ECSEL JU Project MATQu

CMOS-based digital computing has giving rise to ever-greater computational performance, big-data based business models and the accelerating digital transformation of modern economies. However, the ever-growing amounts of data to be handled and the increasing complexity of today’s tasks for high performance computing (HPC) are becoming unmanageable, as the data handling and energy consumption of high-performance computers, server farms and cloud services grow to unsustainable levels. New concepts and technologies for high-performance computing (HPC) are necessary. 

One such HPC technology is Quantum Computing (QC). QC utilizes “quantum bits” (qbits) to perform complex calculations fundamentally much faster than a conventional digital-bit computer can. First demonstrators and quantum computer prototypes have been created using various types of quantum bits. Superconducting Josephson junctions (SJJs) have been shown to be extremely promising qbit candidates to achieve a significant, nonlinear increase of computational power with the number of qbits in a quantum computer. With respect to industrial market-introduction of novel materials, devices, and characterization, there is a great challenge yet opportunity in Europe to create a complete value chain for Josephson junction technology and QCs. Such a complete value chain will contribute to Europe’s technology sovereignty.

The MATQu project will validating technology options to produce SJJs on industrial 300 mm silicon-based process flows. It covers substrate technology, superconducting metals, resonator technology, through-wafer-via holes, 3D integration, and variability characterization. The substrate-, process- and test-compatibility will be assessed with respect to integration practices of qbits. Core substrate and process technologies with high quality factors, improved material deposition on large substrates, and increased critical temperature for superconducting operation, will be developed and validated. Concerning substrate technology, process technology and tools, MATQu brings together major European actors in the field, including four large RTOs. The MATQu partners complement each other in an optimal manner across the value chain to create a substantial competitive advantage, e.g., faster time-to-market and roll-out of technologies and materials for better Josephson junctions for quantum computing.