Trapped ion quantum computing
Taking quantum computing to the next level

Trapped ion quantum computing

Infineon ion traps accelerate the development of quantum computers

Infineon ion traps enable scientists and start-ups to focus on their core tasks by providing a predictable, advanced and reliable platform.

  • We help in bringing a meaningful and powerful trapped-ion quantum computer (TIQC) to life to solve the optimization problems that have been waiting for decades to be solved. 
  • We help our academic partners to focus on what they do best: Push the boundaries of science and research. 
  • We help our startup partners to focus on what they do best: Find new ways and integrate them into a successful and winning system.
Infineon image trapped ion on a chip quantum computing

Ion trap on carrier - IQuest stands for Infineon quantum enabling solution and technology. It is the internal project designation for our trapped-ion hardware.  

Taking quantum computing to the next level

Predictable, repeatable, reliable - Infineon ion traps

We know how to industrialize and combine novel materials and technologies. Infineon traps and trap designs are predictable, repeatable and reliable. We’re paving the road towards thousands of qubits by working with our partners on cryogenic control electronics and optics integration.

Infineon image trapped ion chips golden color

Cutting-edge trapped-ion research at Infineon Villach

At our Villach fab we are capable of working with wafer diameters from 6 to 12 inch, many different substrates, and a broad variety of process materials.

Therefore, we can meet the particular needs of trapped ion quantum processors in terms of substrate materials, metal properties, and surface conditioning, supporting our academic partners in pushing the boundaries of science and research. 

Infineon image chips scalable design manufacturing production

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Learn more about trapped ions and quantum computing

What are trapped ions?

Single ions are created by local ionization of neutral atoms, for example Ca, Ba or Be. Since ions are charged, they are controllable by electric fields and can be used for fundamental research as atomic clocks, sensors or for quantum computing.

Trapped ion benefits include

  • Highest gate fidelities
  • Full connectivity between qubits
  • Longest coherence time
  • Most entangled qubits: 24*
  • Moderate temperature: 10K
  • Shuttling capability

What is trapped ion quantum computing?

Infineon trapped ion measurements

In a trapped ion quantum computer (TIQC)  the qubits are implemented using charged atoms in a cryogenic vacuum. The ion, for example Ca+, Ba+ or Be+, is captured with DC and RF fields and manipulated with lasers or microwaves. 

The qubit is defined by the electron‘s quantum-mechanical state: the ground state is defined as a logical 1, the qubit laser or a microwave pulse elevates the electron into an excited state to implement a logical 0.

Then after the calculations or gate operations have been performed, the resulting state of the qubit has to be read. That is done by employing the readout laser to elevate the electron to a higher electron orbit from which it will immediately decay and emit one photon that can be detected. Since the readout laser is tuned to excite the ground state, detected photons indicate that the qubit was a logical 1 before the readout.

Trapped ion shuttling

Shuttling of ions provides the means to bring arbitrary combinations of qubits together for calculations. Therefore, it constitutes an important ingredient towards large-scale trapped-ion quantum processors.

Employing Infineon’s ion trap chip, scientists at the University of Innsbruck have been the first to demonstrate parallel shuttling of two ion chains.

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Still shot of ion array shuttling

(C) University of Innsbruck

Learn more about Infineon's activities in trapped ion quantum computing

What's next?

So far, Infineon ion traps with a storage capacity of 18 ions have demonstrated parallel shuttling of two ion-arrays. In order to arrive at high qubit counts of 100 or more, it’s all about scalability and further improving stability. Physics has come a long way. With each step we take in scaling, we have to solve the myriad of engineering challenges that come with it. We’re working with our academic and start-up partners on cryogenic control electronics and optics integration to pave the road towards thousands of qubits.

Find out more about quantum computing
Infineon image quantum computing and post quantum cryptography

Socket, Trap Modules (QPM)

Trapped ions - Ionenfalle

To enable fast progress, the ion trap on carrier is installed into the ion trap socket as a defined and stable element to be in turn mounted into the cryostat or vacuum chamber. Fast-paced evolution will happen on the ion trap chip, whilst the socket will only evolve slowly.

To facilitate scaling, the ion trap on carrier will evolve into a Quantum Processing Module (QPM) that integrates control electronics and optics. Some of the electronic components currently positioned on the socket PCB will integrate onto the QPM. Our socket has been successfully employed by our academic partners.

Cryo Electronics

Infineon package VQFN-40

To move to higher numbers of qubits, the integration of control electronics into the QPM is essential. This includes Digital-to-Analogue-Converters (DACs) and other components. The DACs are the most obvious:  As with increasing qubit count, more of the electrodes that trap and move the ions are needed, and their voltages have to be generated close to the ion trap. Therefore, these components will have to operate at a temperature of around 10K.