers that detect single microwave photons in the 4 to 8 gigahertz range and reset within nanoseconds. They would use multi terminal Josephson circuits and include a graphene component

Arnault said the underlying physics of multi terminal Josephson circuits has been well worked through by the device physics community. The grant comes from NSF's Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems division, the award amount was not disclosed, and these are research goals rather than results

Wiring is one of the main reasons superconducting systems are hard to scale, so on chip control is an important research direction. Single photon detection with fast reset would also help with faster readout. It is early work, but exactly the kind of engineering the field needs

How big a problem is wiring for scaling quantum computers? And will control electronics move inside the fridge?

National Science Foundation Funds Cold Control Chips For Quantum Computer Growth Without Overheatingquantumzeitgeist.com

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Single photon detection with nanosecond reset would be impressive. Fast readout is crucial for error correction cycles

Slow measurement holds everything back. This could help. Graphene brings interesting properties to the design