The first demonstrator of an ion trap quantum computer to be developed completely in Germany has been presented in Hamburg. At the DLR QCI Innovation Centre in Hamburg, the symbolic start button for “QSea I” was recently pressed together with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Work is already under way on “QSea II”.

The developer consortium, whose members include Professor Alexander Kölpin and Professor Hoc Khiem Trieu from Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), is working on hardware that will enable research into the fundamentals of quantum computing and thus contribute to a better understanding of this technology and the development of applications for it. Tutech is involved in this consortium on behalf of TUHH as a subcontractor of eleQtron, which is being spearheaded by NXP as consortium leader. Also involved is Professor Riedinger from the University of Hamburg, whose contribution is being organised through our sister company Hamburg Innovation GmbH organisiert wird.

The academic research

Institute of High-Frequency Technology IHF, TUHH, Prof. Alexander Kölpin: A scalable solution for microwave signal generation for quantum computers is being developed and validated. In a further development of a highly scalable quantum computer, two work packages are being carried out: a scalable solution for microwave signal generation is being developed and an exploratory study on microwave coupling of quantum processors. This will be followed by validation under laboratory conditions in the target system and evaluation of the results.

Institute of Microsystems Technology MST, TUHH, Prof. Hoc Khiem Trieu: Use of integrated optical technologies for register-based ion trap quantum computers. Current quantum computers usually consist of arrays of trapped ions whose quantum states are controlled by alternating electric fields and lasers of different wavelengths. The Institute of Microsystems Technology is involved in feasibility studies and offers services in the following areas for the possible scaling of quantum computers with integrated optical technologies: Chip design and optical simulations, microfabrication for integrated optical chips/wafers, optical metrology and characterisation.

Institute for Quantum Physics, University of Hamburg (UHH), Prof. Dr. Ralf Riedinger: The highly scalable quantum computer is being developed at the Institute of Laser Physics at the UHH – concepts and prototypes for coupling spatially separate quantum processors. The optical resonator developed for this purpose is characterised by low electrostatic interference fields. The photonic coupling concept is compared with alternative approaches. The most promising coupling structure will be adapted, further developed, tested and evaluated for integration into processor modules. 

Further information on “QSea II” can be found at https://qci.dlr.de/qsea-ii/